Loose stucco on a chimney in Silver Bluff, fixed properly
If the repair area grows once the wall is open, you approve the change before we continue.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Stucco cracks and bulges worth mentioning
- Pieces of stucco found near the base
- Paint peeling on one chimney face
- Stucco pulling away at a corner
- Damp marks indoors beside the chimney
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Our approach to stucco chimneys in Silver Bluff
What a pattern of stucco cracks can suggest
Crack patterns can point in different directions. A fine web across one face may come from how the plaster dried. A single long crack can follow movement or a joint in the structure. Cracks with rust marks beside them may follow corroding metal inside.
None of these readings is certain from the surface alone. We describe the pattern we see, the causes it is consistent with, and what would confirm one over another. That keeps the repair aimed at the likely cause rather than only at the lines themselves.
Stop the water before the stucco repair
The National Park Service identifies water as the main cause of stucco deterioration. Water that keeps reaching the plaster from above or behind will undo a patch, however carefully it is made.
We therefore look for the entry point before we price the plaster work. It may be the chimney top, the flashing at the roof, a gutter, or rain splashing up from the ground. If the source belongs to another repair, it appears as a separate item, and we explain the order in which the work should happen.
The water barrier behind stucco on a chase
Stucco on a framed chase needs a water-resistive barrier behind it. Over wood sheathing, the code asks for a barrier that performs at least like a double layer of building paper. Each layer forms its own continuous plane.
When a repair opens the stucco down to the sheathing, the barrier in that area is repaired or replaced and lapped so water drains down and out. A patch that skips the barrier can look right and still let water into the framing. We note the barrier's condition in the written record of the work.
Stucco applied over brick or stone
Stucco is sometimes applied over a brick or stone chimney. Where the joints were not already recessed, the National Park Service notes they were customarily raked out to give the stucco a key. That roughened surface is what the first coat grips.
If stucco over brick has come loose, the brick surface is prepared again before new coats go on. We clean the face, rake joints where needed and dampen the masonry. Where the brick itself is damaged, that repair belongs to masonry work and appears as a separate item.
What we check before pricing stucco work
- Lath and fasteners in the repair area
- Water barrier where framing is exposed
- Sealant at stucco transitions
- Exploratory opening with your approval
Asked about stucco patches and finishes
Is chimney parging the same thing as stucco?
On the outside of a chimney they are closely related, and people use the words loosely. Both are cement coatings over masonry, and we repair them the same way. Parging inside a smoke chamber is a separate job with different materials.
Can you restucco a chimney that has many layers of paint?
Yes, but the paint layers matter. Loose paint has to come off, and a heavily painted surface may need a bonding agent or full removal before new stucco can grip. We test the surface and explain the approach in the estimate.
When is a hose water test part of a stucco job?
No. We run a hose water test only when the job calls for it, usually when the entry point is still unclear after the inspection. We explain why it would help before doing it.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Firebox RepairRepair the damaged fireplace chamber using an approach suited to masonry or manufactured components.
- Chimney Cap Installation and ReplacementProtect the chimney opening with a cap chosen for its fit, attachment and compatible system.
- Chimney Leak RepairFind the chimney water entry point and plan a repair before restoring the damaged finish.
- Chimney Crown RepairRepair the damaged chimney top with an approach matched to the crown and supporting masonry.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
We received your request
Our team will contact you to arrange your inspection.
Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo