Foundation bottom, stucco over foundation bricks cinder or concrete blocks.
Stucco over cinder or concrete blocks.
Hello ambitious guys and gals, who wish to learn how to apply stucco over foundation bricks, cinder block, or concrete foundation, Jason and I are showing a wide variety of ways.
With a bit of attention and interest, you can connect the dots to understand the basic principles and techniques of stucco and or plastering.
This know-how can be used to save you some dough.
Or if you do the work yourself, your physical efforts will help create a sense of euphoria, which provides a peaceful night’s sleep knowing, “Yeah, Baby,” I did this stucco, rendering or plaster repair yourself.
What more does a righteous person wish?
Ole Kirk says material knowledge is 70% of being a well-rounded plasterer,
The other 30% is application.
We can render or apply stucco from ½ inch to 6 inches thick with the suitable cement plaster material.
This application repairs damaged bricks, cinder blocks, or concrete that has deteriorated.
Caution: don’t’ attempt this yourself (just kidding)
The Cement Plaster we used on this foundation repair has a PSI strength of 4,700 PSI.
When cured, most walkways, foundations, and streets have between 3,000 to 3,500 PSI strength.
The cement plaster we applied is also used for bridges in the U.S. That’s strong stuff.
But unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive cement plaster sold at close to 40 dollars a bag compared to 10 dollars for ordinary Portland cement plaster.
Excellent tip: subscribers on our channel with a question, type it into our channel, and like magic, a video will appear to explain how it’s done.
This feature is miles ahead of any plastering forum.
Next, kick back, relax, and enjoy the video!
Oh yeah, don’t forget to save the world, like and subscribe. It’s not only good karma, but It also makes you feel warm and fuzzy all over.
Feel free to check out our recommended tools on our Amazon website below.
Kirk Giordano Plastering Inc.
https://www.StuccoPlastering.com/ My website and contact information
https://www.GiordanoPlastering.com/ MY son, Jason’s Website
Kirk & Jason Giordano’s worldwide online free teaching stucco channel.
Thank you all for watching, and wishing all a great day!
Hi pvhtsh, you can buy Dry Vit at Cal ply located in Hayward, Google how to apply dry vit to see how it's done. I take it you’re in the Bay Area?
Best wishes and have a groovy day!
Kirk Giordano plastering
I want to fill-in and unify the look of a foundation. I want to coat it all in a stucco/skim coat. I have a number of substrates: Quickwall (over blocks where there was no wall), the edge of an old slab (that I tried to strip the paint off of for days but it left a residue), brick (covered in Quickwall), and block that I had to strip paint off of. My first attempt at covering it has failed. It peeled off of the slab and block. Would you do metal lathe or something like Weld Crete and admix?
By the way, great videos, I just didn't have room in my question to say thanks in advance.
Hi John Puskar-Pasewicz, I would recommend first knocking of any loose and large sections with a hammer than equally important pressure wash with a minimum of 3,000 psi., any remaining pieces and ALL DUST. I would use a bonding agent then apply as many coats same day as necessary to fill out. You might want to scratch as what I am saying takes practice.
Thanks for watching a have a good evening!
Kirk Giordano plastering
Hi John Puskar-Pasewicz, thank you. In reply to your original question.
My years in the trade allow me the luxury to do a task such as this in a day,
I would recommend up to three coats on different days for a person without at least 10 years handling tools and or lacking the knowledge of all the different cements.
Again thanks for watching a have a good evening!
Kirk Giordano plastering
you are a true pro do yourself a favor wear some eye protection/ peace
Howdy Hank, I here you brother, thanks for the tip,
Usually I always wear a back brace, eye glasses and a dust masks when working but when I explaining on video I will often remove these.
Best wishes and have a great rest of your day!
Kirk Giordano plastering
Howdy lallenh, you remind of the way I was brought up, we’d talked smack to each other, then fought like the tough, skilled, brutal fighters the neighborhood produced, than laugh like hell afterwards.
I’m real impressed you have a picture of yourself with your constant criticism.
The real glory is not who’s the BEST, it’s the folks calling us back with referrals for other projects.
Have a groovy day!
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Good evening lallenh, still flexing I see, and now you’ve blown my cover which means you must be the Real Macoy, Plus a big meanie, your right! Somebody else actually does my plastering for me then I explain off the keycards. So What!
Perhaps, you a real plasterer will enlighten us and show us pesky wannabes how the big boys do it!
Best wishes and have a groovy evening.
Kirk Giordano plastering
Hi Kirk, I notice in some of the videos where you are stuccoing over original brick that you apply the plaster right down to ground level (right on top of the grass or dirt). Doesn't there need to be a 6-8 inch gap between grade level and the bottom of the stucco to prevent moisture and insects from getting into the stucco?
Howdy Mike. The weep or drip screed code went into effect in I think about 1976. We were still taking the stucco down years later as I did what I was told when I when I first joined the trade, from the late 1970s early to 1980s. Todays codes ask for 6 inches ground clearance, we sometimes need to mix codes with cosmetics. A screed would not have been applicable on this home.
Best wishes and thanks for watching.
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Hi Kirk, just thought I would drop a line to say thanks from the UK for taking the time to post these videos, they are fun to watch and easy to understand, benefits us non plasterers to see a professional like yourself share the knowledge you have gained over the past 20 odd years, the odd little hint and tip gleaned from one of your vids can make a BIG difference in our own little DIY projects…thanks Kirk, hope you keep busy with work and you have a 'groovy evening'…ha love it;o)
Oh by the way just rise above sad and pathetic people like lallenh1, he has one BIG chip on his shoulder, where is his YouTube channel? How many videos has he posted which have reached over 75000 views, why has he subscribe to your channel and then publicly trash some of your videos. There is word for people like this and it is 'SAD'. Lallenh1 just keep your sorry jealousy to yourself and let people like Kirk help other people out there…oh by the way you might want to get a life bro…peace
Hi forgottenvoices, thank you very much.
As my son Jason says since we have to do the work anyhow, why not show the proper way to those who are not in our trade and wish to see how it's completed?
I agree Jason knows how to video does not mind uploading them and works with me too, sometimes.
Thanks for watching and have a good evening
Kirk Giordano plastering
Hi forgottenvoices, thanks again,
Fact is I don’t mind lallenh, in fact I think I’m starting to like him.
He reminds me of a fella a few years ago who would criticize me on Craigslist, because I posted adds there and still do. I happened to meet him at a job and we become friends, I simply said I’m hustling to make a living and there no shame in that, let’s work together. We do and it works better than jealousy and envy.
Thanks for watching and have a good evening,
Kirk Giordano plastering
Cool, but how did the foundation get like that in the first place?
ello valenvid, my own house was built in 1897, on a brick foundation. Brick foundations are extremely common.
They are not up to today’s code requirement, but I’m happy with my home and have lived here over 25 years.
Thanks for watching and have a great day!
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Why are you using a pool trowel? Don't you lose a ton of mud off of your trowel as you apply your material? I tried using a pool trowel to run finish once because I thought it would eliminate trowel marks, but I was losing a ton of finish off my trowel.
I noticed you weren't using a scarfer on your scratch coats.
Good evening Nick, I looked up scarfer on Google and don’t recognize its meaning.
Do you mean scratcher?
If so I didn’t need to scratch each coat even though we applied many and went close to 6 inches thick on this brick foundation to bring it true and level.
I used Eisenwall cement plaster and never allowed the coats to completely dry.
Thanks for watching and have a good night.
Kirk Giordano plastering
Evening Nick, I personally like the swimming pool trowels, I rarely drop any mud with whatever trowels I use out of habit.
Thanks for watching and have a good night.
Kirk Giordano plastering
What is it exactly about the pool trowel that you like? I've worked around a ton of plasterers and I never saw anyone use one to spread mud. Not being critical, you obviously know what you're doing, your work is top notch. I'm assuming it's to eliminate trowel lines because that's what lead me to try using one.
I spelled it wrong… it's spelled "scarifier".
Do you do a lot of EIFS or is your work mostly conventional stucco? We do very little conventional anymore. I'd say close to 90%of our exterior jobs are all EIFS.
Couldn't agree more with everything you said. We're in the same boat here in Ohio. Work has been slow for the last couple years. A man is meant to get up in the morning, put his work boots on and go to work. Of couse we all have to work to pay for the necessities in life, but for me, and it sounds like you too, it's goes far beyond just the money. Work makes a man feel useful, gives your life purpose. It connects you to the world. I feel cutoff when I'm laid-off.Oh well, could always be worse.
Hi Nick, I looked up the word Scarifier.
It shows what we call a scratcher here in the U.S. where you form pal?
Best wishes and thanks for watching
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Hi Nick, I do mostly conventional plastering here in California where I live.
When I use a union Plasterer 25 years ago we did mainly commercial stuff with the IFIS, We mainly used The Dry- Vit stucco system which was originally from Europe I believe. The unison shops I worked for did lots of hospitals and schools at that time.
Best wishes and thanks for watching
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Hi Nick, That’s an easy question, it flexes extremely well. All my square trowels from my 12X5 to my 18X5 don’t flex much, All my swimming pool trowel flex big time and will go and do whatever my wrists says.
(Thinner blades)
I do receive a few comments saying I’m no plasterer as I use the wrong trowel!
Best wishes and thanks for watching
Kirk Giordano Plastering
Evening Nick, I here you brother, I’m happiest when I’m doing what I like best, without violating anyone rights but instead earning honest money for our efforts.
Best wishes and have a good evening
Kirk Giordano Plastering
I'm from the far away land of Ohio. The first plaster contractor I ever worked for called it a scarifier. That's where I picked up the term. Anyway, thanks for responding so quickly and keep up the great work. Hope things pick up.
Evening Nick, it was a good tip for me.
Best wishes and have a great day.
Kirk Giordano plastering
I will be honest man i have never seen a trowel as big as that for rendering with, it will damage your arms and shoulders, you need a smaller trowel dude!!
Hi Thin Lissy, that trowel is my medium size one I have a 20X5 I also use.
It's been over 35 years now my right arm is as strong as it's ever been.
I subscribe to the term "use it or lose it"
That being said I recommend for homeowners a simple 12X5 which they advise you to bring in apprentice school to learn with.
Here in the U.S.back in 1980 I had to go to apprentice school for 4 years before receiving journeyman wages.
Best wishes,
kirk and family
@StuccoPlastering Yes i had to do 3 years apprenticeship now 19 years later and still learning! but we use a different type of plaster here in UK and most trowels are 14×5 for applying cement and skim or 17×5 for finishing skim!! with the plaster we use a high amount of pressure is needed for the typical smooth sharp finish on inside walls over a cement backing coat… I don't know if you have ever dashed with stones in a backing coat using a hand dasher! Its a very nice finish, no maintenance ever! all types of stones and colour! I COULD HELP YOU BRING IT TO THE STATES AND START A TREND!! I am serious IT COULD BE EXCELLENT BUSINESS… I live in N.Ireland and we work very hard and have a good standard in plastering! I had a company with around 25 30 guys until the boom bust happened! AM going to Chicago in two weeks to do route 66 can't wait i love america so much and would fucking love to work there am only 36 i did work in Boston 1998 loved it!
Hi Thin Lizzy from N. Ireland also nice to hear from plasterers from afar. No doubt you work hard to hard steel trowel with a 17X5 is no joke. I had about 14 guys working with me while I had my pump but sold that beast years ago.
These days I just work with my sons and a few guys.
best wishes,
kirk and family
I will be joining your team soon mate! lol i love america been there so many times and would love to live there although i do enjoy slightly longer holidays here in Ireland even though the wages are now shit due to forced austerity(fascism) cuts cuts cuts thats all we hear about, don't know what the work situation is like where you are at though!
Hi Thin Lizzy, it's o.k. here, I admit I get a bit more work because of our youtube video's.
These video's tell folks that we know what were doing as most folks are nervous about who they hire and they should be.
I have hired a few hacks myself over the years and have now learned to google a fellas business to see if he has bad reviews or folks like his style.
cheers mate.
kirk and Jason giordano
I have an older home made in 1977 with a cinder block foundation basement. Due to settling there are many cracks and although they were sealed and have not leaked in over 10 years I was thinking of hiding the cracks both inside and outside with stucco. Is this a good idea or not?
Hi n00bBagHead, Yes, you can do this skim coat of cement plaster.
Or you can simply caulk these cracks with the proper quality caulking that are available then paint.
The caulking is flexible so It is a faster and better alternative.
best wishes,
Kirk & Jason Giordano's DIY plastering network
Kirk I have a question nobody seems to know the answer. My foundation has 2" of foam on it so the foundation is 1 1/2 inches out from the wall. I want to stucco both the foundation foam and the entire house. How do I connect the two?
Alan
Evening Laurie Maynes or Alan, easy question, as I have applied the Drv-Vit stucco system many times and a few other styrofoam systems as well. I stuccoed a gas stations about 20 years ago with the 1 1/2 inch foam also with the stucco it came to 2 inches.
All the products come from alta, now known as Westside building materials. They would know if this system is still available.
The system which includes 1 1/2 inch foam begins with plywood framing, a person first applies a metal weep screed that is set for 2 inches then applies two layers waterproof paper then the 1 1/2 inch sheets of styrofoam are attached, you then attach metal wire lath and stucco a half inch thick.
This system is good for high rises which don't want a lot of weight or commercial projects, however I don't recommend it for a residential home.
I would go with a conventional 3 coat stucco system if I were you. Send me a picture so I can get a better idea of what you have to begin with. kirk4stucco@gmail.com
Best wishes,
Kirk & Jason Giordano's DIY plaster and stucco channel
Worthless video as far as being instructional. Total waste of time that could hasve been spent screwing it up myself. Sorry guy , video taught me squat.
Howdy dude, sorry we failed you, or did we?
Best wishes.
Kirk giordano plastering
Even though he listed some great products, some of the mistakes people make while using them, etc…. Yep, must be a total loss… #TrollsWillBeTrolls haha
Hello scottytohotty77,
?
Cheers, and have a Fantastic day! Kirk Giordano’s DIY plastering tips
Kirk you are brilliant…I'm not a builder but like doing diy and love watching your vids…its just a shame they're not longer..keep up the good work and maybe you'll get spotted and get a TV deal….stay lucky my friend……
I'm mark from across the pond
Hi Mark from across the pond, I like your attitude,
Thank you for the cool comment.
Will try and make them a bit longer.
Kirk giordano
We are in the possess of building a 3500 sqft house 2 story, the ends have brick and the front of the garage, and near the front door mainly for design, the rest of the house is stucco, (light cream, with white in it) once it is finished how can we properly maintain it, and could we power wash it (not all the time, but when it starts to look grimy and dirty probably once a year, or once every other year?) Thank you.
Hi Dylan Smith, good question, if it were me I would pressure wash the complete home apply a bonding agent then apply a maintenance free color finish, these finishes last forever, yes, in 30 to 40 years they may diminish in color but thats what gives a home a charming look, the rich or modern look is mainly for newbies, get my age then relax with a charming look and spend the cash on other things such as cruses.
Best wishes and have a great new year,
kirk giordano plastering
nice video. like you
Howdy Makeup Royal, you my friend have a wonderful way with words, thank you,
Cheers and have a good and healthy new year,
Kirk and Jason giordano
Man, how can you not protect your knees???
Howdy Thomas, thats a really good question,
they never bother me so I don't worry about it. Wierd huh?
cheers,
Kirk and Jason’s sand and cement rendering videos
That's crazy! You could probably knee in doors.
By the way. You really do great work and thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Evening Thomas, thank you
Cheers,
Kirk and Jason giordano’s rendering videos
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. I never worried about kneeling either, until one day, after spending several hours intermittently on my knees, digging, I acquired a condition called "foot drop." That was a pretty big hassle as I lacked all stability from that foot! For me, it was temporary, lasting "only" a couple of months, but for some people it does not go away. Now, whenever I have to work on my knees, I use knee-pads. I didn't know that I could acquire this from simply kneeling for a while.
Kirk……how do people convert an exterior real brick home to stucco?
Evening VJ, easy, pressure wash very well and stucco directly over the brick as the bricks make a better lath than paper and wire.
Best wishes and have a happy and prosperous new year my friend.
kirk giordano plastering
I have poured foundation, they have a styrofoam moisture barrier, then a rubber matt cover. A cheap way for the builder to have a fininshed product. Can I just a apply a wire mesh and then stucco over all these?
Howdy Mvigorenv Dude, if it were me i would leave it alone or plant some bushes to hide, as it's now watertight.
If you attach wire to stucco now you puncture your expensive and difficult to attach barrior, see my cheesey explanation video below for my humble opinion.barrior.
https://youtu.be/5wOofoD8XuY
Cheers,
kirk giordano plastering
I do this kind of stuff and I think it's great that you share these videos . It s really hard work , there's a lot of prep involved before the finish even starts . And then there's making it look pretty . By that time , a worker is whooped !
Howdy Mr. Albie, like all trades and or sports, you have to work up to the level of endurance.
you can do it plus go out the same night.
Live long and plaster
Kirk Giordano’s Plastering answers to real life stucco questions
Cheap materials and all labor . I need to do this more in my area
Howdy 70's dude, atta boy right attitude.
Live long and plaster
Kirk Giordano’s Plastering answers to real life stucco questions
Rapid set is not a cheap product. On rain days I can set a cap, patch a foundation, stucco over anything and even pour an apron all in 30 and be gone. $1000 for the day and not worry about runs. Product is awesome!!!
Greetings James, no doubt the produt cost alot, but two trips are no longer necessary.
Peace, love, and happiness staying plastered
Mastering Plastering for the beginner’s to the experts
i should of said it"s expensive but cuts time and is cheaper in the long.. Float ON!!
Idk how, but you look older in this 7 year old video.
You need a concrete gun
Calcium cloride cheap
Calcium and dish soap = hard plaster
Come on Kirk just b
Come on Kirk !!!!slap that mud in there!!!!!!
@Kirk Giordano plastering Inc. Awesome been in the Stucco Stone ,Masonry, all most my whole life, so i enjoy your guys videos either old or new….Thanks Chad at CA STUCCO and STONE …Tampa Bay Area…
oldie but goodie. Thanks for the video.