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About Bill Rodgers
Expertise
I have years of experience dealing with water infiltration issues associated with windows and doors. I have been a certified EIFS installer and am familiar with all types of stucco and masonry veneers.
I can help you select the best windows and doors for any residence or multifamily building.
Experience
I've been a building contractor since 1977. Prior to that time I was the building official for Frederick County Virginia. I'm currently licensed in six states including: Oregon, Arizona, California, Hawaii, New Jersey and Florida. My primary business is solving and correcting water infiltration problems in residential structures.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland, 1972. I am an accredited instructor for the Installation Masters Institute. I regularly teach window and door installers how to be Certified Master Installers of windows and doors. The Installation Masters Institute is currently licensed to and administered by Architectural Testing Inc. for the American Architectural Manufacturer's Association.
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You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Home Improvement--General > Caulking Preparation for Acrylic Stucco Finish
Expert: Bill Rodgers - 10/19/2009
Question
Hi Bill,
We just got a 1922 pueblo bungalow, and are preparing the old stucco for an acrylic parex finish (as suggested by contractor). We're doing as much prep DIY as we can. We've had a few areas of stucco repaired where there was intrusion or obvious problems, but there are definitely some other cracks, we're hoping the acrylic will cover. So questions 1 - acrylic sound like a good choice? why not elastomeric? and disavantages?
Question # 2 is how to caulk around the windows? The windows don't really have extruding trim. The stucco buts against the frame, no caulk. In some places that edge is crumbled and there is a gap to caulk, in others, its quite tight. I read that a 3/8 gap should be ground out around the windows (all the way through?) and it be stuffed with backer rod and caulked to allow for expansion... but it sure seems counter-intuitive to open a gap that may allow intrusion where there currently (probably) isn't any.
Answer
Hi Steven,
I'm not sure that acrylic means anything more than water based. I've applied elastomeric paint to several older stucco jobs with good result. Please keep in mind that applying a water resistant barrier to the outside of the stucco is tantamount to admitting that the weather barrier that is beneath the stucco has failed. By that I mean that while the paint, any paint, will help it's only a band-aid at best. You can expect to need to reapply coats every 3 to 5 years to keep the water out.
Regarding your window margins: The process you're referring to is called a "Gauge and Caulk". If properly done the resulting sealant joint will allow the disparate materials to move independently and still not admit water. I hear you about the seemingly tight joints that you presently have. The difference being that your tight joints are really just smaller cracks that will readily admit water during wind driven rains. The only way to seal them up is to open up a joint that is wide enough so that when things move the sealant is capable of stretching and compressing without tearing or loosing adhesion.
I hope this helps.
Bill Rodgers
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