Good siding. It’s important. Because without it, water damage, mold, and drafty walls are practically inevitable—not to mention the associated costs.
Unfortunately, not all siding is created equal. Older vinyl or wood siding tends to crack, warp, and rot over time. This creates weak points in your home’s exterior that allow moisture to creep in and create the perfect habitat for mold and mildew growth.
Even siding types which tend to do well in our sometimes humid and icy region—which you’ll learn about here in a moment—can have problems when not properly installed.
The key, then, is to choose a siding that protects your home and is installed in a thoughtful and deliberate manner. Do that, and you’ll keep your home safe and dry for years to come. Here’s how.
A Durable Siding Choice in Southeastern Pennsylvania
For generations, stucco siding has been a go-to exterior finish across the globe—and for good reason. It’s durable, energy efficient, and gives your home a modern, mediterranean look.
Over the past 30 years or so, stucco has also become increasingly popular in our neck of the woods here in Pennsylvania. Here’s a quick look at why.
1. Stucco Siding is Long-Lasting and Durable
When properly installed, stucco siding can protect your home for 50 years or more. Because of the material’s unique makeup—a combination of cement, sand, lime, and water—stucco is naturally fire, pest, and rot resistant.
2. Stucco Prevents Moisture Retention
Unlike other siding materials that can trap water behind the walls, stucco is a porous mixture designed to breathe.
This unique material allows moisture to evaporate through the stucco walls rather than collecting inside them. (When installed with proper drainage and barrier systems—more on that below.)
3. A Lower Maintenance Siding Option
Unlike wood or vinyl, stucco siding doesn’t need much in the way of repainting or repairs. In fact, a pressure wash every few years (combined with the occasional inspection for cracks) is usually enough to keep your stucco siding looking great for decades.
4. A Timeless, Classic Look
Because of the unique makeup of stucco, it can be applied with a smooth or textured appearance, painted any color, and adapted to a wide range of architectural styles—be it Mediterranean, contemporary, or colonial.
A Word of Caution: Not All Stucco Jobs Are Created Equal
While stucco is an excellent choice for home siding here in southeastern PA, not all homeowners in our region have had the best experience.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, stucco was wildly popular. This popularity (combined with a housing boom) led to many botched jobs as builders wanted to move from one house to the next to maximize profits—cutting corners along the way and creating long-term problems for homeowners.
Without key components like weep screeds (ventilations at the bottom of stucco walls), proper flashing, and drainage planes, water builds up behind the walls. Failure to take these preventative measures in the PA housing boom has led to extensive water damages for many homeowners in our area—creating a need for widespread stucco remediation.
Stucco Remediation for Pennsylvania Homeowners
Stucco remediation is the process of completely removing old stucco, fixing underlying rot issues, and then reapplying a new stucco layer with proper flashing and protective techniques.
Stucco remediation—unlike stucco repair—addresses major structural issues and prevents future problems. It’s not a quick fix and it’s not a bandaid.
To know if stucco remediation is the right choice for your home, take a look for the following signs. Each is a symptom of one thing—water damages behind your stucco. And unfortunately, that’s a problem that only gets worse over time.
- Discoloration, staining, or streaking on stucco exterior
- Cracks or bulging areas in stucco siding
- Leaks or water spots on your interior walls
- Mold or musty smells indoors
- Soft or spongy walls around windows and doors
If you notice any of the above signs, get them checked out by a professional immediately. The fact is, nobody likes getting this kind of work done, but if you do need to invest in your home, here are a few things to know…
Smucker Exteriors Knows How Important Your Home Is
Your home’s stucco siding is one of the first lines of defense against severe water damage and repairs. If you notice signs of trouble, they need to be resolved ASAP.
If you’re in Lancaster, Berks, or Chester Country, give Smucker Exteriors a call. One of our specialized stucco technicians will come perform a complete inspection of your stucco system absolutely free. Then, you’ll receive a complimentary repair or remediation plan to help you make the best choice moving forward.
While the choice is entirely up to you, here’s what you can expect if you do choose If you decide to go with Smucker Exteriors, you can count on:
- A lifetime workmanship guarantee
- Top-tier products and manufacturer’s warranties
- Hand-picked crews committed to service and excellence
Because at Smucker Exteriors, our teams have been keeping Pennsylvania homeowners safe, dry, and energy efficient for over 20 years—and we’re ready to do the same for you with a lifetime workmanship warranty, hand-picked crews committed to service and excellence, and top-tier products and manufacturer’s warranties.
So don’t let water have its way with your home. Reach out today for your free inspection. (We can also take care of just about any exterior home renovation!)
Get your free inspection today.
