How to properly clean dirty stucco
Stucco is an exterior finish that is popular for homes in warmer climates, such as Arizona, Florida and Texas. What is it made from? The eco-friendly material is fabricated from concrete, stone, and limestone. It is well known to improve the look of raw building materials. Also, it acts as a reliable insulator.
Do you know that it is very porous? This leads to easy staining that makes it look unattractive. Unfortunately, the plaster absorbs water as you try to clean it.
It is also good to know that sandblasting can destroy the textured finish. Therefore, you should regularly clean it to keep it in good condition. If you clean it more often, you will maintain the stucco’s luster and condition. Here is a simple three-step process to clean dirty stucco.
1. Fit a jet nozzle
Where can you get a jet nozzle? They are available in hardware stores like Ace and big franchises like Lowe’s and Home Depot. All that you need to do is to set it to low so that there can be gentle water pressure. You should slowly wet the wall from the bottom part to the top, making sure to cover the entire surface. Also, stand far from the wall. In that case, you will be in a position to keep the pressure low at all times, eliminating potential damage to the stucco.
2. Mix household cleaner and water
TSP is a known household cleaner that can effectively be used to clean stucco without harming it. Mix TSP, bleach and warm water to create a cleaning solution.
3. Start cleaning
After making the solution, you should apply it to a soft bristle brush. Use the soft brush to scrub the entire surface of the stucco. Brush areas that are more badly stained. Make sure not to brush too hard as it may damage the stucco. Make sure to rinse residue and dirty solution from the brush regularly during cleaning.
4. Rinse
Once one section of the wall is cleaned with the brush, take your hose and blast away the leftover residue right away. If you permit the solution and dirty water remnants to settle in the stucco, they can make for even greater stains. Follow the same process as you finish each section. You may notice that a few spots need to be brushed again. Do so and rinse.
Regular cleaning can save your stucco from repairs and other necessary maintenance down the line. Cleaning once a year is preferable. If you need assistance in the Phoenix area, call on the stucco company in Gilbert, Arizona.
