Stucco Remediation, Mold and Termites

Both commercial and residential properties may have stucco as the coating on the exterior of a building. Stucco is applied to present an appealing finish over concrete block, brick and masonry building materials. Stucco can be a good rainwater diverter, from the exterior of the building, if installed and coated property.

ISSUES WITH STUCCO. Unfortunately, cracks may form in the stucco due to the building settling or direct damage to the exterior coating. Once water is able to breach the coating, whether through an opening in the stucco itself or from beneath its surface, fragile stucco can begin to buckle and crumble. Wood is a common structural material that is often used as substrate beneath stucco. It can absorb moisture from at or below ground level and draw it away from the original source of the problem.

Stucco can be applied to masonry such as brick or stone, which also can be damaged by moisture infiltration. Groundwater or drainage issues are especially problematic. Damage to the stucco itself leads to further moisture infiltration that exacerbates the deterioration of the finish, as well as the substrate. This water intrusion leads to wood rot and mold on the building frame and wall cavities.

The process of repairing the stucco is referred to as “stucco remediation.” A customer’s first instinct may be to call a stucco company to repair the façade of their home, but that might not be the right thing to do. Companies that are “stucco only” will have the know-how to remove and replace the existing façade of the home.

This repair and remediation process occurs mostly around windows, gutters, doorways, flashings and the stucco wall cavities themselves. Incorrect materials and installation, and water weep screed, are typically the problem. While this is important, it may simply cover up the effects caused by the moisture. The structural integrity of your customer’s home can still be in jeopardy if the underlying problems still exist. Simply put, a stucco repair company could lack the knowledge and ability to identify and repair the problems that result from the water damage. And if they aren’t properly corrected, that can lead to even more damage and expense in the future.

Moisture intrusion most often affects stucco-clad homes, but it also can affect homes made of brick, stone, wood or composite siding. In my experience, these moisture problems typically affect homes built between 1985 and 2003. Having the right person inspect your customer’s home for damage is crucial to find and repair problems to the home’s wood structure that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Rot and mold within the wall cavity can cause serious damage, causing thousands of dollars in repairs and remediation. A stucco moisture inspection should be completed. A stucco moisture inspection may include exterior and interior probe testing, with sample inspection holes cut into substrates, a moisture meter testing, an infrared camera inspection and a borescope inspection.

BEST PRACTICES. Pest management companies can provide stucco inspections and maintenance if they are properly trained to do so. What follows are a list of best practices your staff should adhere to when thinking about taking on this service offering:

1. Commercial and residential properties need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis, and have a wood- destroying organism (WDO) report completed.
2. Infrared cameras, moisture meters and borescopes also may be required for termite inspections. Your technicians should be trained to use this specialized equipment, as well as have access to it when needed.
3. Grading and sloping the property foundation landscape and soil away from the building will help keep moisture away from stucco.
4. Installing downspouts, gutters, flashing and other means of directing water away from the building will prevent damage from becoming worse.
5. Consider performing a stucco inspection with visual, invasive and non-invasive moisture meter readings, and thermal imaging.

Periodic maintenance and inspection of the exterior stucco cladding is vital to preventing water and moisture intrusion into commercial and residential properties. Mitigating any primary water damage intrusion and leaks from exterior stucco cladding will help prevent secondary damages to commercial and residential properties. These best practices will help pest management firms prevent and alleviate commercial and residential properties from stucco remediation, water intrusion, wood rot, mold and termites.

The author is the marketing manager of SERVPRO of Blackwood and Gloucester Township, N.J., which is a U.S. Navy, veteran-owned small business. He is a member of the New Jersey Pest Management Association and a registered government contractor.