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> Cleaning Stucco
Q: Can stucco, portland cement plaster, be cleaned, and if so, what
methods should be used?
A:Whether you have some type of atmospheric
contamination, biological growth, or staining from another construction
process, stucco can be cleaned effectively. Because it is important
to choose an appropriate cleaning method based on what actually
created the stain, there is no single best process for cleaning
stucco surfaces. To clean a dirt-contaminated surface, the following
advice is useful.
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| Stucco can be cleaned with a garden
hose. (IMG15707) |
Like concrete and masonry, stucco is porous. Cleaning methods are
similar. It is recommended to wet the substrate starting from the
bottom and working towards the top. Prewetting the surface helps
the wall shed water, preventing dirty water from being drawn into
dry pores. It also begins to loosen soil so that it can be rinsed
away. A garden hose may be effective. Special fan-type sprayers
are available for increased cleaning power. Whenever using water
on a cement-based material like stucco, the substrate should have
set and hardened. Water under pressure can etch the surface and
at higher pressures can even cut through hardened stucco. To prevent
this, the water spray should be moved over the surface uniformly.
Most dirt is removed fairly easily. Cleaning power is increased
by doing one or more of the following: increasing water temperature,
scrubbing with a brush, or using some type of chemical detergent.
To clean stains other than simple soiled surfaces refer to the
reference documents for additional recommendations. You always should
test the method on an inconspicuous area to first demonstrate its
effectiveness and to assure that it won’t damage the plaster.
For more information, see:
Repair of Portland
Cement Plaster (Stucco) (IS526)
Removing Stains
and Cleaning Concrete Surfaces (IS214)
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