Your stucco takes a beating from the elements more than you might realize. Down here in Beverly Hills, we get plenty of intense sunshine, dry spells, and the occasional winter downpour that tests every square inch of your exterior walls. If you want to keep your plaster looking solid and avoid expensive repairs down the line, you have to stay ahead of the curve. Beverly Hills Stucco & Plastering tells homeowners every single week about protecting their exterior walls in Beverly Hills, CA.
Timing Your Stucco Work Around Our Climate
You cannot just slap new stucco on a wall whenever you feel like it. Our local climate dictates the schedule. Summer temperatures in the Flats can bake wet plaster too fast, causing it to dry out before it cures properly, which leads to hairline cracks. That is why smart contractors love scheduling major installation and patch work during the milder spring and fall months. When the air is cool and damp, the cement hydrates at the right speed. If you are planning a project, aim for those windows.
Rain is another factor we have to watch. Even though Southern California is mostly dry, a sudden winter storm can ruin fresh base coats if they are not fully set. Beverly Hills Stucco & Plastering always keeps a close eye on the five-day forecast before mixing a single batch of material for Stucco work in Beverly Hills.
Beat the Heat and Dry Spells
Those long stretches of dry heat take a serious toll on exterior finishes. Stucco actually needs moisture to cure and stay strong, which sounds crazy when you are dealing with a dry heat wave. If you notice your walls getting dusty or looking chalky during a hot spell, a light misting with a garden hose can actually help prevent premature drying. Just do not blast it with a high-pressure washer.
Speaking of pressure washers, keep them away from your delicate finish coat. Too much pressure blows right through the texture and chips the cement. Stick to a standard garden hose and a soft brush if you need to wash off dust from the Santa Ana winds.
Spotting Problems Before They Grow
Walk around your property once a month. Look closely at the corners of your windows and doors where the house settles. Hairline cracks happen, but if you can slide a credit card into a fissure, it is time to call for a patch job before moisture gets behind the barrier. Water intrusion in our stucco walls leads to lath rust and crumbling plaster very quickly once it starts.
Beverly Hills Stucco & Plastering provides Stucco services for homes and businesses in Beverly Hills.