Stucco: An Affordable and Stylish Siding Material For Modern Homes
Stucco is a popular siding material for residential, commercial and strata siding. It is a mixture of cement, sand, lime, and water. This mixture creates a porous textured surface and can be applied directly to masonary or over wire mesh onto wood or steel. Stucco is available in many colors, it also resistant to fire, weather and pests. Stucco is also cost effective siding material and can last a long time if maintained properly.
A Lasting Impression: The Importance Of Keeping Your Stucco Siding Clean
Due to its porous nature, stucco has a tendency to accumulate dirt, algae, and mold growth quickly. Unlike other siding materials such as vinyl, dirt can penetrate deep into the material and be extremely challenging to clean with conventional methods. If stucco is not properly maintained, it can develop cracks over time. These cracks may arise from temperature fluctuations, or moisture. Cracks in stucco will grow larger over time eventually causing the material to completely peel away from the substrate. Leaving stucco dirty for a long time can also result in permanent staining that can only be fixed by painting. It typically costs 40 times more to repaint a stucco home than to have it professionally washed.
Understanding Why Stucco Should Never Be Pressure Washed
When it comes to cleaning you home it is crucial to understand that pressure washing can damage many surfaces, it should only be used on hard surfaces such as concrete. Stucco is a porous and delicate material using high pressure water can cause cracks and chipping. Pressure washing can also force water into the substrate and cause it to loosen and peel.
Soft Washing: The Ideal Way To Clean Stucco Siding
Soft washing is a gentle way of cleaning that uses specialized cleaning solutions to dissolve away dirt, algae, and staining. Unlike traditional cleaning methods that use abrasion or high pressure, soft washing can penetrate deep into the textured surface of stucco to wash away dirt that would normally be impossible to reach. Soft washing can be used on almost any surface and results in a uniform clean without leaving behind unsightly lines and stripes.
