How To Remove Damaged Block And Repair Exterior Wall

How-To Repair Exterior Cinderblock Walls with Stucco

By Scott Arnold on How To

Ohio Power Tool - Buy. Rent. Repair

How-To Repair Exterior Cinderblock Walls with Stucco

Since the early 19th century Stucco has been used to cover less appealing construction materials such as concrete, metal and cinder block. Designed for outside employ, it wasn't until late 19th century that builders started to utilize it on interior applications as well.

Old decaying walls can really be an eye sore. More ofttimes than not they become the focal point of your grand, fifty-fifty if you take the nicest holding in your neighborhood. It is similar driving past an accident on the highway, you know you don't want to stare, but we ever do!

Recently I had a customer who had some serious issues with some patio walls in their lawn. They love to entertain only shied away from barbeques and parties due to a couple ugly cinderblock walls. With their son's altogether coming upwardly they decided to stucco over the walls to brand them more appealing.

old cinderblock wall

Step 1 – Prep

The outset step in stuccoing walls is to prep them correctly. Yous need to make sure y'all remove any crumbling blocks and loose debris. Chip away and piece that may stick out further then others to ensure yous have a nice flat service. Clean off the walls with a brush removing all the dust and dirt. In cases similar mine the walls had some pieces of block that were completely missing due to poor drainage. Fill them in with some mortar and let it dry. You desire to make sure you are as close to level / apartment equally possible before y'all first applying the Stucco.

When applying new stucco to an existing concrete yous need to apply a bonding agent. In our example we used Quikrete Bonding Amanuensis that we picked up at the local Home Depot. Instead of roughing up the pre-existing physical, you merely curlicue or brush on the amanuensis. The directions indicated to apply new stucco inside three hours of applying.

Step two – Mixing Stucco

Now that your walls are prepped and bonding agent is drying, you need to start mixing your stucco. Stucco is made of iv major components: Portland Cement, sand, lime and water. The mixing ratio may vary depending on who y'all inquire. For our walls we used three parts sand, one part lime and one part Portland cement. Nosotros add water until it is the consistency of brick mortar.

You want to be intendance when mixing mortar as information technology can dry out out quickly. My rule of thumb is only mix about xc minutes worth. Annihilation more than that dries out as well chop-chop and you lot are constantly adding more materials to it to get it back to workable consistency. Another matter to consider is the temperature. Hot and humid days will speed up the drying process and typically slows down your work speed. On hot humid days, I typically volition only mix small-scale a amount at a time.

stucco mixing

Step 3 – Applying the Stucco

First Coat

Typically I similar to apply ii coats of stucco on the walls I am covering. First glaze is my filler or skim coat and the second glaze is my finished coat. Work your stucco over the large cracks and gaps first filling them in before you start applying the stucco to the whole wall. If y'all just offset applying it and ignoring the large gaps or cracks you are going to accept an issue when you trowel over them. The stucco will not stick well. And then I recommend hitting those first.

In one case y'all have your first coat applied, take a Stucco Float and knock downwardly the rough edges. Information technology doesn't have to be perfect. Save that for your finished glaze. Be sure to clean upwardly your work area in one case your get-go coat is consummate. Stuccoing is a messy job, be sure to clean upward while the stucco is still moisture, information technology will avoid a lot of scraping afterward.

Finished Glaze

After the stucco is dry, you are ready to apply your finishing coat. With this coat, you lot want to pay attention to making it as smooth as possible. I find working from the lesser upwards works all-time for me.

One time I get the stucco practical, I allow it to set simply a bit before I utilise my sponge float to shine it out. With the sponge bladder, apply plenty of water, shine out the stucco making sure you pay close attending to your seems if you lot have any. The seems are going to show if you practice not plume them properly. Just similar mud and tape on drywall, your seams are disquisitional and usually the commencement identify that fails.

DIY or Not?

Is Stucco piece of cake enough for the DIY'er to tackle? Admittedly! There is little yous need to know when stuccoing. Make certain y'all have the correct materials and the right tools and you should be all ready. Besides, can you make the wall any uglier than information technology already is, right?!?!

Stucco can exist done in a weekend, or if you are really good, you lot can nail it in a day. Take your time, make sure your mix is perfect, your seams are shine and your area is kept clean and you will be a Stucco pro before you lot know it!