Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Tips on Stucco Cracks?

Hi

Just added 600 sft to the house, 2x4 and 2x12s for the roof. Single story with slanted roof from the existing structure (18') down to the new wall 98'). The contractor has finished the brown coat couple of weeks ago. There are several craks developed above and belpw the windows corners and they extend couple feet (top of windows to roof line) and couple feet blow the windows to the bottom. I never had such craks on the remaining structure (built 14 years ago). Are cracks of this nature "normal"? what is the remedy ?

Thanks
Njarif

There should be control joints on at least one side of each window and door to control this type of (common) cracking.

Thanks for the response

Is it too late to add the control joints that now, the brown coat is done?

Can you describe to a layman what the control joint is and how is it installed?

Thanks
Njarif

The reason it cracked where it did is because that is the weakest point in the plane of the wall. As the stucco shrinks, it will usually crack there. To avoid the problem, a "W" shaped strip of metal is placed at those locations and anywhere else where you have 200 SqFt of contigous stucco in plane. It allows some movement of the surface without cracking. It is too late for that now, maybe, but you will have that problem forever at those locations, along with water infiltraion. Your best best is to finish it and paint it with an elastomeric coating (or use a synthetic final coat that is elastomeric).

Tscarborough

Thank you for the excellent information. I do have a follow up question regarding "... use a synthetic final coat that is elastomeric)." Is the elastomatic final coat cost is more or less the same as the normal cstucco color coat? I need this info so that I can make a determination if I should pay the contractor extra and how much relative to the standard final coat.


Another related item: I am in the process of replacing all winodws with new construction type windows. A ribbnon cut of 4" is being made around the old windows and they are removed then replaced with flashing and eventually with stucco. The stucco part has not begun yet. Are there any tips to prevent cracking between the old and the new stucco?

Thanks again

Njarif