This is the finished color coat of a large home.
Dead Weight and or dead load on a house before stucco, does it matter? Absolutely!
Read on for a 10 minute explanation that took 30 years to learn.
Dead weight before plastering, boring topic but if you’re a homeowner builder it’s important to understand proper working orders of dead weight,so that you may work closer in harmony with your contractor who may not know these facts, I didn’t, as they take many years in to learn and really understand.
Hello everyone, Because of the over 500 plastering video that my sons and I have completed on real homes for real homeowners and contractors, I am e-mailed a universal question almost daily, (CRACKING STUCCO).
I am asked daily if I have time to look at pictures to try and determine if a plastering contractor such as myself could be at fault for these typical and normal hairline cracking that appears in the majority of newly and existing stucco clad homes.
Without seeing a home, I usually ask what stages the roofs, sheetrock, decks and or any structural beams or even decorative beams were installed.
Old Kirk, says that the roofs if tile, should at least be stacked on a roof (dead weight settling purposes)
The sheetrock should be installed prior too, (again weight as well as much hammering to set the sheets).
Most sheet rockers usually say they will just use screws then the rockers hammer their set nails which cause vibrations and movement on the exterior wall,thus cracking.
Next they are the decks, these should be attached weather by nails or screws as they also cause movement and more dead weight to a structure.
There are many more cause of hairline cracking that can and usually does occur in stucco walls including rain for months which often lifts the ground only a hair or two but this is also a leading reason in hairline cracking in stucco walls.
Then theres wind, traffic, while the list goes on and on.
What I’m getting at after well over 30 years and many homes, Two featured on magazines covers and one in a movie, Yes I have had both in the past happen, no glory so I’m not bragging just trying to make a point that there are many reasons why newly completed stucco home hairlines.
The good news is its normal and won’t compromise the integrity of the stucco.
And of course some plastering contractor suck, there are tired teachers, plumbers, electricians and of corse stucco guys.
The best preventive maintenance is to research and work together to do all necessary to minimize this common issue.
Of course you can purchase a wood home and never have any issues with hairline cracks with your exterior wood walls.
Once more because it’s important, homeowners work with your plastering contractor so that the “dead Load” is already in place prior to the application of the base coat, your new finish coat will thank you.
Thanks for reading, if you have other questions feel free to write as I have more answers.
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
Please, also see our web site at http://www.StuccoPlastering.com
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