How To Patch Small Holes in Stucco: At a Glance
The process for patching small holes in your stucco is simpler and cheaper than you may think. Repairing holes in your exterior stucco siding is important to ensure that the elements cannot seep below the surface of your stucco wall and damage the inside of your home. In this breakdown, we’ll be discussing the repair of small holes in stucco, similar to holes that you may find from a drill bit or a similar size, probably a maximum of ¾-inch in diameter.
At a glance, the process follows a few easy steps: cleaning the surface, sealing the hole properly, applying a finishing product atop the repaired hole and then applying a paint color to ensure the repaired hole matches aesthetically with the rest of your stucco siding.
Prep the Hole & Clean the Surface
The first step is very important, and it involves prepping and cleaning the hole for patching. You must clean the surface using a small wire brush, an automotive wire brush is ideal for cleaning the surface and cleaning in the small holes. Cleaning prior to patching will ensure that no dirt or debris gets stuck below the patch inside the hole you are repairing. You should also use the wire brush to clean the surface around the hole, as this will allow for better sticking of the patching materials to the area around the hole. You will want to prep the hole by using compressed air to blow out any dirt and debris from the interior of the hole. Using an air compressor or air chuck will work the best here, but compressed air from a can will also be a suitable option. During this step, it is important to wear eye protection. Debris and dirt may be expelled from the hole at a rapid speed, and it is important to protect your eyes and face from any flying debris that could cause injury or irritation.
Seal the Hole With Caulking
The second step in the repair process will be sealing the hole with a quality caulking. Typically a polyurethane caulking will be a good option to seal the hole, as it provides a high quality protection and durability to repairs. Caulking is the best way to ensure that you are closing up any holes that have broken the water barrier of your stucco siding, to ensure no leakage will occur in the future. Apply the caulking by inserting the tip of the tool into the hole and filling from the inside out. Apply enough caulking so the entire hole is filled, and once the hole is filled you can use your finger to smear the caulking in different directions, ensuring that the caulking has adhered to all sides of the hole. The caulking will need time to dry, usually anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, depending on the temperature.
Apply a Finish Product
After you have applied the caulking and let the caulking dry, you can apply a finishing product to the hole to make sure that it looks good. You can use premixed patch compounds, usually acrylic based, sanded caulking or stucco finish material, either acrylic or traditional based. You can apply a small amount of the finishing product to the surface of your hole with your finger, and spread the material atop the hole and around the hole to blend into the area around it. These small holes will not be very noticeable to anyone who doesn’t know they are there, so usually one small swipe or two is enough to cover the hole and ensure it blends well with the area around it.
Paint or Apply a Custom Color Matched Finish To Patch
Many homeowners will decide that a patched hole with the finishing product is a complete repair, but for some you can also add the additional step of painting to applying a custom color matched finish to the patch. This will allow for a closer color match to the wall around the hole, and allow for a more seamless repair. You can find a custom color match at your local hardware store by bringing in a sample of your stucco and they will provide a match. This can take around 2-4 weeks to complete, but typically the color match will provide you with the most seamless repair possible, and then your process is complete.
Problems With Repairing Stucco? Contact Titan Stucco Today
Although the process can be relatively seamless to repair small holes in your stucco, many homeowners do not have the time or tools to complete these repairs and ensure they are done properly. If you are having difficulty repairing any small holes or cracks in your stucco, the team at Titan Stucco can help. Contact us to learn more about our seamless repair options for both small and large holes and cracks today.
