Reasons Your Stucco Might Be Cracking

Splits in the stucco are an eyesore, but they may also be a sign of a foundation that is failing.

If you notice cracks in your stucco, know that they are never the cause of the problem; rather, they are merely an indicator of a larger underlying issue. You need to know which cracks in the stucco should be taken seriously and which are merely cosmetic.

Damage to Stucco
Fractures in the Stucco Look Like a Spider’s Web
Spider cracks in stucco look like, you guessed it, a spiderweb. Inadequate amounts of mud in the stucco mix lead to spiderweb cracks (often created by overuse of water). Similarly, if the day was too hot to dry the mud evenly/properly, these cracks can form as the mud mixture dries.

This is not a major concern for the stability of your home’s foundation or structure.

Fine Fissures in the Stucco
Stucco hairline cracks are small fissures, typically no wider than a sixteenth of an inch. The name “hairline cracks” comes from the similarity to strands of hair that these fractures have. Incorrect mud mixture, new home settlement (from drying timber/framing), seismic movement, and foundation settlement can all cause hairline cracks in stucco.

The majority of the time, hairline cracks in stucco aren’t a sign of anything seriously wrong with your home’s foundation or structural integrity. It’s a bigger deal if the split is both wider and deeper. Furthermore, if you ignore hairline cracks and let them get worse, water may seep into and through your stucco, causing further damage.

*Note – stairstep cracks can be the result of hairline cracks in stucco. In other words, the cracks have the same pattern as the masonry. Typically, a foundation settlement would cause a crack pattern like this.

In conclusion, tiny cracks in stucco are common and easily repaired. There is usually no need to worry about serious signs of foundation or structural decay. However, the foundation settlement-caused hairline cracks will likely reappear and widen after the repair.

Diagonal cracks appear in the stucco.
Door and window frames and air conditioning units are common sources of diagonal line cracks in stucco. These cracks almost always indicate serious foundation damage due to the settlement or heave of the foundation.

Fractured Stucco in a Cross Pattern
The fissures in the stucco, arranged in a crisscross pattern, resemble a grid with intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. Clearly, the lath was not set up correctly. The mud stucco adheres to the lath, which is a framework made of mesh, metal wire, or a waterproof paper pattern.

Stucco stress cracks may appear if the lath was not securely fastened to the building, such as by using staples or nails.

This stucco crack needs to have the lath entirely removed and replaced in order to be fixed. This is not something you should try to tackle on your own. Getting help from a construction firm or expert handyman is highly recommended.

Chips in the Stucco Foam Molding

If the fiberglass mesh tape used in stucco installation is not applied properly, the foam trim may crack (if used at all). As a consequence, the joint between two stucco pieces becomes less watertight. Stucco foam trim cracks can widen and deepen as a result of seasonal changes in humidity and temperature.

If you don’t repair these fissures, the elements will get in and cause serious damage. Having a professional handyman or construction company take care of the issue is a must.

Foundation movement causes cracks in the stucco exterior.
Cracks in the stucco around the foundation are an alarming sign of structural damage. Most of the stucco cracks we see at Dalinghaus are caused by the foundation shifting.

Stucco develops diagonal and hairline cracks because of foundation movement. In particular, diagonal cracks are a telltale symptom of foundation settlement. These fissures are cause for concern.

Ineffective, non-load-bearing soil can cause foundation settlement, which is when a building’s base sinks into the ground. Expansive soils, like loam or clay, are examples of the type of soil that is too brittle to support plants (which are both highly impacted by the volume of water saturation). Soil expands in response to increased water and contracts in response to decreased water.

Common types of stucco cracks and their corresponding severity levels were discussed. Foundation settlement, a severe form of foundation failure, was also covered, as was the development of stucco hairline cracks and diagonal stucco line cracks. Foundation settlement is the leading cause of noticeable stucco cracks.

You’ve probably had it with the ridicule your stucco house has drawn. Restore your stucco to its former glory by having it professionally repaired or by using a patch and paint job. We’d be happy to come by and look at your house to see what’s causing the cracks in the stucco and offer our professional opinion. In order to help spread knowledge and promote calm, the RLM Retrofit Foundation is present. When you need a Foundation Inspection Big Bear or repairs, give us a call.

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