How to Maintain and Clean Your Stucco Exterior

Maintain and Clean Your Stucco Exterior

How to Maintain and Clean Your Stucco ExteriorStucco is famous for its rugged durability and long lifespan. However, "low maintenance" does not mean "no maintenance." Over time, dirt, dust, algae, and hard water stains can settle into the textured surface, leaving your beautiful exterior looking dull and dingy.
Fortunately, keeping your stucco in top shape doesn't require a professional crew every time. With a little care and the right approach, you can easily maintain its curb appeal. Here is your essential guide to maintaining and cleaning your stucco exterior.

Step 1: The Annual InspectionBefore you break out the hose, take a walk around your house. The best maintenance is preventative maintenance. At least once a year, thoroughly inspect your exterior walls for the following:

• Hairline Cracks: Small cracks are normal, but they should be sealed with an exterior acrylic caulk to prevent water from getting behind the stucco.
  
• Chipping or Spalling: Look for areas where the stucco is flaking off, especially near the foundation.
  
• Clogged Weep Screeds: At the very bottom of your stucco walls, there is a metal track (the weep screed) that allows trapped moisture to drain. Make sure dirt, mulch, or debris isn't burying it.
  

Step 2: Prep Your Work AreaCleaning stucco can get messy, and the cleaning solutions can be tough on delicate landscaping.

• Close all your windows and doors tightly.
  
• Cover nearby plants, shrubs, and outdoor furniture with plastic tarps.
  
• Wet the ground and foundation around the area you are cleaning so that any runoff gets diluted immediately.
  

Step 3: Gentle Washing (The Garden Hose Method)When it comes to cleaning stucco, gentle is always better. Stucco is porous, and hitting it with highly pressurized water can blast away the finish or force water deep into the walls.

1. Pre-Soak: Start at the bottom and work your way up. Spraying the wall from bottom to top prevents dirty water from running down and staining dry stucco.
   
2. Apply a Cleaner: For general dirt, mix a solution of warm water and a mild dish soap. Use a pump sprayer to apply it to the wall.
   
3. Scrub Lightly: Use a soft-bristled brush (like a car wash brush on a pole) to gently scrub the surface. Avoid stiff wire brushes, which will scratch the finish.
   
4. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the wall with your garden hose, this time working from the top down to wash all the dirt and soap away.
   

Step 4: Tackling Tough StainsSometimes, dish soap just isn't enough. Here is how to handle the heavy hitters:

• Mold, Mildew, and Algae: If you have green or black spots, mix equal parts water and white vinegar, or use a specialized oxygen bleach cleaner. Apply it, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, scrub gently, and rinse.
  
• Rust Stains: These usually happen around metal light fixtures or gutters. Use a rust-removing cleaner specifically formulated for masonry.
  
• Efflorescence (White Chalky Stains): This is caused by salt deposits left behind by evaporating water. Scrub it with a soft brush and a mixture of one part white vinegar to five parts water.
  

A Warning About Power Washing: > Can you power wash stucco? Yes, but you must be incredibly careful. If you choose to use a pressure washer, use a wide-angle tip (40 degrees or more), keep the pressure under 1,500 PSI, and stand at least two feet back from the wall. If you spray too close or too hard, you will chip the paint and damage the finish coat. When in doubt, stick to the garden hose!
By dedicating just one weekend a year to inspecting and washing your home's exterior, you will keep your stucco looking fresh, vibrant, and structurally sound for decades.

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