Stucco FAQInformation Bulletin Regarding Stucco Cracking
Stucco is a colored cementitious material that is hard, brittle and water resistant. One might be fearful of cracks in stucco, but stucco has cracks like wood has knots. Cracking is inherent to the product.
The Stucco Manufactures Association recommends that stucco systems, be panelized every 150 to 200 square feet to control cracking. This is generally accomplished with expansion joints during initial construction. This type of panelization is normally accomplished on commercial buildings, but due to aesthetic considerations, rarely seen on residential homes. Adobe style homes with parapets will generally not have any type of expansion joints installed. Panelizing the stucco allows for the stucco to move as a single unit, within the panel, while minimizing cracking. When stucco is applied to larger areas, it will generally crack to relieve the stresses generated within the material from, thermal expansion and contraction, wind loading, moisture freeze / thaw cycles and movement of foundations from tree roots, seasonal heaving and receding and settling during the first few years after a structure is built. Cracks will typically appear at the corners of windows and doors and can extend diagonally for a couple of feet. Areas of dissimilar materials such as the transition of block walls to a wood framed structures will experience different rates of expansion and contraction and usually a crack will develop at this interface. When room additions are constructed against an existing structure, it is common that that the new and old structures are not completely married and therefore movement will take place and a crack may develop at that interface. Many times cracking will develop at the “sill plate” which is were the house wall systems sit on the concrete foundation. These cracks are easy to identify as they will appear approximately six to twelve inches above the grade and extend perfectly horizontal, sometimes for many feet. When a structure has been restored with a new stucco color coat, the colored cement stucco material is approximately 3/16” thick. Some preexisting cracks may have been repaired prior to the color coat but other times the color coat may fill minor cracks and offer a better aesthetic solution. The new color coat is mostly aesthetic, not structural, and will help to bridge some of the cracks that have stabilized, but can typically re-crack due to movement in the wall by the above mentioned causes. Cracks can occur immediately after a stucco restoration has been accomplished. If the wall is not moving, the stucco will generally not crack. Cracking is not always a problem for the integrity of the stucco system. The general rule of thumb is that cracks on the vertical wall surface, less than a width of a nickel (1/8” thick), are considered hairline and do not pose any threat to the integrity of the stucco system. Cracks on the vertical walls that exceed 1/8” and extend into the base coats should be addressed with a good crack patching procedure. Cracks of any size on parapet caps should be sealed promptly to avoid moisture intrusion. Even premium synthetic stucco systems such as Sto, Synergy and Parex to name a few are more resistant to cracking, but if applied over a cement base, cracking will most likely occur. This should not necessarily be construed to be a failure of the material or application. Synthetic stucco finishes are more elastic, and will tolerate more movement in the wall than cementitious stucco finishes, before they are breached, but still they are subject to the same physics as cement stucco finishes. Considering cracking will at some point in time occur to all stucco and synthetic stucco systems applied over a cementitious base, manufactures or contractors do not warranty against cracking. A successful regiment of water management and periodic maintenance should give one many years of durability and satisfaction, for a well applied product. For a crack repair procedure, please see the accompanying bulletin on “Caulking of Stucco…Tech Bulletin” or feel free to call us at 505-345-3200, if you have any further questions. Stucco Color and How it Will Change
Once a stucco color coat is applied, it will remain wet for a period of time, and appear darker than the final dried and cured color. After the stucco completely dries, it will then appear lighter and have a slight chalky appearance. The color will continue to cure and darken with a majority of the color achieved within a seven to ten day period, although it can take several months for it to closely blend to the manufacturer's color chart. The color pigments in stucco oxidize with the interaction of the atmosphere and moisture, which creates the rich colors of the Southwest that we have grown accustomed. This oxidation process continues for many years and ever so slightly, the stucco will continue to darken, even after the initial cure.
The initial curing process can be artificially accelerated to cause the color pigments to stabilize, darken and reach a cured state sooner than by natural means. The term for this process is called a "water cure" and is the action of misting the stucco with water from a hose. It should only be accomplished after the stucco has completely dried and within a temperature range that will allow the stucco to mostly dry out before nightfall. With a hose nozzle set to mist, the surface must be misted uniformly corner to corner and the water should not copiously run down the wall. This process can be accomplished once a day for three to four consecutive days to cure and set the color. This procedure also helps the stucco to gain strength sooner than if left to cure naturally. If you choose to accelerate the cure by this method, please call our office at 505-345-3200 so that we can offer you guidance, as weather conditions may affect this procedure. Technical Bulletin for Crack Repair for Synthetic and Cement Stucco
Crack repair for either synthetic or cement stucco products should be addressed if the crack exceeds 1/8” wide (the width of a nickel) or greater on vertical walls and extends into the base coat, and for any size crack on parapet caps, flat wall surfaces. If the crack is less that 1/8” wide on a vertical wall, the repair is optional and would be mostly for aesthetic consideration.
Materials and tools needed: Sponge Duct tape or masking tape that will adhere to the wall surface Small pail or container with water Butter knife or optionally a tool called a caulking spatula. Flat head screw driver Rags Colored caulking Caulking Gun Painters mineral spirits (Only necessary for urethane caulk for tooling). Lacquer Thinner or Toluene (Only for clean up of urethane caulk) Stucco Fog Coat – (Only for stucco crack repair, not synthetic) Backer Rod (foam rope on a roll) - For cracks exceeding ¼” wide. 1” to 2” Paint brush. Caulking Choices: There are several choices for the type of caulking you may use for crack repair. Pure silicone is not recommended. Exterior grade acrylic / silicone blend, often referred to as paintable caulk, is a water base product and is the easiest to work with, and cleans up easily with water. For homeowner application, acrylic / silicone is mostly recommended for its ease of use while being able to achieve a good result. Urethane is more difficult to work with, but offers superior performance than acrylic / silicone blends. Whatever your choice, purchase the highest quality (the longest year indicated on the label) available. You will need to ask for a “Non Sag” caulk that is stiffer and will stay in the crack as opposed to a self leveling caulking that is more viscous and will run down a vertical surface. Most caulking offered at Home Depo or Lowes is non sag. It is important to purchase a caulking that blends as close as possible to your wall color. With small cracks, the color is less important than with larger cracks. If it is important to achieve very close blend to the wall color, a blended exterior paint or a synthetic finish compatible with the caulking can be applied over the caulking, once it dries. Caulking can be purchased at Home Depo or Lowes for standard colors and for a larger selection of colors at, Pro Build located at 4200 2nd St NE, Albq., Ph: 345-1755, or in Santa Fe at 1137 Siler Rd., Ph: 471-7474; Chaparral Materials Inc. located in Albq., at 912 1st St. NW or in Santa Fe at 5946 Agua Fria, Ph: 471-3491 and Smalley & Company located at 8920 Adams NE, Albq., Ph: 797-7222. Fog Coat can be purchased at Hope Lumber, Home Depo, New Mexico Plaster Supply located at 4100 4th St. NW, Albq., Ph: 345-6881, or Chaparral Materials Inc. located at 912 1st St. NW, Albq., Ph 217-1051, or in Santa Fe at 5946 Agua Fria, Ph: 471-3491. For our market, El Rey Stucco and Western Blended Products are the two major brands of stucco and the associated fog coat colors that are available. If you know either the brand and or color of stucco that is on the wall, it is best to first attempt to procure that brand of Fog Coat, so as to achieve a closer color blend. Fog Coat comes in a plastic pail and is the raw pigment of the bagged stucco, and looks like a colored powder. Repair Procedure:
Crack repair that exceeds ¼” should utilize urethane caulking. It will be necessary to use a backer rod to create a backing for the caulking for the caulking to obtain an optimum depth. Backer rod comes on a roll and comes in varying diameters, depending on the size of the crack or gap being sealed. It is best to check with Smalley and Company for the recommended size of backer rod, based on your requirements. Chimney Runoff Diverters for Pitched Roofs
Once you have had a new stucco color coat applied, there are several preventative measures that will preserve the integrity and aesthetics of your stucco. As a matter of preventative maintenance, the “Homeowner Maintenance Tips “ (accompanying bulletin) should be followed. With cement stucco based products, water is the enemy. By redirecting sprinklers, adding gutters, installing down spouts and water diverters and generally keeping the water away from the stucco wall surfaces, your stucco should give you may years of trouble free performance.
A common problem that requires special attention is at chimney areas. On pitched roof homes, water can run off of the shingles and flow onto the sides and angled surfaces of the chimney. The action of the dirt being washed off of the roof, and the high concentrations of moisture absorbing into the stucco, will almost always cause the stucco to stain and effloresce (exhibit whitish residue). If left unattended, this condition will eventually compromise the integrity of the stucco bond. To avoid this problem, we highly recommend that at a minimum, diverters be installed on the shingled roof, upside of the chimney. Typically two each 2” x 2” x 10’ “L” angled sheet metal flashings are sealed to the roof shingles in a “V” pattern to direct the water flow from the roof, away from the chimney. A competent roofer can accomplish this flashing detail. Installation of gutters adjacent to the chimney is also helpful. Gutters and downspouts for all homes will help to direct and keep the water away from your stucco. By simply directing water sources away from the stucco, you will enjoy many years of protection and beauty from your stucco finish. Please feel free to call us at 505-345-3200 if you have any further questions. Stucco Parapet Maintenance
With flat roof architecture, this stucco to roof transition also known as the parapet, is the most problematic with regard to periodic maintenance.
A typical stucco system on most wood framed homes includes, a moisture resistant barrier of asphalt impregnated paper over a wood sheathing, stucco netting, cement base coat(s) and a cosmetic colored stucco finish coat also known as a color coat. This stucco system will perform well under most adverse weather conditions but is not designed to be a “waterproof system”. By design, homes in the Southwest have parapets and flat areas that allow water to be retained and undergo freeze thaw cycles. This action breaks down the stucco and will eventually cause cracking, deterioration, and eventually leaks through the stucco. With an existing stucco system or even a newly applied cosmetic stucco color coat, the parapet requires annual homeowner maintenance to insure a trouble free system. Understanding that cement stucco will crack and roof flashings will breach, the following maintenance regiment is recommended; 1) Seal any visible cracks on the parapet with an acrylic/ silicone or a polyurethane caulking. Polyurethane caulk is preferred but a bit messier to work with. For additional caulking recommendations, please see the accompanying “Caulking of Stucco… Tech Bulletin”. Keep in mind that it is best not to extend the caulk too far over the front face of the parapet, where it will be visible from below and 2) Re-seal the roof flashing to the parapet. This is typically accomplished by applying plastic roof cement to any breaches or breaks that are evident at the stucco to parapet transition. A silver paint sprayed over the plastic roof cement will help to extend the life of the product. If these maintenance items have been accomplished and you are still experiencing problems, testing of the roof is in order. A competent roofer may conduct a test by flooding the roof and flooding any other transitions to roof penetrations with water to pinpoint a roof leak. If you have any further questions on any stucco or window related issues, feel free to call us at 505-345-3200. Sto Stucco Restoration and Crack Repair Specification R 300
PART 1 GENERAL
1.01 Summary A. The general conditions, supplementary conditions and general requirements of these construction documents apply to the general contractor, subcontractors, material suppliers and all persons furnishing labor and materials under this section. B. Section Includes: description of requirements for materials and installation of stucco repair system as shown on drawings and as specified herein to complete work. 1.02 Description A. Design Requirements: the structural wall system to which the stucco repair system is attached shall meet L/360 maximum allowable deflection criteria and applicable building code requirements. 1.03 Submittals A. Submit copies of manufacturer’s specifications, installation instructions and product data. B. Submit copy of applicator’s certificate of training, where training is required by manufacturer or product specifications. C. Submit samples for approval as directed by architect. D. Submit copy of manufacturer’s warranty. 1.04 Delivery, Storage and Handling A. All coating materials shall be delivered in their original sealed container bearing manufacturer’s name and identification of product with written application instructions and appropriate health, hazard and safety data. B. All ready-mixed coating materials shall be protected from extreme heat, sun and frost. Factory proportioned bagged materials shall be stored inside, off the ground in a dry area and protected from moisture. 1.05 Job Conditions A. All materials shall never be applied if ambient and surface temperatures cannot be kept above 38 degrees F during application and drying period. For installation in temperatures less than 30 degrees F supplementary heat shall be provided. The installed materials shall be protected from exposure to rain and freezing until dry. PART 2 PRODUCTS 2.01 Material-General A. Manufacturer’s: materials are specified by brand names to establish a standard quality, or by performance requirements and general description of the product. The architect will consider substitutions for brand names of products specified, provided the procedures set forth for substitutions are followed. The architect reserves the right to reject any material which, in his or her opinion, will not produce the quality of work specified herein. B. The following are acceptable manufacturers: STO CORP. 2.02 Surface Preparation A. Conditioners 1. Sto Plex W - a ready-mixed water based surface conditioner with minimum solids content of 8% for treatment of dry, porous stucco/plaster surfaces and load bearing painted surfaces. 2. Sto Bonding Agent - a water based resin dispersion designed as a surface preparation for dry/porous concrete, masonry or stucco surfaces. Also serves as an additive to Sto One Coat Stucco. 2.03 Patching, Leveling and Resurfacing A. Sto Leveler - a one component factory proportioned polymer modified fiber reinforced cement based leveler with water repellent additive for pre-filling surface cracks up to 1/4 inch wide and for leveling, patching or filling surface irregularities up to 1/2 inch deep in one application. 2.04 Waterproofing A. Sto Flexyl - a 100% acrylic copolymer based waterproofed for use with Portland cement and Sto Mesh to waterproof parapets, sloped sills and other areas that require a waterproof membrane to prevent water intrusion. 2.05 Crack Repair Materials A. Sto Flexjoint Compound - a ready-mixed elastomeric acrylic dispersion based joint compound and ground coat for filling surface cracks up to 1/8 inch wide and for use as a ground coat with Sto LPA Mesh to reinforce surface cracks up to 1/16 inch wide. B. Sto Flexyl - a 100% acrylic copolymer based waterproofer and stucco crack repair for use with Portland cement and Sto Mesh to fill and reinforce surface cracks up to 1/16 inch wide. 3. Elastomeric paints: A. StoSilco Lastic - a silicone emulsion elastomeric flat paint for concrete, masonry, plaster or existing acrylic based textured finishes; for brush, roller or spray application. Minimum solids content shall be 60%. Dry mil thickness shall be 15-17 mils in two applications (prime coat and finish coat). Note: Type, texture and color of paint shall be as indicated on architectural drawings or per approved sample submittal. Color shall be identified in accordance with the Sto Color System and color fastness shall be a minimum of 8. Lightness value shall be 30% or greater for Sto silicone based finishes. 2.06 Reinforcement A. Sto Detail Mesh - a symmetrical, interlaced glass fiber made from twisted multi-ended strands, and coated to be compatible with Sto repair materials. B. Sto Mesh - a symmetrical, interlaced glass fiber made from twisted multi-end strands and alkaline resistant coating, at least 20 grams per square yard, for computability with Sto materials. The mesh shall weigh 4.8 oz./sq.yd. (162 g/m2) and shall be shiftproof with trimmed roll edges to minimize buildup on overlapped seams. 2.07 Primer A. STO PRIMER - a ready-mixed elastomeric acrylic dispersion based primer with fine aggregate that can be tinted to match the finish coating; for use prior to the application of Sto acrylic textured finishes. Note: Priming is recommended to reduce substrate absorption and to enhance finish color, to improve adhesion and water resistance, and to retard efflorescence in cementitious substrates. Appropriate tinted primer is recommended as a color base for “R” (rilled textured) finishes and all fine aggregate (less than 1mm) finishes. 2.08 Textured Coating (select one, depending on type, texture desired) A. Sto elastomeric textured coatings: 1. STOSILCO FLEX - a ready-mixed silicone based elastomeric textured wall coating with graded marble aggregate (as listed below) for trowel or spray application. Texture Aggregate Gradation Stosilco Flex 1.0 .8-1.2mm Stosilco Flex 1.5 1.2-1.8mm Stosilco Flex R1.5 1.2-1.8mm B. Type, texture, color and aggregate size of coating shall be as indicated on architectural drawings or per approved sample submittal. Lightness value shall be 30% or greater for Sto silicone based finishes, 20% or greater for all others. 2.09 Performance Criteria A. All materials shall meet or exceed the minimum performance criteria listed in this specification: 1. Stucco Patching/Leveling/Resurfacing Material* (Sto One Coat Stucco or Sto Leveler): TEST METHOD RESULT Compression Strength ASTM C - 109 Greater than 4000 psi Tensile Strength ASTM C - 190 Greater than 300 psi Flexural Strength ASTM C - 293 Greater than 1000 psi Water Absorption ASTM C - 642 Less than 3% Surface Burning ASTM E - 84 Flame spread - 0 Smoke developed - 0 *all results @ 28 days 2. Waterproofer and Stucco Crack Repair Ground Coat (Sto Flexyl): TEST METHOD RESULT Tensile Strength ASTM D - 412 300 psi Elongation Lab method 7.7% (w/o mesh) Adhesion to cement board ASTM C - 297 100 psi Adhesion to concrete ASTM D -4541 90 psi Adhesion (in peel) to concrete ASTM D - 903 20 lb. Vapor Permeability ASTM E - 96 1.20 US perms Mandrel Bend ASTM D - 522 pass @-30 degrees C, 0 degrees C, 30 degrees C Hydrostatic Pressure Lab Method no water penetration at 7 bar (230 foot height water column) after 24 hours. Waterproofing ASTM E - 514 no water penetration after 8 hours exposure UV Resistance ASTM D - 822 no degradation Surface Burning ASTM E - 84 flame spread: 25 smoke developed: 70 3. Elastomeric joint compound (Sto Flexjoint Compound) TEST METHOD RESULT Tensile Strength ASTM D - 412 60 psi Elongation % ASTM D - 412 500% Recovery @ 100% elongation ASTM D - 412 70% (10 min. recovery) Shore “A” Hardness ASTM D - 2240 25 - 30 4. Silicone based elastomeric paint (StoSilco Lastic) : TEST METHOD RESULT Accelerated Weathering ASTM G - 53 no noticeable yellowing or deterioration or delamination @ 2000 hours. Freeze/Thaw Lab method no cracking, discoloration or loss of film integrity after 25 cycles Tensile Strength ASTM D - 412 135 psi Elongation ASTM D - 412 280% Recovery at 175 % Elongation ASTM D - 412 80% Water Vapor Transmission ASTM D -1653 9 - 10 perms @ 20 mils (method A) Adhesion ASTM C - 297 145 psi (wood) (modified) greater than 45 psi (steel) greater than 140 psi (concrete) Water Absorption DIN 52 617 .054 kg/squ m/24 hr @ 3 weeks TEST METHOD RESULT Intercoat Adhesion ASTM D - 3359 5 (modified) Shore “A” Hardness ASTM D - 2240 35 - 40 Mildew Resistance ASTM G - 21 no mildew growth at 21 days Crack Bridging Lab Method 6.34 mils at 77 degrees F Low Temperature Flexibility ASTM D - 522 pass at -30 degrees C 5. Silicone Based Elastomeric Textured Coating (StoSilco Flex SW1) TEST METHOD RESULT Accelerated Weathering ASTM G - 53 No deterious effects after 2000 hours. No noticeable ASTM D - 659 yellowing. Chalk rating = 9 (10 is best on a scale of ASTM E - 313 1 - 10 ) (yellowing) Elongation ASTM D - 412 500% * Tensile Strength ASTM D - 412 60 psi Adhesion to Concrete ASTM C - 297 120 psi (modified) Flexibility ASTM D - 522 pass at 1/8 inch mandrel bend at - 30 degrees F Freeze/Thaw Resistance Lab Method no change after 25 cycles Water Vapor Permeance ASTM D - 1653 34 perms Mildew Growth ASTM G - 21 no growth Chemical Resistance ASTM D - 1306 good resistance to Mild Acids, Alkalis and Salts Resistance to Dirt Pick-up Lab Method 98% reflectance retained Wind Driven Rain Fed Spec TT-C-555B pass Surface Burning ASTM E - 84 Flame Spread: 5 Smoke Developed: 5 *elongation of neat film *all results after 7 days 2.10 Mixing A. Sto Plex W - mix with a clean, rust-free high speed mixer. Add water as directed on labeling. B. Sto Bonding Agent - As a bonding agent, agitate container and use undiluted. C. Sto Leveler - mix with 6 -7 quarts of clean potable water per 60 lb. bag, allow to set for approximately 5 minutes, adjust mix if necessary, then remix to a uniform consistency. D. Sto One-Coat Stucco - mix approximately 200 lb. of sand to an 80 lb. bag of Sto One -Coat Stucco. Add preblended dry mix to 5 -7 gallons of clean potable water. mix with paddle type mortar mixer to a uniform consistency. E. Sto Acrylic One-Coat Stucco - dilute Sto Bonding Agent with 3 parts water to one part Sto Bonding Agent (by volume). Follow normal mix ratio and procedures for mixing Sto One-Coat Stucco, except use 5-7 gallons of diluted Sto Bonding Agent in lieu of water. F. Sto Textured Finishes - mix with a clean, rust-free high speed mixer. A small amount of clean water may be added to aid workability Part 3 EXECUTION A. All installation of Sto materials shall be performed by and/or supervised by Sto Instructed* Applicators. B. Under no circumstances shall any of the products be altered by adding any additives, except for small amounts of clean water as directed on the label. Antifreeze, accelerators, rapid binders, aggregates, etc., are forbidden. C. The surface to receive the stucco repair system shall be structurally sound, clean, dry and free of residual moisture or damage from moisture. Surfaces shall be properly cured and free of dirt, dust, oil, grease, mildew, fungus, laitance, efflorescence and any other contaminant. Any surfaces not in compliance shall be corrected prior to installation of the stucco repair system: 1. Surface contaminants must be removed by wire brush, sandblasting, waterblasting or other appropriate means. 2. Efflorescence may be removed by a diluted acid wash and rinse, or other appropriate means. 3. Treat dry, porous, or absorbent surfaces with surface conditioner. (Use Sto Plex W for highly absorbent, sanding surfaces and chalking surfaces.) 4. For painted surfaces: paint must be removed by wire brush, sandblasting, waterblasting or other appropriate means. Alternate procedure for LOAD BEARING painted surfaces ONLY: treat with water based surface conditioner. 5. If patching, filing or leveling of irregularities is requited, and to repair loose, deteriorating plaster, concrete, or mortar, repair with appropriate leveling material to thickness required to achieve a smooth, plumb surface. D. Crack Repair and resurfacing of cementitious stucco:
Note: If cracks are widespread throughout the wall area reinforce entire area with Sto mesh embedded in Sto Leveler or elastomeric ground coat.
. When resurfacing entire wall area, prepare surfaces in accordance with Section 3.01C. Apply stucco resurfacing material by trowel or with proper spray equipment to a maximum 3/8 inch thickness in one application. Apply second coat if necessary to achieve a smooth, plumb surface as soon as the first coat is firm enough to receive the second coat without physical damage. Alternatively, damp cure the first coat for 48 hours, then apply the second coat. Level with a darby or stainless steel trowel. Damp cure by lightly fogging the installed area for at least 48 hours after initial set (usually within the first 1 to 4 hours after installation). DO NOT INSTALL DURING EXTREMELY HOT, DRY AND/OR WINDY CONDITIONS DO NOT INSTALL OVER DISSIMILAR MATERIALS OR JOINTS IN CONSTRUCTION. Allow to dry prior to application of primer or finish. F. Waterproofing: any areas requiring a waterproof membrane, such as sloped sills or parapets, shall be treated following crack repair/leveling or resurfacing and prior to application of the textured finish:
Note: Parapets and sills must be sloped to shed water. Terminations at windows or at roofing material must be properly flashed and/or caulked to prevent water infiltration behind the waterproofing application. G. After preparation and repair of all surfaces the textured finish application may begin. Where a primer is used apply with brush, roller or proper spray equipment to the substrate and allow to dry thoroughly before applying the textured finish coating. The textured finish shall be applied by spraying or troweling with a stainless steel trowel. General rules for application of finish are as follows: a. Avoid application in direct sunlight. b. Apply finish in a continuous application, always working to a wet edge. c. Weather conditions affect application and drying time. Hot or dry conditions limit working time and accelerate drying and may require adjustments in the scheduling of work to achieve desired results; cool or damp conditions extend working time and retard drying and may require added measures of protection against wind, dust, dirt, rain and freezing. d. “R” (rilled texture) finishes must be floated with a plastic trowel to achieve their rilled texture. e. Avoid installing separate batches of finish side-by-side. f. Avoid application over irregular surfaces, especially with smaller aggregate finishes, which will not hide deviations in the plane of the surface. *The holder of the Sto Certificate has been instructed by approved Sto Instructors in the correct application and handling of specific Sto Materials. However, the applicator is an independent contractor and Sto Corp. cannot control the manner of his/her work nor can it guarantee that the applicator will correctly apply and handle all Sto Materials. Water Leak Identification and Testing for Windows and Doors
Water leakage through windows / doors, stucco or roofing systems can be frustrating due to the circuitous route that water will travel. Identifying the area of moisture infiltration can be methodically approached to insure the proper area is identified and the appropriate fix accomplished. Considering that leakage problems in New Mexico are mostly related to stucco, we offer repair solutions specifically for the architecture in this area.
The natural reaction by the untrained person is to identify the leaking area as the local area of entry on the inside of the building, and assume it correlates directly through the wall to the exterior. This approach generally does not yield an accurate diagnosis and leads one to believe that a window or crack in the stucco is directly responsible for the problem, when in reality it may be a roofing problem or leakage in a completely different area. In the case of a leaky window or a vertical crack in the stucco, it is believed in some professional circles, that water is actually sucked or drawn into the house, rather than being driven through the wall by low pressure inside the home. Although there are conditions when wind driven rain is forced into and through a breach in the wall or window. The sixty-four thousand-dollar question is always, where is the leak occurring? Once the leakage area is identified, a proper procedure for repair is always available, sometimes very economically and other times more expensively. Testing is the first step to identify the area of moisture infiltration. Much of the testing procedure was adopted from the book, “Idiot’s Guide To Water Testing Windows” by Daniel Urroz. One can purchase this book by calling 1-800-655-9349 or by the Internet at www.buildersbasement.com. For homeowners that are willing to dedicate a few hours, Urroz’s book is a wealth of information for leak identification. At Reule Sun Corporation, we agree with much of the testing procedure and offer amendments to the testing for accelerated results. It is important to conduct the testing from the bottom to the top of the wall. The order of the following testing is important to isolate the leakage. Test procedure #1: The object of this test is to test the window proper while isolating the stucco and the window to stucco interface out of the loop. Shut and latch the window. Using duct tape and 3m masking film or landscaping plastic, tape the plastic at the edge of the window frame and lap the plastic onto the stucco two to three feet. Tape the outside edge of the plastic onto the stucco. Strips of plastic can be used, starting horizontally at the windowsill, sides and top, making sure to overlap the sheets like shingles of a roof. Tape all of the overlapped plastic joints to create a seal. Make sure to keep the plastic film flat and avoid wrinkles in the film while applying the tape; so as to create a watertight seal. Apply a second layer of tape over the first layer and onto the stucco around the total perimeter to insure adhesion. Spray the entire window, assimilating a heavy rain for 20 minutes. Observe the interior of window and localized areas, around, under and along the baseboard, for moisture infiltration. Wipe off and dry window and frame. Test procedure #2: The object of this test is to isolate the window out of the loop and focus the test on the transition of the stucco to the window frame. Shut and latch the window. Using duct tape and 3m masking film or landscaping plastic, tape the plastic film onto the frame of the window, around the entire perimeter, right up to the edge were the stucco meets the window frame and cover over the entire window. Make sure to keep the plastic film flat and avoid wrinkles in the film while applying the tape; so as to create a watertight seal. About one inch of contact of the duct tape onto the window frame is adequate. With a water hose turned on with moderate pressure, start flooding water at the bottom of the windowsill and move the hose along the sill for ten minutes. Observe the interior of windowsill for moisture infiltration. If moisture is observed, tape a two-foot flap of plastic onto the bottom of the windowsill to span from the windowsill and over the stucco. Continue the test individually on each side of the window for twenty minutes each, and next the top of the window for 30 minutes. Urroz offers a great tip by utilizing a strip of plywood with a clamp to hold the hose in place. Continue with the observation on the inside for moisture infiltration. Next the water can be run onto the stucco wall above the window for 20 minutes, while paying particular attention to flood any areas of the stucco that show cracks. Again, observe the interior for moisture infiltration. It is important to conduct each step of the test methodically and by the times prescribed above so as to find fault or eliminate each individual area. If no moisture infiltration is evident, proceed to the next step. Additional Procedure: If no moisture infiltration is evident in either of the above tests, an additional step can be performed to insure absolute results for the testing. By creating a negative pressure on the inside of the window, it can aid todraw the moisture inside. Utilizing the previously described plastic and masking materials, mask over the entire opening at the inside of the window and onto the interior sheet-rock or plaster wall, making sure that the entire window is encapsulated behind the plastic. Apply a second layer of tape onto the wall and just overlapping the existing tape to insure adhesion. Utilizing a vacuum cleaner hose, cut a hole in the plastic, place the vacuum hose through the hole and tape to seal the hose to the plastic. Turn on the vacuum and conduct the above tests. If there is no moisture infiltration, you can safely conclude that the tested areas are leak resistant. Only a slight bit of vacuum is required. It is best if a restriction in the hose can be made so as to create a realistic negative pressure on the inside. If a “Fan Door” is available for testing, a 15 Pascal pressure reduction to the interior of the building is adequate to conduct testing. Test procedure #3: The object of this test is to focus the test to a flat roof parapet cap. Once the above Tests are conducted and it is proven that there is no leakage, then testing of the parapet can take place. The procedure is to flood the top of the parapet for twenty minutes, vertically above the area of infiltration. Considering that water can easily migrate for ten feet or more, the flooding of the parapet should occur laterally ten feet on either side of the vertical alignment with the leak. Care should be taken to keep the water off of the roof in this first step. If no water infiltration occurs, then the backside of the parapet should be flooded. Please note that by this second step, while flooding the backside of the parapet, water will flood onto the roof as well. If water infiltrates into the wall, it is inconclusive whether the water is infiltrating into the parapet or by a leak in the roof. The fix: Fixes for water leakage can be as simple as utilizing a caulking product, to more elaborate sealing methods and finishing of the stucco or synthetic stucco products. If it is diagnosed that the window is leaking, with a top grade window, generally the fix is straightforward and involves replacement of weather-stripping or caulking. With wood or aluminum clad windows, it may be necessary to replace a defective sash or in extreme cases, the entire window. If the transition of the stucco to the window is leaking, the fix can involve more than just caulking and usually requires that the window be removed and reinstalled properly or replaced with a new window, if required. For problems relating to your specific window(s) brand, contact the manufacturer representative, which is customarily listed on the internet. If you suspect the roofing is causing the problem, contact a qualified roofer of your choice such as Rome at Cornerstone Roofing at 505-842-1113 or Mike at A 2 Z Roofing at 505-319-2670 for a free evaluation and consultation. For problems relating to your stucco or synthetic stucco product, or if you choose to upgrade to a high quality window or door product such as Andersen Windows and Doors, PlyGem PremiumVinyl Windows or beautiful Semco Wood Aluminum Clad windows and doors, please contact Reule Sun Corporation at 505-345-3200 for a free evaluation and consultation. Misconceptions of the Common Crack
Read this article detailing misconceptions about cracks in stucco.
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