Stucco thickness

[wsmith3 (William Smith, HI1354)]

@rsole

Anyone have any idea if there is a code requirement or specification of how thick the “stucco” finish is supposed to be on a block wall. Keep in mind that none of the builders around here actually do stucco anymore. They put a coat of cement on the wall and then texture it. In fact most plans do not even say stucco any longer, they call it a cementitious finish.

That said, a customer pointed out that on his home under construction, after the “stucco” was applied, you can still see the mortar joints in the block. Is there a standard that would compel the builder to make the finished coat on the block wall thicker?

These photos are after the home was painted and you can still see the mortar joints.

**Yes, there is a minimum, it is a two coat system (for CMU) at 3/8" for the scratch and 1/8" for the finish on CMU. You are also correct that builders very seldom do it correctly, allow curing, etc. **

[Dan_Koehler]

We’re having big problems with stucco in our KB Homes community. Per our turnover study done by the association’s engineer, KB Homes did not apply the correct thickness of stucco. They also put OSB under the stucco, we have water intrusion issues around windows, doors, and balconies and now the OSB is bloating behind the stucco and the stucco is cracking. The local media has covered our neighborhood story since September. All of the news stories, photos, and videos can be seen at http://TheKBHome.com

[jhannon (Jeff Hannon)]

@badair

03/25/13 update
a keeper, imo

I finally had some time to go through this material and it is top notch. Thanks for sharing it Barry. I am sure I will be referring back to it often.

[mtyson (Mark S. Tyson, CGC1516843)]

@rsole

Anyone have any idea if there is a code requirement or specification of how thick the “stucco” finish is supposed to be on a block wall. Keep in mind that none of the builders around here actually do stucco anymore. They put a coat of cement on the wall and then texture it. In fact most plans do not even say stucco any longer, they call it a cementitious finish.

That said, a customer pointed out that on his home under construction, after the “stucco” was applied, you can still see the mortar joints in the block. Is there a standard that would compel the builder to make the finished coat on the block wall thicker?

These photos are after the home was painted and you can still see the mortar joints.

Reference:

Florida Building Code Residential Chapter 7
Table: 703.13
7/8 inch over wire lath
1/2 inch over masonry units
3/8 inch over precast or cast in place concrete

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

@mtyson

Reference:

Florida Building Code Residential Chapter 7
Table: 703.13
7/8 inch over wire lath
1/2 inch over masonry units
3/8 inch over precast or cast in place concrete

Thanks Mark

[jburkeson1 (Joseph Burkeson, CMI)]

@mtyson

Reference:

Florida Building Code Residential Chapter 7
Table: 703.13
7/8 inch over wire lath
1/2 inch over masonry units
3/8 inch over precast or cast in place concrete

Let me know when you find one, it’d be the first. :shock:

[mtyson (Mark S. Tyson, CGC1516843)]

@jburkeson1

Let me know when you find one, it’d be the first. :shock:

I here what your saying, but believe it or not there are some builders all be it very few and far between that do it right. I had the good fortune to work for one in my past life.

We slump tested all concrete pours and included cylinder break tests (psi) at 7, 14, and 28 days.
Random batch testing of stucco mix (third party testing lab)
Bore testing stucco to verify minimum thickness
PH test to assure stucco cured before painting

[mmeeker (Michael Meeker, CMI)]

Mark you might as well give them a plug. I am sure we all would appreciate knowing who is doing things right instead of just tossing mud at those who may not be doing things right.

[evandeven (Eric Van De Ven, CMI)]

@mtyson

I here what your saying, but believe it or not there are some builders all be it very few and far between that do it right. I had the good fortune to work for one in my past life.

We slump tested all concrete pours and included cylinder break tests (psi) at 7, 14, and 28 days.
Random batch testing of stucco mix (third party testing lab)
Bore testing stucco to verify minimum thickness
PH test to assure stucco cured before painting

So did I.
I would be willing to bet, that a majority of the work I did is still intact today, 30 years later…
1/2 inch…never heard of it!
A majority of the walls the stucco I was applying to were so “out” it would take at least a 1/2 an inch…for the scratch coat!

[mmeeker (Michael Meeker, CMI)]

Yep like I said in the past most of the time getting the wall straight suffices

[thession (Thomas Hession, NACHI10011411)]

Apples and oranges…Stucco or cementitious coating on block or concrete walls is more of a cosmetic choice.