Expansion Gaps Smooth Stucco Siding

The process of smoothing stucco in most cases there s no need to remove the old stucco to create a smoother surface.

Expansion gaps smooth stucco siding.

Such gaps can allow for excessive amounts of water to get past the stucco and therefore should be caulked on an annual basis. The manufacturer requires a 3 16 gap at the end of each piece of siding. Sanded caulk has particles in it that help it adhere to wet surfaces and expand in larger gaps without cracking. Unsanded caulk has a smooth appearance and texture.

Wipe away any excess caulk. Caulk can be either sanded or unsanded. James hardie recommends that a slip sheet joint flashing is installed behind each butt joint in the siding. Asphalt saturated fiberboard designed for expansion joints.

There is no need to leave a gap for expansion. Hardie boards should be joined in moderate contact. This includes butt joints and places where the siding terminates vertically against windows doors and other fixtures. Clean out the crack using a scraping tool and a wire brush so that there is no loose material and the caulk has a good surface to bond to.

This affected most of the fiberboard between the patio and house. Where stucco meets a window door electrical box dryer vent or any other wall penetration you may notice a small expansion gap. The pro s first step will be to power wash the home. But on the exterior gaps in stucco siding can lead not only to further degradation of the stucco but also to a host of nasty issues mold growth for example or pest infestations.

Fill any low spots or remaining gaps with additional caulking until the gap. If there are minor cracks in your stucco this is a project that most san francisco homeowners can tackle if they want to. This means that the boards should be touching each other when they are installed. It has a grainy texture and appearance.

Quikrete has a stucco repair product that is textured to match the surrounding stucco and can fill gaps up to 1 2 an inch wide. Gaps are normal and should be expected since dissimilar materials expand at different rates. After that the pro will apply a new stucco base coat. Wet your finger and gently wipe the caulk in the gap to give it a smooth rounded appearance.

Use sanded caulk any time you use sanded grout and in joints 1 8 inch or wider.