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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stucco geek
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.
I'm not clear. Are you saying don't put the ext concrete on until all the OTHER dead weights is on cuz if you put scaffolding on it for stuccoing you'll crack it. And be liable)?
Morning MrBleggo, your not alone with a bit of confusion as it's a complicated subject. The point I was trying to make was prior to the application of the stucco base coat and it finish coat was, all or most of the load bearing weight, such as roofs, especially tile, sheetrock and decks should be in place allowing the home to settle with extra weight. I used the concrete platform as an example of added weight of scaffold to try and prove a point, I may have confused my point to many not familiar with load bearing weight.It is rare for a platform so thick to crack with staging and men on this staging, my point was if a foot thick cracks with added weight, movement or dead weight, what will an inch of stucco do under similar situations? The concrete sidewalks and or surrounding walkways can be completed and usually are when the foundation is poured to save on a second trip, it railly does crack especially if there are expansion joints cut in deep and a screed separating the concrete from the foundation which also acts as an expansion joint.Still confused? if so it is complicated! Best wishes,Kirk and Jason's DIY plastering tips
OK, I.m in agreement: dead weight on the building, then scaffold up on dirt, stucco on, concrete exterior pad install last so as not to hairline crack it. Thanks.
Morning Mr Bleggo, having the concrete poured afterwards is not really what I'm suggesting, as some new homes have it poured without any hairline cracking. However I feel it would be best, but more difficult in cost as now two trips and a concrete pump may be required. These kinds of cost add up. What happened to this patio also has many different reasons, rain, weight and such. I am not an expert on poured concrete, however, I simply used this slab as an example as it was there, while I was trying to explain a point on hairlines in stucco finishes. There will be some folks that will agree and some that won't depends on the prep work for concrete.Remember, old Kirk is an experience licensed Plastering contractor for over 30 years but not an engineer. Best wishes,Kirk and Jason's DIY plastering tips
It matters. I put vinyl siding on a new house years ago during the winter and before Sheetrock was installed. I had to go back and fix panels that had unlocked due to the building settling from the Sheetrock weight
Evening Chris Callaghan, You're sooo right, I only tell folks that I'm working for the reasoning of the dead weight, otherwise I get that look like "Dude, you nerdy geek, get a life!I do prefer this look as opposed to coming back and trying to explain why I failed to explain (dead Weight) when it mattered. Best wishes and thanks for watching, The stucco geek
pat yourself on the back a little, that is a good looking job there.
Thank you Nate, I do tend to be serious about my work.
Giordano’s stucco and plaster solutions
this is way your one of thee best you think out side the box and that house looks real well
Hello Big Mac, you and I have to guarantee all of our work so It's important to understand what we're getting ourselves into.Cheers, and have a Fantastic New Year! Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips