Stucco Pulling Away

[Tom]

I hope someone can give me some advice. My stucco under one of my window is pulling away. The crack is now about 1/8 wide and I can shine light through it. It reminds me of what some folks experience when they say their plaster is pulling away. But, this is exterior and I am mystified. See photo below. Way back before I bought the house, there was some moisture penetration above the window - at the roofline - but this portion of my wall is below the window - some 6=7 feet below the roof line. The crack goes from below the window to the ground. The stucco is bulging across a 2-3 foot section, from left to right.

Wondering if plaster washers might help? But, this stucco is mounted on metal lathe - like chicken wire - so there is not much structure behind the stucco. My house was built in 1927. I have had it 12 years now. First noticed the crack 4-5 years ago - have ben applying "more flex" - a caulk for brick and mortar type uses.

[khwils]

I would have someone come in and re-stucco it, it's a pretty small area so it wouldn't be much and it would then be done right. They'll just knock it out and skim it.

Kurt

[Tom]

Thanks Kurt. I would like to get to the cause. I guess the only way to determine the cause would be to open up that portion of the wall? I was not even sure who to call - called a plaster guy I used a few years ago. Perhaps he can help diagnose and fix the problem.

[Old_House_Jim]

I am having a similar problem but the stucco is just on the foundation and is/has come off in small patches. I too used some caulk to buy myself some time, but I really need to do something.

Tom, have you considered chipping off the damaged area and re-stuccoing the wall?

Mine is directly on the brick foundation so I know that it was caused by 70 years of moisture issues (we've been mitigating the water problems over the past 4 years.)

What would be used to patch something like this if you did it yourself ? Tom, I bet you could do this on your own, it doesnt look too overwhelming.

[Tom]

Thanks for the suggestions, Jim. Its a big part of the wall - 3 feet is pulling away - the additional cracks suggest maybe 12 feet totLooks like the best approach is to hire a general contractor, since the stucco repair is significant and the wood framing behind the wall is almost certainly beyond repair. They will probably have to sister new 2x4's and more. So for first time, I will probably be hiring a general contractor.

[Tom]

Meant to mention that you can buy pre-mixed stucco patch or mix your own. But, this will be more than I can comfortably handle myself.

[emersonmurdock]

You might have got the ordinary type of stucco, anyway, how long did that one installed? If that lasted for years, then that have been a good brand and type, but if the "pulling away" issue just done in a matter of months, then the quality is not that good. I suggest that ask for assistance from the store where you bought it, as they are in fact must have better ideas and solution for that. Next time, for your stucco and fiberglass mesh needs refer to a quality store like Sunline EIFS and Stucco Products store.