How to Repair Cracks in Stucco

Stucco repair can be an easy task.

Stucco — which is made from a mixture of sand, cement, water and lime — has numerous benefits; many homeowners find it aesthetically pleasing, and if maintained well, stucco can last up to 50 years.

However, like any type of siding, stucco is vulnerable to impact damage and settling. Climbing plants can also take over and lay down roots deep inside its surface.

Though some damage is inevitable, fortunately, you can repair and seal cracks and holes in stucco.

Here’s how to do that.

First, grab all these materials — you’ll need them:

• Quikrete Stucco Repair, Quikrete Pre-Mixed Stucco Patch or Quikrete Polyurethane Concrete Crack Sealant
• Caulk gun
• Screwdriver
• Margin trowel or putty knife
• Wire brush
• Utility knife
• Hammer
• Chisel
• Commercial solvent or citrus-based cleaner (for polyurethane concrete crack sealant)
• Cloth
• Gloves
• Safety glasses

Now, let’s fix that stucco!

Step 1

Widen the crack in your stucco to at least 1/4 inch using a chisel and hammer. The crack’s edges should be vertical or beveled in an inverted “V.”

Step 2

Break away any deteriorating concrete and remove loose material with a brush.

*See step 3A if the crack is less than ½ inch wide
*See step 3B for small, non-structural aesthetic repairs

Step 3A

Cut the nozzle tip of the Quikrete Stucco Repair at an angle with a utility knife. The cut should match the width of the crack; then load into a standard caulk gun.

Step 4A

Slowly draw the gun down the crack, forcing a bead of stucco repair caulk deep into the crack.

Step 3B

Stir Quikrete Pre-Mixed Stucco Patch using a margin trowel or putty knife.

Step 4B

Spread and texture the concrete patch to match the surrounding stucco. Then wet the trowel to achieve a smooth finish.

For patches or cracks over 1/4 inch thick, you’ll need to apply pre-mixed stucco patch in multiple layers. Allow each layer to dry before applying the next one.

Watch this video to learn how to repair cracks in stucco

How to Remove Vine Remnants From Stucco

As tempting as it might be, don’t tug on the vine’s roots. The roots on these climbing plants can penetrate deep into the stucco. If the vine is still a little green, and not completely dead, you could rip away chunks of stucco along with the vine and be left with a bigger repair job.

To remove these plant pieces without damaging the stucco, spray it with soapy water and scrub with a stiff-bristle nylon brush and soapy water. Be sure to wait until the vines are dead and sun-dried out before scrubbing them.

You can also try pool shock, calcium hypochlorite, to kill the vines. Dilute the pool shock with some water and spray onto the vines. This will dehydrate the roots and stop any further growth.

If any stucco chips away while you’re removing the vines, repair it with caulk. While it’s still wet, dab it with a small piece of carpet or paper towel to match the surrounding stucco texture. Finish off this repair with a coat of paint to blend it in.

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