Services

Lath:

Lath begins with a metal weep screed all around the bottom of a building. Followed by a weather resistant barrier 60 Min double layer building paper, and 17ga. Stucco netting. The building paper creates a weather resistant barrier in case of any water infiltration through the stucco, allowing the water to run down the face of the building paper and exit through the bottom of the weep screed.

• Scratch Coat
• Brown Coat
• Finish Textured (Color Coat)

Stucco consist mainly of Portland cement, sand and water similar to concrete. This allows for a durable fire resistant exterior shell for your building. Each coat is allowed to cure before each application is applied. This allows stucco to cure and harden properly to apply the next coat. The advantages of a three-coat system are its strength and durability. With three-layer applications of; 3/8-inch thick scratch coat, 3/8-inch thick brown coat, and approximate 1/8-inch thick finish coat. The three-coat system gives your walls an appealing durable surface with the choice of a variety of different texture finishes that holds up better to wear and tear against the environment.

• Exterior finishes: Acrylic finish & Portland cement based stucco color coat
• Acrylic finish: One of the benefits of an acrylic stucco finish is the utilization of paint technology with the choice of a variety of aggregate sizes to achieve different texture finishes. Acrylic finish coats are more flexible and elastic when applied this tends to give the ability to hide hairline cracks depending on the type of finish. Acrylic finish also tends to repel surface moisture and keep its color when wet. Lastly acrylic materials are relatively low on maintenance.
• Cement finish color coat:Cement stucco color coat is a natural cement-based material that comes in a variety of aggregate combinations that allows design flexibility and multiple finish textures to choose from. Color is usually added to the mixture, although there is also the choice of applying the finish texture and painting over it. One of the variations with a cement based finish applications is that cement products absorb surface moisture and darken the color when wet. Lastly, Cement based finish textures are also low maintenance products that can give your home or commercial building a nice look.

Acrylic finish & Portland cement based stucco color coat.

One of the benefits of an acrylic stucco finish is the utilization of paint technology with the choice of a variety of aggregate sizes to achieve different texture finishes. Acrylic finish coats are more flexible and elastic when applied this tends to give the ability to hide hairline cracks depending on the type of finish. Acrylic finish also tends to repel surface moisture and keep its color when wet. Lastly acrylic materials are relatively low on maintenance.

Cement stucco color coat is a natural cement-based material that comes in a variety of aggregate combinations that allows design flexibility and multiple finish textures to choose from. Color is usually added to the mixture, although there is also the choice of applying the finish texture and painting over it. One of the variations with a cement based finish applications is that cement products absorb surface moisture and darken the color when wet. Lastly, Cement based finish textures are also low maintenance products that can give your home or commercial building a nice look.

Another variation of the traditional three coat system is the use of a one coat system. This system substitutes the scratch coat of stucco with a one-inch thick foam board (or other similar products). The requirements for the brown and finish texture and color applications are the same for both stucco systems with a 3/8-inch thick brown coat and 1/8 -inch finish color coat. The one coat system has the appearance and advantages of a traditional three coat system, but with an increased R-value increasing the energy efficiency of your structure. One coat systems provide similar benefits expected from a three-coat stucco system; energy efficiency, design flexibility, and fire resistance with a thinner depth of material.

Gastelum Lath and Plastering, also offers interior plastering services for your home or commercial projects. One of the benefits of interior plastering is that it provides a high end decorative look for your interior walls with a variety of finishes. Interior plastering also provides soundproof, and fire-resistant walls. The plaster coating consists of a 1/8-inch coat of plaster material over a gypsum (drywall surface).

Stucco cracks form within stucco wall systems that experience stronger forces that exceed the restraint capacity of the stucco systems. Cracks are stress-related energy that are released onto the wall system creating cracks. Some examples of stress related energy include; settlement, seismic movement, impact from shutting doors, windows, beating on the interior walls and shrinkage caused from drying.

It is natural to experience some cracking on stucco wall systems, small cracks that are up to 1/8″ are normal and/or within the stucco industry standards. These cracks are only cosmetic and not a result of a structural problem in the stucco system of your home and do not require any maintenance or repair. Small cracks will not accept material, and the resulting patch will detract from the natural beauty of the stucco and will serve no useful purpose. In many cases, an attempt to repair these cracks results in a patch that shows worse than the original crack.

Some textures have the tendency for hairline cracks to be more visible than others. For example, fine or smooth textures accentuate cracks where hairline cracks are more visible. Heavier textures like dash or sand float tend to hide hairline cracks. However, cracks can occur in any stucco system regardless of texture. If you experience cracks that are over 1/8 inch in width, you should contact your builder for proper resolution to be determined

Doors, Windows and other wall penetrations

Any area where stucco reaches a window, door, electrical box, or any other wall penetration you may acknowledge a small expansion gap. Gaps are normal and should be expected since dissimilar materials will expand and contract at different rates therefore causing slight separations. Such gaps can allow excessive amounts of water to get past the stucco and therefore should be caulked at the minimum on an annual basis. The best method to mitigate water intrusion is to obtain a quality tube of caulking (25 year) from local hardware store and caulk all gaps making sure caulking goes directly into the gaps. You can use your finger or a putty knife to ensure that the caulking is pushed into the gaps.

Window weep holes

Windows come equipped with weep holes at the bottom to allow any water that has entered the tracks to exit out. With the passing of time accumulation of dirt, or other items can clog the weep holes causing the water in the windowsill to leak over the windowsill track into the home. When you first move into your new home all window weep holes should be carefully inspected to ensure that they are in working condition. Sometimes during construction window weep holes can be filled with stucco, paint, or other construction debris. It is important to inspect window weep holes after construction and perform a cleaning procedure if necessary with a small sharp object to remove debris.

Stucco

Stucco should be cleaned and inspected annually. Any wall exposed to soil or mud splashes should be cleaned as soon as possible. Any wall left exposed to constant mud especially clay based runs the possibility of stains if not removed.  Stucco can be cleaned with water, a brush and mild detergent. Each year stucco surfaces should be inspected for any holes, significant cracks or separations. If stucco repairs are needed, it is important that such repairs be completed on a timely basis before damage can be incurred to your property.

• Arcus-stone
• Veneer stone applications
• Venezia plastering
• Plaster restorations: Re-color coat, or paint over stucco
• Stucco Over retaining walls
• Architectural foam applications
• Decorative- fire places & BBQ’s
• Repairs: Plaster repairs, patches, cracks, windows & doors
• Scaffolding