[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by DangeloInspections

Dear Chatbrat,

Yes, it is normal and prudent. On a concrete block stucco home the only thing protecting your home from moisture intrusion, (the #1 enemy of your home) is your paint. A stucco home usually needs repainting every 7-10 years.....perhaps longer IF you use a better quality paint than is on the home.

Actually, we tell people that they should look at the stucco annually and caulk any and all cracking with elastomeric stucco caulk and then touch up where the cracks were with paint.

Of course, many folks neglect to do everything I just wrote....and perhaps they "get by" until a major rain event occurs...then water gets into those micro-cracks and into your block, then down to the slab, base molding, carpets, etc. Not good.

Signs of your home needing paint is the paint fading, chalking, (coming off on your hand when touching the stucco), cracks, etc.

I personally think it is pretty easy to paint the home yourself IF you do proper prep work, (always the secret of a good paint job). Of course, most folks will hire it out which is fine as long as they choose a GOOD painter AND a good quality paint.

Of course, I'm pretty much a do it yourself kind of guy...I designed and built my own house and delivered all three of my sons.

Nothing freshens up the look of an older house like a good coat of paint.

A good job should involve moving soil/mulch/stone away from the soil line, cleaning the stucco, caulking and/or repairing all cracks, rolling the paint on with a good thick napped roller, etc.etc...

Hope that helps!

Frank D.

Thank you. It has been over 5 years. I will look harder and start researching a good painter.