posted by: Ellen - 04-07-2007 | 6:15PM
I have owned what was represented to me as a concrete block and stucco house (75 years old!) for 5 years. The exterior xwalls are 12-13" thick and interior are 9-10" thick. Right after I bought it, I had it painted with an elastomeric paint which presently is peeling and cracking and mildewing. Help! I have been researching the subject and lean toward peeling off the stucco completely and re-doing all the layers. That also would enable me to add insulation - the exterior walls are FREEZING in the winter!
P.S. This house is a 1-story with a footprint of approximately 40\' x 30\' footprint (including a covered porch and a parapet disguising a flat roof covered with a membrane I expect to begin failing soon.
reply by: James River Ext. - 04-08-2007 | 1:10PM
Your problems may or may not be related to the stucco. It is possible that the elastomeric is not compatible with the portland based stucco or the coating / paint that was installed previously. Anything from not using bond enhancer to a moisture intrusion problem could also be causing your issues. I would not recommend removing the stucco because it could cause a lot more problems than it is worth. The force required to remove an old stucco from a block substrate would more than likely cause numerous issues for the interior plaster as well. I suggest you explore one of the EIFS products (Dryvit) to install the insulation layer over the existing stucco and then refinish to give you a new low maintenance exterior with excellent thermal efficiency.
If you have any additional questions, please call our office. If you are local, we would be more than willing to visit the property.
