Properly Applying Exterior Stucco
Whenever you stand back and look at a finished wall, it seems as if applying exterior stucco should really be a fairly simple project. This is especially true whenever you're looking at a house that was done by a professional, as it is really going to be a seamless project. The fact of the matter is, however, there are a number of different things that go into the application of stucco which will really help the job to look right whenever it is done. Here are the basic steps to applying exterior stucco and how you may be able to do it on your own.
One of the first things that I should mention is that you're going to need to prepare the area properly in order for the stucco to adhere. Any damage that happens to be on the outside of the house shall be repaired now, as the stucco will not always be enough to stop any existing leaks. You should also pressure wash the house, making sure that you don't use too high of a pressure spray as to damage the stucco. Using a cleaning agent with a pressure washer will help to make sure that it is clean and that the new layer of stucco will adhere properly.
The next thing that you need to do is to choose from among the hundreds of different stucco finishes and read up on it if you're only going to be applying stucco to a certain part of the house, you're going to need to learn how to do it properly in order to match the existing finish. Then try applying exterior stucco by taking a practice run on a scrap piece of concrete. This helps you to be comfortable with the process before you begin doing it.
It is very important that you get a mixer whenever you are applying stucco as well. If you're going to be doing the design work, enlist the help of somebody who will be mixing the stucco for you. This can help you get more done during the day and will allow you to be fresh so that you can concentrate more on the artistic side of the application.
Apply the stucco in steps; go thicker on the coating which will help you to smooth everything out and a thinner upper coating which is where the design will exist. You can then go about painting stucco, choosing a suitable paint that will last for many years.
Although it may seem that applying exterior stucco is a simple project, many professionals have spent years in order to obtain just the right touch. You can get good enough that it will look adequate within a short period of time, but make sure that you allow yourself the practice that you need. It would also help if you started on an area of the house that is not as visible and then complete the job in the area that people see. By the time you get there, you will be an old hand at it.
