Loose stucco on a chimney in Tamarac, fixed properly
Each part of the job is priced separately, from the base and lath to the finish and paint.
- Owned and run locally
- Available for same-day service
- Fully licensed and insured
- Family owned and run
Stucco trouble you can spot from the yard
- Hollow sound when the stucco is tapped
- Pieces of stucco found near the base
- Rust marks bleeding through the finish
- Crumbling stucco close to the ground
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Planning a stucco chimney repair in Tamarac
Plaster on block and plaster on lath
Stucco can be applied straight onto concrete block or brick. It can also be applied over metal lath fastened to a framed box, with sheathing and a water barrier behind it. From the yard, the two can look identical.
The difference decides the repair. Plaster applied straight to masonry is patched as masonry work. Plaster on lath over framing brings the lath, the barrier and the wood into the conversation. We tell you which assembly we believe you have and how we reached that view.
Deciding whether a stucco crack still moves
Some cracks open and close as the structure moves. Others formed once and have stayed put. Knowing which kind you have comes before choosing what goes into the crack.
For a crack that still moves, the International Masonry Institute suggests a flexible material. One option is a sealant with fine sand broadcast into it so it blends with the wall. A crack that has stopped moving can take a rigid repair mortar matched to the surface. Choosing the wrong one tends to show up as the crack reopening.
Rain splashing onto the base of the chimney
Water does not only come from above. Rain bouncing off paving, or ground water wicking upward, can keep the lowest part of the stucco damp. Splashing from the ground is a recognized source of stucco damage, and it is easy to overlook.
Look at what surrounds the base of your chimney. Hard surfaces, poor drainage and soil piled against the wall can all feed water into the plaster. We note the base conditions and suggest changes you can make, separate from any repair we price.
Base coat products that follow the plaster standard
Many stucco repairs use a pre-blended base coat that needs only water. Makers of these products state that they comply with the ASTM standard for applying portland cement-based plaster.
A pre-blended base coat gives consistent results batch to batch, which helps on a small repair. Where a matched or softer mix suits the old stucco better, we explain why we prefer it. Either way, the estimate names the material, and the written record confirms what went on the chimney. If a product change is needed partway through, we tell you first.
Parts of a stucco repair you approve
- Sounding survey of each accessible face
- Removal of failed stucco and old patches
- Scratch coat keyed to the base
- Leveling coat brought to the wall plane
Stucco chimney repair, answered plainly
Do you repaint the chimney after the stucco repair?
Painting can be part of the scope or a separate item, and the estimate says which. New stucco needs time before some paints go on. We tell you when the surface is ready and which kind of paint suits the existing coating.
Is an elastomeric coating a good idea for a stucco chimney?
It can be, on sound stucco where the water source has been fixed. Because it forms a film, it can slow drying if water gets behind it. We read the product data and look at how the chimney dries before recommending one.
Do you replace the metal lath or reuse it?
Sound lath that has only pulled away can often be refastened. Corroded or torn lath in the repair area is cut out and replaced with corrosion-resistant lath lapped into what remains. The estimate says which we expect to do.
More Ways to Care for Your Fireplace
- Smoke Chamber RepairRepair identified smoke-chamber surfaces with the access and material requirements clearly defined.
- Chimney Chase Cover ReplacementReplace the chase top with a properly planned cover and clearly defined pipe connections.
- Fireplace Hearth RepairRepair the hearth surface after considering the supporting assembly and fireplace requirements.
- Gas Fireplace Repair and ServiceGet a model-specific gas fireplace service plan for the fault you are seeing or the maintenance your unit needs.
- Prefab and Zero-Clearance Fireplace RepairIdentify and repair manufactured fireplace components using the appropriate model information.
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Chimney & Fireplace Brands We Work With
DuraVent 
Olympia Chimney and Venting 
Copperfield Chimney Supply 
Rutland 
Heatilator 
Heat & Glo