Stucco chimney repair for homes in Harbour Island

The paper layer on framed chimneys

On a framed chimney, stucco over wood-based sheathing needs a water-resistive barrier behind it. The Florida residential code sets its performance at no less than two layers of Grade D paper, which gives water that gets past the stucco a path down and out.

When our pros open stucco on a framed chase and find torn, missing or rotted paper, it is replaced and lapped correctly before new lath goes on. That hidden layer is what keeps the framing dry when water gets past the finish.

A repair mix that suits the old stucco

Stronger is not always better in stucco. The International Masonry Institute asks for a repair mix with similar strength, density, porosity and water absorption to the existing stucco, and the Park Service warns that rigid portland cement patches do not suit soft lime-based stucco.

Our pros look at the age and hardness of your chimney's stucco before choosing a mix. A patch that is much harder than its surroundings tends to crack at its edges and trap moisture beside it, the opposite of what a repair should do.

Elastomeric coatings and what they can do

Manufacturers such as Sto make elastomeric coatings that bridge hairline cracks, flex with small movement better than ordinary paint and resist wind-driven rain, and some are made to let water vapor pass so they do not blister. Those properties vary by product.

Our specialists recommend an elastomeric finish only over stucco that is sound, since no coating reattaches loose stucco. We name the product in the estimate and follow its preparation and curing instructions.

What your stucco repair estimate lists

Every stucco repair we quote in Harbour Island comes with a written estimate that separates the water source from the stucco work. You see the size of the area to be removed, the backing repairs and the finish we plan to match.

Upfront pricing means the price you approve is the price you pay, and you save 10% on stucco work you approve within 72 hours of the free inspection.

• Water sources to fix first, each with its own price
• Area of loose or cracked stucco to be cut back
• Lath, paper or masonry repairs found behind it
• Coats, finish texture and any paint or coating