How to Clean Different Types of Stucco
There are two main types of stucco:
Traditional Stucco
is made from cement, lime, sand, and water. It is very durable and allows for a wide range of textures. Traditional stucco is installed with a lath or mesh base to prevent it from cracking.
- Available finishes: float/sand, dash, lace and skip, English, Santa Barbara, Cat face,
Synthetic Stucco
is made from sand and acrylic resin. It dries up quickly and is more resistant to water damage. Synthetic stucco can have different textures, but the variety is not as extensive as traditional stucco. On the other hand, it is more flexible than traditional stucco and thus, less prone to cracking.
- Available finishes: float/sand, dash, Cat face, smooth, worm,
Pressure Washing for Traditional Stucco
Pressure washing is one of the best ways to clean traditional stucco. Since it is made from cement, traditional stucco is durable enough to handle high-pressure water. Using a pressure washer with 1,500 to 2,000 PSI alone is effective enough to blast away dirt, dust, mold, mildew, and other unwanted substances. However, if there are stubborn stains, pre-soak the surface with a cleaning solution for 5 to 10 minutes.
When rinsing, you can use a 25-degree or 40-degree nozzle and stand 2 feet away from the surface. Have the nozzle perform a sweeping motion, from top to bottom then left to right. Use want attachments to reach elevated surfaces, as well as scrub brush attachments to remove stubborn stains and buildup. Switch to a fan spray or wider-angle nozzle for the final rinse.
Soft Washing for Synthetic Stucco
Synthetic stucco is a softer material and can be damaged by high-pressure water. Soft washing is a better alternative for cleaning this type of surface. This cleaning method uses a combination of chemical-based cleaning agents and low-pressure water to effectively remove dirt, dust, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from the stucco surface.
When cleaning synthetic stucco, first wet the surface area with water. This is to increase the efficacy of cleaning agents. Options include a bleach-based solution, which is good for targeting moderate buildup; a rust remover for removing stubborn rust stains; and TSP solution, a more potent, all-around-cleaning solution. Allow the solution to sit on the stucco surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, use a soft wash system to wash away all the contaminants and cleaning solutions. Keep PSI to 1,500 PSI or below.