Not every stucco crack means the same thing, and treating a structural crack like a cosmetic one is one of the most common mistakes homeowners make before calling a contractor.
What Separates a Cosmetic Crack From a Structural One
Hairline cracks under about a sixteenth of an inch are usually surface level, caused by normal curing or minor temperature shifts. They can typically be sealed and patched without much concern. Wider cracks, especially ones that run diagonally from a window or door corner, are a different story. Those often point to movement in the structure underneath, not just the stucco itself. Learn more about Why Stucco Repairs Fail When the Wrong Mix Ratio Is Used
When Patching Is the Wrong Call
Patching a structural crack without addressing what is causing it just delays the problem and often hides it long enough for water to keep getting in behind the surface. If a crack keeps reappearing in the same spot after being patched, or if there are multiple cracks radiating from the same area, that is usually a sign the section needs to be opened up and properly assessed rather than patched again.
Even once you know a crack needs a real repair, the mix used to fix it matters just as much, which the companion page on this pair covers. For full details on our stucco repair process, visit our stucco repair page, or see past work on our Google Business Profile.