Stucco, a plaster used as a coating for wall surfaces, is a decorative and appealing form of construction. Regardless of the careful and cautious installation process, every now and then, it will crack. The main causes for stucco to crack are shrinkage and structural problems.

A shrinkage crack occurs when there is excess water within the surface that evaporates. This causes the texture to dry out the moisture.

A structural crack occurs with transferred stress. Water will not immediately appear but it is important to repair these cracks as soon as possible to prevent it from happening.

Transferred stress can be caused by:

• Foundation settlement

• Frame/ Structure movement

• Framing IssuesHeavy Rain/ Water Penetration

• Shear PanelingItem description

While all stucco cracks, when the sand has a smooth or fine finish the texture will make the cracks more noticeable. Heavier and rougher textures will make the cracks less apparent.

If you find a crack within 30 days of installation that is larger than the thickness of a penny, do not panic, they can be repaired in no time! However, if throughout time they reappear it could indicate there is a deeper problem within the structural movement of the building or ceiling. Now, if these cracks are smaller than the thickness of a penny, this is normal as they form a part of the sculptural appearance that is intended. Instead of filling these smaller cracks with material it is best to use a thin coat over it to repair, while still maintaining its beauty.