stucco, the finishing touches
Feature Story
In the Southwest, stucco can be either a modern or a classic home exterior. From the earthy tones often preferred by Santa Fe homeowners, to the dark red of many homes in the Jemez Mountains, to the smoother, lighter shades often chosen for modern architecture in the Albuquerque metro, Shannon and Martin Biddle of Tesuque Stucco Company in Corrales can take you through the process from start to finish. The first step, says Shannon, is knowing when
your stucco exterior needs attention. It's important to catch wear and damage "…before it's a crisis," she says.
Cracks can occur from faulty installation and poor materials, and delaminating — the outer layer peeling away from the base layer — is a result of water damage. Shannon advises paying special attention to the north side of your home, especially if a sidewalk or flagstone meets the bottom edge of the stucco. When water freezes and thaws in the winter, it can wick up behind the stucco and cause damage, including water getting into the house.
Shannon said, “It's not a roofing issue, it's a stucco issue."
Another place to check, if you own a home with a flat roof, are the parapets, where the stucco extends above the line of the roof. Often homeowners will call a roofing company when they have a leak, only to find that the freezing and thawing of winter, especially in Santa Fe, has caused water to get into small cracks in the stucco on the parapets, making them bigger with each season, "…just like potholes," Shannon explains.
Fortunately, for these and all other stucco related issues, the Biddle family, most of whom are involved in the husband and wife partnership of Tesuque Stucco, has a solution which is grounded solidly in following a six step process, using the synthetic materials, which are flexible, waterproof and carry a lifetime warranty, and a commitment to ethical business practices and customer service.
"We're in the business of doing really good work and providing good service for our customers," Shannon said.
It starts with high quality materials, which cost more at the outset, but reduce the likelihood of ever needing repair. The six step process begins with clearing — trenching around the perimeter — and then cleaning the entire surface of the walls. This is followed by protecting the surface with heavy-duty nylon mesh and water-resistant resin, especially important to seal the parapets. Next, undiluted acrylic primer prepares for the finishing stage, the wall surface which is applied by hand. All this work is done by skilled, trained employees.
"Skilled plasterers who work for us have at least five years' experience," says Shannon. "We're in the business of doing really good work and providing good service for our customers."
Like Tesuque Stucco, Castillo's Builders Inc. has been doing stucco for 20 years, and is a family business in Albuquerque. Isidro Castillo, owner, is also impressed with the durability and warranties available with modern, high-quality synthetic stuccos, although he has seen traditional, concrete-based stuccos perform well if properly installed and maintained. Homeowners should look for obvious signs, such as cracking, flaking, peeling and a faded appearance, when deciding when to call in the experts.
Castillo works with his crew throughout the process, which starts with a power wash and emphasizes attention to detail, such as masking and covering all the surfaces, such as doors, windows and trim, which must remain free of stucco. He wants to "…make sure we are delivering a clean product."
In cases of severe damage, walls are filled and made even with the rest of the surface, before the protective layer of fiberglass is applied.
Regarding materials, Castillo advises homeowners to look for stucco professionals who use good quality products. While labor can be guaranteed for up to 15 years, high-quality synthetic materials can have a lifetime warranty, and can realistically last up to 35-40 years if, he emphasizes, they are properly installed.
He said, "Going with the least expensive is not always a smart move. Look for quality and warranty. Be wise."
Whether you are buying a new home or maintaining the home you already love, attention to detail both protects your investment and gives the satisfaction of a visually appealing design. Here in the Southwest, stucco fits in with the natural beauty of the surroundings, and can be a practical, durable choice. Doing a little research and selecting a stucco professional who meets your requirements will go a long way toward enjoying a trouble-free home exterior.