Desert weather is tough on houses. If you live out here in Scottsdale, you already know how brutal the summer sun can be on exterior walls, especially if you are dealing with the intense reflected heat in neighborhoods like McCormick Ranch or DC Ranch. Stucco is tough stuff, but stucco needs a little seasonal attention if you want to avoid stucco cracking and premature fading.
Scottsdale Stucco & Plastering shares what you need to know about keeping your exterior in good shape through every season.
Beat the Heat: Why Summer Stucco Work is Tricky
Homeowners often ask if we can pour or patch stucco in July. We can, but Stucco Repair in Scottsdale requires a lot of extra work during peak summer months. When the thermometer climbs past 110 degrees, the moisture evaporates out of fresh plaster way too fast. That causes shrinkage cracks before the material ever gets a chance to cure properly. If you are planning a big project, spring or fall is usually your best bet. We get milder temperatures, which lets the stucco set right.
If you are stuck doing emergency patches in the middle of summer, you have got to keep that new plaster wet. Scottsdale Stucco & Plastering mists it down multiple times a day. Otherwise, the stucco turns to dust.
Monsoon Season and Moisture Management
Those July and August thunderstorms bring a ton of wind-driven rain out of nowhere. Your stucco acts like a giant sponge if the stucco is not sealed right. Water gets into hairline cracks, and when that intense sun hits the wall right after the storm, that moisture turns to steam and pops the surface right off.
Walk your perimeter after a heavy downpour. Look for dark spots that stay wet too long or white powdery buildup called efflorescence. That is a sign moisture is moving through your walls, and you will want to address it fast.
Winterizing and Routine Checks
Winter in Scottsdale is gorgeous, and it is prime time for exterior home improvements. The cooler air makes it ideal for painting or doing full recoats without sweating through your shirt by eight in the morning.
Take a weekend morning when the weather is nice to inspect your walls. Grab a tube of elastomeric patch for small hairline cracks before they turn into major structural headaches. For bigger gouges or areas where the lath is showing through, give Scottsdale Stucco & Plastering a ring and our team will come take a look.
For homes and businesses in Scottsdale, Scottsdale Stucco & Plastering provides Stucco services.