Repairing Exterior Stucco / Foundation at Grade
#1
12-27-16, 09:12 AM
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Repairing Exterior Stucco / Foundation at Grade
I'm trying to figure out what if anything needs to be done at the grade level of my exterior wall. I have found small pieces of concrete that have broken off in the dirt around the wall. Do I need to repair this and what should I do?
#2
12-27-16, 09:49 AM
Welcome to the forums!
Do you have a basement? If it's a slab or crawlspace there shouldn't be anything to worry about. It's typical to just stucco down to or slightly below the grade level. There should be either concrete block or poured concrete behind the stucco.
Do you have a basement? If it's a slab or crawlspace there shouldn't be anything to worry about. It's typical to just stucco down to or slightly below the grade level. There should be either concrete block or poured concrete behind the stucco.
#3
12-27-16, 11:42 AM
Do I see beads of styrofoam in the top picture? If so you might have synthetic stucco and should seal the bottom of that raw foam.
If this is conventional stucco then you should have the conditions that marksr mentions. Not to worry unless the aesthetics bother you.
If this is conventional stucco then you should have the conditions that marksr mentions. Not to worry unless the aesthetics bother you.
#4
12-29-16, 08:08 AM
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No its a slab. I'm located in Tampa, Florida. There is concrete behind the stucco. Its mostly concern of the aesthetics and termites coming through the dirt. I was thinking about pulling back some of the dirt and filling with mulch.
#5
12-29-16, 08:26 AM
Is your house concrete block or wood frame on a slab? Because the floor is typically so close to the ground and termites are so prevalent in fla I'd want to make sure there are no voids before laying down mulch if the exterior walls are wood framed. Do you treat for termites annually?
#7
12-29-16, 08:34 AM
I wasn't referring to the powder but whether or not you are treating for termites on a regular basis. Of all the places I've lived, fla is the worst for termites 
Is your house block or wood framed?
Is your house block or wood framed?
#8
12-29-16, 08:41 AM
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Its concrete block with an addition that's wood frame. The photos are from the wood frame section. The house was tented in May before we purchased it. Maybe I should consider a synthetic mulch or rocks instead of wood mulch? May be more expensive so wasn't sure if it was needed.
Thank you
Thank you
#9
12-29-16, 08:55 AM
Usually a house isn't tented unless termites are found. You still need to have a yearly treatment. You can buy the poison at your local big box and treat it yourself but if you sign with a company they have to guarantee their work and have an insurance policy to cover any new termite damage.
If ants are getting into the house that means there might be enough of a void somewhere for termites to enter also. It's best not to have anything built up near the wood [dirt or mulch]
If ants are getting into the house that means there might be enough of a void somewhere for termites to enter also. It's best not to have anything built up near the wood [dirt or mulch]
#12
12-30-16, 09:45 AM
The main thing is to try and leave some space between whatever is on the ground and where the framing starts. It would be better to excavate a little and then put down the mulch or rock.
I've had to go back and paint repairs on houses in fla where the landscaper or homeowner piled mulch up the stucco allowing moisture/bugs to have an easy unnoticed entrance
I've had to go back and paint repairs on houses in fla where the landscaper or homeowner piled mulch up the stucco allowing moisture/bugs to have an easy unnoticed entrance
