Proven Stucco Cleaning & Care Tips For a Long-Lasting Exterior

Stucco adds timeless elegance and durability to any home, but its porous surface requires regular care to keep it looking flawless. Whether you’re dealing with dirt, mold, or unsightly streaks, maintaining a clean and stain-free stucco exterior can be challenging. 

As experienced painting professionals, we’ve gathered our best tips to help you preserve your stucco’s pristine appearance for years to come. Follow along for expert advice on effectively cleaning and protecting your stucco from common issues, ensuring it stays fresh and beautiful.

Stucco application process with a trowel, performed by ACP Painting, LLC

Why Stucco Is Prone To Staining & How To Prevent It

Stucco is popular for exterior finishes thanks to its durability and classic appearance. Nonetheless, its porous nature makes it more susceptible to stains than other materials used for the same purpose. 

Stucco’s surface can easily absorb dirt, moisture, and other contaminants that can accelerate its discoloration and show unsightly stains over time.

Some environmental factors like humidity and pollution contribute to this damage by depositing particles on the stucco’s surface. Additionally, mildew and mold can appear in the tiny pores, especially in humid areas. Even simple things like pollen can accumulate, making the stucco appear dirty.

This is the first thing you need to know to maintain stucco in good condition. As you can see, regular cleaning and preventative measures are essential to minimize these issues, keeping your stucco looking fresh and clean for many years before calling your Maricopa professional painting contractors. 

Step-by-Step Guide To Cleaning Stucco Effectively

Step 1: Identify The Spots

A detailed search for all stains and spots is necessary if you want to remove every stain from your home’s stucco facade. This is especially true for homes that are quite tall. Dust, dirt, grime, and even water can become trapped inside stucco due to its porous and textured surface. 

Carefully inspect your stucco for water and other natural damage. Failure to do so may allow water or other elements to accumulate and damage the material. This causes stucco to deteriorate, crack, chip, and fall off. 

Step 2: Prepare The Surface

Now it’s time to prepare the surface by removing any loose dirt, dust, and debris from the stucco surface. Use a soft-bristle brush or a leaf blower and gently sweep anything that could interfere with your cleaning. If you find tougher spots during this process, lightly tap the surface with the brush to dislodge the dirt. This step is crucial to ensure that the cleaning solutions can penetrate more effectively.

Step 3: Choose The Right Cleaning Method (Pressure Washing vs. Manual Scrubbing).

The next step is choosing the right cleaning method for your stucco. Pressure washing is a great option to cover large areas quickly and it’s effective in removing dirt, grime, and light stains. 

However, the effectiveness of pressure washing primarily depends on the condition of the stucco. That’s why we insist on preparing the surface quite well before starting the cleaning process. You should also be cautious with the pressure to avoid more damage. Always start with a low setting and increase it gradually. 

.-For smaller areas, manual scrubbing is better. You can use this method with a soft-bristle brush, a hose, a cleaning solution, and a bucket. This method gives you more control over the cleaning and is gentler on the stucco’s surface. 

Just remember to ensure a uniform appearance on the stucco by patching any areas with apparent damage, just as you would with a pressure washer. Fill them up, if necessary. You’ll only have to wait around four days instead of the week that a pressure washer demands for hand cleaning. After four days, you’ll be ready to start.

Step 4: Apply Cleaning Solutions & Rinse Thoroughly.

After choosing your cleaning method, it’s time to apply the cleaning solution and start the deep cleaning. You can create your own solution by mixing mild detergent and water (it usually works well for general cleaning). However, if you prefer a more potent cleaner, you can use a vinegar solution, especially to tackle tougher stains like mold or mildew.

The first thing you should do is to water down the stucco with a hose to loosen some dirt and grime. Then, fill a bucket with the cleaning solution. Once you’re ready with the solution, start the deep cleaning, which can be done with pressure washing or manually with a scrub brush. 

After scrubbing or rinsing the stucco thoroughly, make sure to remove all the cleaning solutions to prevent residue buildup.

Step 5: Drying & Inspecting The Surface

Once you finish the cleaning, let the stucco dry fully before inspecting it. It can take a few hours or even a day depending on the weather, so be patient. 

Once the stucco is dried, look for any remaining stains, spots, or damage that might need further attention. Drying also allows you to spot potential issues, including cracks or signs of moisture retention that may need repair. 

Essential Preventative Measures To Keep Stucco Stain-Free

Keeping your stucco stain-free and in good condition requires more than regular cleaning; it also involves following these steps to protect the surface from more damage: 

  • Regular Maintenance: Create a routine cleaning schedule to prevent stains and dirt from settling in.
  • Use Sealer: One of the best ways to protect stucco is by applying a high-quality sealer, so feel free to use it to create a strong barrier for your stucco. 
  • Solve Small Issues On Time: Inspect your stucco regularly for any cracks or chips in areas where moisture could seep in. Patch up any of these cracks on time to maintain your stucco intact for more time. 
  • Control Moisture Exposure: Stucco is vulnerable to stains caused by moisture, so always make sure your gutters and downspouts are functioning properly to direct water away from the stucco.
  • Consider Professional Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance with professional painters or stucco specialists whenever necessary. They can help you with deep cleaning and also perform necessary repairs to keep your stucco looking its best.
  • Contact Arizona Professional Painters For Expert Stucco Care

If your stucco needs help, and you think all these tips aren’t enough, don’t worry! Arizona Professional Painters can help! Contact us at ACP Painting today to keep your house’s exterior looking amazing with a well-maintained stucco.

ACP Painting, LLC. 
20987 N John Wayne Pkwy
Maricopa, AZ 85139
Phone: 480-785-6323