STUCCO HOMES IN HOUSTON HAVE HAD A NASTY HISTORY OF FAILURE
While any exterior wall cladding can experience water intrusion, the failures that happen with stucco are usually far more expensive and extensive.
If you’re buying a newer stucco home or you already own one, there are a few ways to determine (or attempt to determine) if there is a moisture problem. At Fox Stucco Inspections Houston, our mission is to ensure that you know exactly what you’re dealing with. We’re breaking down the various stucco inspection types below. Explore the options, and contact us today with any questions you may have.
EXTERIOR PROBE TESTING
This involves drilling 1/4” holes in stucco at strategic locations and then inserting a moisture probe into the wall to measure the moisture content. This is an accurate and reliable method for determining if there are water problems. We’ve been doing this type of testing for nearly 10 years, and we can say with certainty that there is no better method.
INTERIOR PROBE TESTING
This is similar to exterior probe testing, however, this type of testing is much more limited because of interior finishes that cannot be damaged and stored personal items. The most critical areas to be tested cannot be accessed from the interior: holes don’t get drilled in tile, wood paneling, or similar decorative finishes.
CUT IT OPEN
Cutting right into the stucco and pulling it off will definitely tell you if you have a problem, but of course this is extremely expensive and unsightly. If there isn’t a problem, you’re left with a bunch of nasty cut marks at best.
VIDEO SCOPE/BORESCOPE INSPECTIONS
This involves sticking a small camera into wall cavities to examine the condition of the walls. Because exterior walls are insulated, this is extremely difficult to do and the results are nearly useless. This method also won’t detect elevated moisture levels, meaning that the wood may look good but still be saturated. We don’t recommend this.
SCAN WITH AN INFRARED CAMERA
This seemed like an attractive option when IR cameras first started becoming affordable, but thermal imaging has proven to be an inconclusive method for detecting water problems with stucco homes.
SCHEDULE YOUR STUCCO INSPECTION TODAY
At the end of the day, no matter the type of stucco inspection you need, you can trust the experts at Fox Stucco Inspections Houston to ensure you know exactly what is going on with your stucco. Serving communities in Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Galveston, Conrow, and all of Harris County — and backed by decades of experience and a passion for helping our clients — we always take the time to do the job the right way. Have a question for our team? Ready to get the help you need? Contact us today, and rest assured that you’re in good hands with Fox Stucco Inspections Houston.
