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facts about Cracking in a stucco walls, reasons why stucco cracks

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facts about Cracking in a stucco walls, read below for more reasons.
reasons why stucco cracks

Hello everyone, in this video I am sharing some other reasons on what causes cracks in new and or existing stucco or plaster walls.
Most common, settling if it’s a newly built home, within two months.
It could also be that the plywood and the studs are heating expanding and or twisting.
In hot areas the wall can get to 140 degree’s if the plywood is not gaped for the expansion the heat will expand the wood thereby expanding the stucco, This action can’t be measured by eye, but stucco, and concrete are sort of like glass, they may flex a tiny bit but to much flex they both crack.
To eliminate this theory, look at the sides that rarely get lots of heat and or the all day sunshine to see if this is going on the shady sides as well.
Also did they take the stucco to the ground?
The weep screed should not be buried or embedded by concrete walkways and or driveways.
If you have have heavy windows or doors that when they shut can create vibrations?
A home built on a hill, with lots of heavy traffic.
If it get real hot then get cold at night. Serious temperature changes.
If it’s really hot say 105 degree’s outside does your air conditioner stay on?
Cracks in your foundation clear indication the home is settling, or shifting.
These are the tip of the iceberg of situations that can contribute, plus your contractor might have missed stapling the lath into the studs or could have used short staples.

Thanks for watching and have a fantastic day!
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
http://www.StuccoPlastering.com
reasons why stucco cracks
Plaster geek, stucco nerd, need a life stucco man

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    • @BlackSwan912 Evening BlackSwan dude, yes, the story was misinterpreted and snowballed a bit more bizarre each time it passed from person to person.
      The story I told makes little to no sense, so I thought I would repeat it for kicks.

      Best wishes and have a fantastic day.
      Kirk giordano

      Reply

  2. I think that that wall not cracking because it they missed a stud, just must of been of the green lumber. If your studs to too wet, and you wrap, more shrinkage will occur causing cracking. When I build, I like to let the frame dry out as much as possible. Second, I do the same for my scratch coat and brown coat. I let the scratch sit for as long as my project will all and let it crack as much as possible, and mist daily till I brown coat. Do the same for the Brown. then texture.

    Sure this cracks, but it reduces them. How long do you recommend for curing time for each coat, Kirk? And further, what is your opinion on adding luminite for a hardening/faster drying time of the texture?

    Reply

    • @Jose Macias Evening Jose, I usual allow the scratch to cure a minimum of two days with lot of hydration, the brown at least two weeks sometimes up to 3 to 4 in winter, again with hydration.
      As far as luminite at 60 bucks for a 94 pound bag it great for us contractors as it set the cement plaster fast and usually without hairline cracking, but it gets old, what work when you buy and first use, you have to use twice to 4 times as it gets old.
      Plus this additive takes a lot of practice.

      have a fantastic day!
       Kirk Giordano Plastering tips

      Reply

  3. Hi kirk been watching some of your vids great work, i live in the uk but i noticed you use a long bucket scoop can you give me any details of the one you use.Thanks Justin

    Reply

    • @macplastering Big Mac Plastering, I guess you're right now that I'm back from a 3 week visit to England with me wife visiting her relatives, can't have our subscribing thinking I may have a life away from stucco. Best wishes and damn, we sure have made a lot of these videos, when you going to start spreading the love with these how to video's? Then I won't have to hustle as much. Kirk giordano

      Reply

    • @Kirk & Jason Giordanos DIY plastering and stucco tips oh hope you guys had fun 🙂 yea wow you guys got a lot of great videos I did my very 1st how to video on patching holes. most times I get stuck into the job and before I remember to hit record I have either near finished or finished 🙂

      Reply

  5. We bed 1 metre wide fibreglass mesh in to our base coat and double it up on stress points (at 4 corners of windows and above doors)  It really minimises the cracking and gives extra piece of mind..

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  6. I think the reason the stucco wall not attached to studs cracked less was due to less stress transfer. Most studs supporting stucco are load bearing. Load bearing studs support loads and are subject to stresses. That stress is transferred to the cement stucco. As Kirk noted, code requires lath ( supporting stucco) to be attached to the studs. I also like his comment that an "occasional" staple between studs to hold down a random bulge is not an issue. I agree.

    Reply

    • Good Evening Mr. Mark Fowler, there you have it, folks, straight from the man who wrote the book on stucco.
      Mark is also the executive director for two National Trade Associations, Editorial Director for Walls and Ceilings Magazine, Past Committee Chairman for MITC (Minimum Industry Training Criteria) for California Apprenticeship of Plaster Tenders and Plaster.
      Best wishes,
      Sharing stucco secrets and or common sense plastering tips

      Reply

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