Unlike other siding materials, stucco has some serious staying power. When properly applied, it can last for decades without needing maintenance. According to a Department of Energy study, “Properly applied stucco will have a useful service life of 100 years.”
Inspect stucco at least annually for cracks or damage and repair them as soon as possible so water doesn’t seep behind the stucco finish.  Unless you know the exact cause of the damage, it’s possible that you need a closer look prior to “covering up” a potential long-term problem.
Stucco typically doesn’t need cleaning. Stains may indicate water drainage issues from other parts of your home, dirt from home improvement efforts, or changes in your landscape design. If it’s a particularly dirty wall area, hose it off with your garden hose.
Use gutters and check them periodically to make sure they’re not clogged, damaged, or leaking water onto the stucco wall. This is Southern California and we all know from the popular song lyrics that it never rains here. Living here though, we also know that when it does… it does!
Don’t put planters that hold water, such as window boxes, against your stucco. If you do choose this type of landscaping, MAKE SURE there’s adequate drainage.  The paper used in stucco is referred to as a Water-Resistant barrier, it’s not Water-Proof!
Trim trees and shrubs near your walls so they don’t rub against your stucco.
Use drip irrigation systems around the perimeter of the home to water your shrubs. Avoid sprinkling or spraying water onto the siding to water the plants. It may simplify watering your shrubs, but not so good for your stucco walls.
Keep soil levels around the perimeter of your home below the stucco finish. Stucco is porous and will wick up moisture from your lawn or flower bed, just about any soil touching it.
Stucco is one of the most popular siding materials in use in San Diego.  We use stucco both for residential and commercial construction and have been since the early California settlers – and we see great examples in our historical landmarks as well as homes built here in the 1900s forward as we’ve grown and expanded.
When you find yourself in need of our stucco services – small repairs, restucco for your existing home, and new stucco construction, reach out to Nurse Stucco for your free estimate.