Do You Need a Stucco Inspection?

Most homeowners don’t think about stucco inspections until they are faced with a situation in which one is necessary. They say ignorance is bliss, but that’s not the case when ignorance is allowing the walls of your home to rot from the inside due to a buildup of moisture that could have been rectified sooner had your home been inspected.

This article will cover why stucco inspections are necessary and when they are necessary for homeowners. If you are in need of a stucco inspection, contact the stucco professionals of Friel Exteriors today.

Why Is a Stucco Inspection Necessary?

Stucco inspections are necessary because they help to identify underlying damage that is hidden from view within the walls of your home. Oftentimes, this damage builds up without the knowledge of the homeowner and is only discovered after it has become so severe that symptoms begin to show on the surface of the walls.

Inspections can also help locate the source of the damage, which is an important step when it comes to remediation. Simply repairing the damage isn’t enough. If the source of the damage isn’t fixed, there is nothing stopping it from occurring again.

And, possibly the biggest reason for the importance of stucco inspections, stucco remediation can be expensive if the damage is severe. The longer the moisture within your walls has to rot away the structure, the more expensive the eventual remediation will be. Stucco inspections can save you thousands of dollars by catching underlying damage early.

When Do You Need a Stucco Inspection?

Chimney stucco inspection

The three most common times to get a stucco inspection are when you notice moisture damage, when you are buying or selling a home, and when you see your neighbors are having remediation work done.

You Noticed Moisture Damage

If you’ve noticed mold, mildew, or fungus growing on your exterior (or interior) walls, it’s a good idea to schedule a stucco inspection. This mold, mildew, or fungus growth is likely a symptom of moisture being trapped within the wall. The other, hidden symptom of trapped moisture is that the wooden beams that make up the internal structure of the wall rot away.

While the rotting of internal structures only applies to “stick-built” homes, those with brick or concrete beneath the stucco exterior can still suffer from unsightly mold, mildew, and fungus growth if moisture becomes trapped beneath the surface.

In the event that your home does have moisture trapped within the walls, an inspection will help to identify the severity of the damage and where potential moisture hotspots are located. Of course, the full scope of the damage will not be known until remediation has begun and the existing stucco is removed from the walls.

Old stucco

What Does a Stucco Inspection Involve?

Learn more about the different levels of stucco inspection from visual to invasive.

You Are Buying or Selling a Stucco Home

When buying a stucco home, you should always request that a stucco inspection be performed before you commit to the purchase. This will save you from the headache of finding out that there is extensive underlying damage within the walls of your new home after the deal is done.

This damage can have major financial implications. You don’t want to purchase a home only to find out that you now have thousands or tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage that needs to be remediated. If this damage is discovered before you buy, the current owners may pay for the remediation or may reduce the price of the home accordingly.

When selling a stucco home, the buyer may request that you have an inspection performed for the same reason. It may be a good idea to preempt such requests by having an inspection performed before putting your home up for sale. This can speed up the process of selling your home, as you will already have the inspection report to present to potential buyers. And if remediation is needed, you may opt to have this performed before putting your home up for sale, as well.

Your Neighbors Are Having Remediation Done

Remediation

If you live in a development with houses that were all built around the same time and by the same builders, keep an eye on what work is being done on your neighbors’ homes. Chances are that if one or more of your neighbors’ homes requires having remediation work done, yours might as well. Homes that were all built at the same time and by the same builders likely have the same stucco installation flaws that allow moisture to become trapped within the walls.

Conclusion

Stucco inspections are necessary because they can identify whether or not there is hidden damage beneath the layer of stucco on your home. If left alone, this damage will only spread and the eventual remediation will become more expensive. These inspections should be performed when buying or selling a stucco home, when moisture damage is noticed, or when you notice other homes in your neighborhood requiring remediation work to be done.

Friel Exteriors

Is your home in need of a stucco inspection or remediation. If so, contact the stucco professionals at Friel Exteriors today. We can set up an appointment for your inspection and walk you through your options if damage is uncovered.