If you see a hairline crack on your exterior stucco wall, it is very important to repair this stucco crack as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Even if they are just hairline cracks, you may want to call your local stucco repairman or apply a repair caulk in the crack to prevent future damage. This kind of crack in your stucco wall is considered a minor issue and you can apply do-it-yourself repair techniques that can assist you to get the job done properly.
Getting Started
Before doing any repair, you must evaluate the severity of the crack first. In order to do this, use a scraper to enlarge one of the hairline cracks. If you find out that it’s not really deep and it only exists on the surface, then no need to worry as fixing this type of crack is quite simple. What you should really avoid is the type of crack that runs deep through the plater towards the wall as these cracks are deeper and more serious. Now, let’s go over the actual process on how to fix hairline cracks in the stucco. But before that, let’s check what they actually look like.
What Hairline Cracks Look Like
A hairline crack is an ultra-small and often, a shallow surface crack within a wall crafted from stucco. It is as thick as a single strand of hair. Often described as a crack because it is shallow. In order to learn how to fit this, it is essential to know how they are formed as these cracks happen for many reasons.
The plasters used to construct the exterior wall was not mixed properly.
The home is settling due to vibration. When there is remodeling or renovation in the home, vibrations that occur because of other repairs installations may result in hairline cracks to develop. This can happen even when the stucco was applied according to the highest standards, well-experienced professionals.
The stucco was covered by another layer of a coat of paint while it was still
The worker who was stuccoing the wall stopped working at a specific spot each day. Professional contractors prevent these types of cracks by changing the spot where they stop the stucco installation process every workday. By doing so, they can lessen the risk of developing hairline cracks.
Hairline Cracks In Stucco Repair Tips
Now, let’s discuss how to fix hairline cracks in stucco and the simplest process to handle repairs of these very shallow cracks.
It is recommended to do your repair work in the morning. As we know due to proper lighting, it is easier to fill cracks in the morning. Aside from lighting, you may want to time when the house is cooler so better work in the morning than in the afternoon when the sun is up. When the house is cooler, it makes the crack more visible than when it is warmer. It is easier to spot and fill them in. Cool house leads to a contraction that opens up small cracks in stucco.
Clean The Wall Before Repairing
Before repairing the wall crack, remove the dirt and dust from the stucco. When the wall is clean beforehand, it will have a clean and smooth texture that paint adheres to easily. After washing, you may fill in the cracks with a little dab of caulking or spackling.
Afterward, you can repaint the wall for a smooth and clean finish. It is advisable to paint it right after washing and caulking to prevent water from entering the stucco wall. Paint can definitely seal the tiniest holes or pores. Additionally, small cracks may be painted over to bridge the space that crosses the crack.
These types of slim cracks can be painted with thick or three coats of water-based and textured paint. This type of paint works well with cracks.