If you're planning to install stucco on your home, you may be thinking about whether stucco should be placed on the ground. We've studied this subject thoroughly and have some essential information for you.

If you are installing stucco, you must ensure that it does not touch the ground or, that is, below grade. It is necessary to have at least two inches of space in between the concrete as well as stucco for homes set upon concrete foundations. There should be at least four inches of space between stucco and the soil for homes that are built on soil; however, between six and eight inches is the recommended space.

The requirements for installing stucco can be daunting; however, stucco could damage homes if it's not installed correctly. This is the reason we go into detail on the potential problems below-grade stucco may create.

What Causes Stucco to Crumble?

Stucco can crack when water seeps into its exterior coat. Water may seep into the exterior coating when there are holes in the stucco. It can also get into the exterior coating via the soil if the stucco is below grade. If water penetrates the stucco, it can trap moisture, which leads to the stucco deteriorating. Other causes that make stucco crumble are the years of stucco's existence, the settlement in the building, and insects.

It is possible to reduce the chance of your stucco deteriorating by making sure that the stucco is placed over the ground or above grade so that it can keep groundwater out of the stucco, causing it to trap moisture.

How Do You Know If Stucco Is Bad?

Have you had the misfortune of looking at your stucco and seeing cracks? Cracks in stucco are an indication that the stucco is damaged. At first glance, an opening in your stucco might not appear to be that big of an issue, but in certain cases, the crack isn't! A minor stucco crack typically isn't a major issue; however, cracks that exceed the size of a quarter of an inch wide can indicate much larger issues. These issues can include structural problems that could cause settling issues, like house settlement and water damage.

Stains, soft spots and stucco moss, as well as stucco cracks, indicate that the stucco is damaged. Similar to stucco cracks and splinters, stained spots, soft spots and moss are all signs of water-related damage. Additionally, damage from impacts that can range from lawnmowers' damage as well as damage from birds can also indicate bad stucco.

Certain of these indicators, like stucco cracks or stains, are often mistaken for cosmetic problems when they're structural problems. If your stucco shows any of these signs, it's a good idea to examine it to determine if they suggest structural issues.

How Long Does Stucco Last?

The average lifespan of stucco is 50-80 years. This makes stucco among the most durable finishes available! But, even though it has been durable for decades, it is important to inspect your stucco each year to make sure there are no holes or cracks since they can cause significant harm to your home.

Is Painting Stucco A Bad Idea?

Painting stucco isn't the best option. One reason that painting stucco is not a good idea is the fact that stucco absorbs all kinds of moisture. This means the moment you put paint on stucco, it absorbs paint. That means you'll require painting stucco several times in order to cover the entire surface, and it requires lots of paint and also a lot of time!

Another reason why it is not advisable to paint stucco is that it could keep the moisture that takes in from the paint. The trapped moisture could cause the paint to peel. And peeling paint won't give your home the most appealing appearance. Due to the peeling house, it will have to be painted at least every few years.