Cracks in squares

Ask the pros-March, 2004
By Reggie Bullard

 

Cracks in squares

My friend in Los Angeles had stucco put on her home a month ago and now, when she stand back and look at the whole house, it
is cracked in big uneven squares. The contractor says he does not see the pattern, although he does admit there are cracks. What
would cause the cracks to be in a pattern??

This is caused by excessive shrinkage in the finish coat, for example too much lime in the finish coat.
How do I know?
We were called to resurface a stucco installation that had the same grid of cracks about 2 or 3 feet apart. It was obvious there was too much lime in the finish.
Excessive shrinkage can also be caused by too fine a sand, or working
in the sun in hot weather.
We recoated the cracked walls and there isn't a single crack today.

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