Homeowners in Los Altos call Ace Stucco & Plastering when their stucco starts looking tired, hairline cracks begin branching out across the walls, or the color has faded from years of harsh sun exposure. Stucco Redashing is usually the best fix without tearing everything down to the studs, but it raises a lot of questions. We will walk through what you actually need to know about the Stucco Redashing process, the costs, and what to expect.
What exactly is Stucco Redashing?
Stucco Redashing means applying a brand new, thin finish coat over your existing, structurally sound stucco wall. Think of it as a fresh skin for your house. Ace Stucco & Plastering does not tear down the old lath and scratch coats during Stucco Redashing. Instead, we prep the surface, apply a bonding agent, and spray or hand-trowel a fresh layer of finish coat that seals up cracks and completely updates the look of your home in Los Altos.
How do I know if my house needs a redash or a full re-stucco?
Tap on your walls. If it sounds hollow in large patches, or if you notice severe crumbling, moisture intrusion, and rotting wood framing underneath, Stucco Redashing will not cut it. You need a complete tear-off. But if the underlying base coat is solid and your main issues are surface-level crazing, fading color, or minor weathering common on older ranch-style homes near downtown Los Altos, Stucco Redashing is the way to go.
How long does a typical Stucco Redashing project take?
For an average single-family home around the Rancho or Country Club neighborhoods, you are looking at about three to five days from start to finish. Weather plays a huge role here in the Los Altos climate. If it is too hot or raining, we have to adjust our schedule. We spend the first day prepping and masking, followed by the application and curing time required for Stucco Redashing.
Can you match my existing stucco texture and color?
Usually, yes, but matching an old wall is an art, not an exact science. Over decades, sun and weather change the look of original stucco. If you want a uniform look, we do our best to match the dash or lace texture during Stucco Redashing. Most homeowners take Stucco Redashing as an opportunity to change the color of the whole house anyway. Ace Stucco & Plastering always sprays a test patch on an inconspicuous wall first so you can sign off on it before we complete the Stucco Redashing work on the whole place.
Will Stucco Redashing stop my walls from cracking again?
No honest contractor will promise you that stucco will never crack. Silicon Valley has clay-heavy soil in pockets, and minor shifting happens. What a good Stucco Redashing project will do is bridge all those unsightly existing hairline cracks and give you a flexible, breathable modern finish that handles normal thermal expansion much better than a 40-year-old dried-out coat.
How should I maintain my newly redashed stucco?
Give your Stucco Redashing project time to cure properly—keep it slightly damp for a few days if the weather is hot and dry. After that, keep sprinklers from hitting the walls directly, and wash off any dirt buildup once a year with a low-pressure garden hose. Avoid high-pressure washers because they can chew up the finish coat faster than you would think.
For homes and businesses in Los Altos, Ace Stucco & Plastering provides Stucco Redashing services.