Fixing chimney stucco and its water source in Lauderdale Lakes
Debris is cleaned up and hauled away, and the work is backed by our workmanship warranty.
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- Available for same-day service
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Signs chimney stucco is starting to fail
- A bulge or swelling in the plaster
- Rust spots lined up in rows
- A long crack near the roof line
- Gaps where stucco meets the roof
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Stucco repair details that decide the result
Rusting lath inside the stucco
Metal lath and nails inside stucco can rust when water reaches them. Rust takes up more room than the steel it replaces, and the National Park Service notes that this expansion can crack and spall the plaster from within.
Rust stains, bulges in a line and flaking that follows the lath pattern can all hint at this. Where it is the cause, a surface patch is not enough. The corroded lath in the repair area has to be cut out and replaced, and we include that work in the estimate.
Corrosion-resistant lath and fasteners by code
The Florida Building Code's exterior plaster section requires lath and its attachments to be corrosion-resistant. It also points to the ASTM standards for how lath is fastened and how plaster is applied.
When we replace lath in a repair area, the new lath and fasteners follow that requirement. We fasten the new lath into sound framing or backing and lap it with the lath that stays. The estimate names the lath and fastener type, so you can see what is going behind the finish.
The written record of your stucco repair
Once the last coat is on, we hand you a written record of the job. It describes the areas repaired, the base conditions we found, the materials used and any lath or barrier that was replaced.
The record is useful later. If a crack appears somewhere else on the chimney, you can see whether it is in the repaired area or outside it. It also helps whoever paints, sells or maintains the house understand what was done. Keep it with the other papers for the property.
Dark streaks and growth on damp stucco
Dark streaks or green growth on part of a stucco chimney usually mark an area that stays wet. Organic growth needs moisture, so its location is a useful clue. It often sits below a drip, a ledge or a leaking detail.
Gentle cleaning with low-pressure water and soft natural bristle brushes is the approach preservation guidance describes. We follow it where cleaning is part of the scope. More important is why that area stays damp, and we look for the answer before recommending a repair.
Stucco repair scope for homes in Lauderdale Lakes
- Water barrier where framing is exposed
- Corner and casing beads checked
- Scratch coat keyed to the base
- Access by ladder, roof or scaffold
Common questions on stucco chimneys
Can one damaged area be repaired without redoing the whole face?
Often, yes. A defined patch works well where the base is sound and the loose area is limited. We map the hollow zone first. If the color match on a prominent face worries you, refinishing the face is offered as a separate option.
Why not just seal stucco cracks with caulk?
Caulk weathers differently from stucco, holds dirt and often shows more than the crack did. On a fine, stable crack, a thin mineral slurry or a repair mortar suits better. A flexible sealant is kept for cracks that still move.
Are hairline cracks in the finish worth repairing?
Many are surface matters that a thin slurry or paint can close. We still tap around them and check whether they line up with anything behind the plaster. If both checks are clean, the repair can stay small.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Chimney Flashing RepairRepair the chimney-to-roof connection with a scope that accounts for the adjoining roofing and masonry.
- Chimney Masonry RepairRepair affected chimney brickwork and joints with materials selected for the construction already in place.
- Fireplace RestorationCoordinate fireplace repairs while preserving suitable existing features and defining the intended use.
- Chimney Damper Repair and ReplacementRestore a usable damper mechanism after checking the plate, frame and control linkage.
- Wood-Burning Fireplace Insert InstallationFit a wood-burning insert after assessing its host fireplace and full connection requirements.
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Local service. Careful repairs. A fireplace worth coming home to.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo