# Question About Stucco touching ground **URL:** \ **Category:** Specific Inspection Topics\ **Created:** [October 10, 2019, 4:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968 "2019-10-10T16:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 12:31pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/22 "2019-10-11T12:31:21Z")
post #12 . ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/23 "2019-10-11T12:42:55Z")
![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/1/9/19e852b298b8cb074b790dd2668f13eebecbb36a.jpeg) That’s an almost daily site around here (Central Florida). ---
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 1:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/24 "2019-10-11T13:00:27Z")
even the expensive $1mm+ houses? how do homeowners/contractors deal with it? People with expensive homes tend to be very picky and that to them would be very unsightly, must remedy. ---
**Author:** ![jdeoliveira2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jdeoliveira2/32/57038_2.png) [@jdeoliveira2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jdeoliveira2)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/25 "2019-10-11T18:04:25Z")
In New Mexico it is rare to have a stucco house with the stucco/weep screed above grade. People get very upset when the stucco goes to just grade level, instead of inches below grade. ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 6:40pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/26 "2019-10-11T18:40:44Z")
> [@srechkin](#): > > how do homeowners/contractors deal with it? Chlorine bleach, power washing, and fresh paint… ---
**Author:** ![lkage](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/lkage/32/347658_2.png) [@lkage](https://forum.nachi.org/u/lkage)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/27 "2019-10-11T18:43:24Z")
> [@jdeoliveira2](#): > > People get very upset when the stucco goes to just grade level, instead of inches below grade. Wow! I had no idea. Of course I haven’t lived around stucco, either. ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/28 "2019-10-11T19:18:11Z")
Post #9 is a Million dollar home. ---
**Author:** ![srechkin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/srechkin/32/180448_2.png) [@srechkin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/srechkin)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:33pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/29 "2019-10-11T19:33:34Z")
> [@ddagostino](#): > > Chlorine bleach, power washing, and fresh paint… So it’s just a maintenance issue? ---
**Author:** ![jdeoliveira2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jdeoliveira2/32/57038_2.png) [@jdeoliveira2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jdeoliveira2)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/30 "2019-10-11T23:24:20Z")
The not so good stucco contractors only go to grade. The ‘good’ 🤡 ones go below grade ---
**Author:** ![ddagostino](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ddagostino/32/60136_2.png) [@ddagostino](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ddagostino)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 11:53pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/31 "2019-10-11T23:53:08Z")
> [@srechkin](#): > > So it’s just a maintenance issue? Yes, along with the usual CMU/stucco maintenance. (Not really stucco, in the sense that it’s only a top coat/texture. The builders refer to it as “Textured cementitious exterior wall finish”, likely to avoid following ASTM installation standards). ---
**Author:** ![jsagers](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jsagers/32/205610_2.png) [@jsagers](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jsagers)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/32 "2019-10-12T01:27:05Z")
This may sound silly, but is the screed visible If they take stucco to beyond grade? How do you see it? > [@sfetty](#): > > barrier. > ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/c/3/c301c208d23f4a9f0ab569cea28de2870305f07c.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![jdeoliveira2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jdeoliveira2/32/57038_2.png) [@jdeoliveira2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jdeoliveira2)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/33 "2019-10-12T02:00:36Z")
Occasionally I dig down to see what is what, I have yet to see a weep screed below grade. Newer homes may have it. ---
**Author:** ![ymartin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ymartin/32/197413_2.png) [@ymartin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ymartin)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 5:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/34 "2021-05-02T17:23:51Z")
![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/5/a/5a91f9b95ad9656b813487ce93c40f09fff7d27a.jpeg) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/3X/e/3/e34851cb5d4d734772c6d88b88132588d54e89dc.jpeg) This is the first time in my area (Tampa, Fl) that I see stucco with proper clearance from the ground. So just to clear things up for my information, when it’s stucco over CMU clearance is not required? And what about weep screed? ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/35 "2021-05-02T20:12:14Z")
Is the entire wall system CMU block with stucco applied? ---
**Author:** ![ymartin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ymartin/32/197413_2.png) [@ymartin](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ymartin)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/36 "2021-05-02T20:32:05Z")
Yes it is Brian ---
**Author:** ![bcawhern1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bcawhern1/32/408713_2.png) [@bcawhern1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bcawhern1)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2021, 9:55pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/37 "2021-05-02T21:55:01Z")
If the walls are CMU block or concrete, I do not think a weep screed is required because the plaster is adhered directly to concrete. There is no drain plane. [Chapter 7: Wall Covering, 2020 FBC - Residential, 7\th\ edition | UpCodes](https://up.codes/viewer/florida/fl-residential-code-2020/chapter/7/wall-covering#R703.7.2.1) ---
**Author:** ![ryoung7](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/ryoung7/32/188798_2.png) [@ryoung7](https://forum.nachi.org/u/ryoung7)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2021, 7:34am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/38 "2021-05-03T07:34:18Z")
At minimum, code requires 2 inches of clearance between the screed and a walking surface, and 4 inches of clearance above the ground. [KEEPING WATER OUT OF STUCCO WALLS](https://www.builderonline.com/products/exteriors/keeping-water-out-of-stucco-walls_o#:~:text=At%20minimum%2C%20code%20requires%202,of%20clearance%20above%20the%20ground.) Assume that the cladding will leak, but make sure the envelope is watertight ---
**Author:** ![sfetty](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/sfetty/32/331195_2.png) [@sfetty](https://forum.nachi.org/u/sfetty)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 12:48am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/39 "2024-11-03T00:48:04Z")
Blast from the past, issues like this still all over. ---
**Author:** ![bnesbitt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/bnesbitt/32/56701_2.png) [@bnesbitt](https://forum.nachi.org/u/bnesbitt)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/40 "2024-11-03T00:59:29Z")
Termites! The issue in my inspection area with stucco and ground contact is termites find their way up, and find the tar paper particularly yummy. The new wood is like cotton candy as well, and it’s common to see a patch where the new wood was eaten by termites, but the old growth wood is still OK. ---
**Author:** ![mgoldenberg](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mgoldenberg/32/89265_2.png) [@mgoldenberg](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mgoldenberg)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968/41 "2024-11-03T01:31:06Z")
> [@bnesbitt](#): > > and find the tar paper particularly yummy They will not consider tar paper for nutrition. [Previous page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.nachi.org/t/question-about-stucco-touching-ground/156968.md?page=3)