Sloppy stucco patches using durock

Hello Reggie,

I just found your website and writings... very illuminating! I am currently in the midst of a renovation of a stucco home that has stood for 35 yrs and the walls have held up beautifully with virtually no cracking or deterioration, despite lack of maintenance.

My question is, the contractor has removed stucco in some areas to install windows, and bump outs, etc. His plan is to reapply a 2 coat system over Durock screwed to the existing sheathing, but using only a bonding agent instead of a mesh. The original work was a 3 coat system with diamond mesh. I am very worried about this for a number of reasons. First, I am concerned about the adhesion of the 1st coat to the Durock. Second, the Durock is thick enough that, in a number of areas it is almost flush with the existing topcoat. The contractor claims that they will feather into the existing finish, but I am worried that they won't put down a thick enough layer of the first coat and it will be weak.Any input you might have would be most helpful. They plan to start applying the stucco quite soon.

This is horribly unacceptable work. The durock needs to be ripped out and metal lath put on. You are right, that is if mortar is too thin it is weak. I am shocked everyday that people do this kind of work.

Hi Reggie,

Thank you again for your time on the phone and for getting back to me. I've stated my position back to the architect who, in turn, has conveyed this to the builder. The builder is working on his rebuttal now... next Tuesday's construction meeting should be interesting. He is claiming that his 2-layer system which has additives and is factory mixed, etc., etc. is superior to the old 3-layer system. Suffice it to say that I'm not a believer... why fix what isn't broken? (except, of course, to reduce cost and labor for the builder.)I'll let you know the outcome.

You are getting hosed. If the meeting doesn't conclude this person isn't going to finish the stucco and will find experienced people, you should terminate their contract. If it was me, I would terminate their contract and give them a ride home on the end of my foot !