In January, the state of Pennsylvania saw record-breaking snowfall totals with Winter Storm Jonas. Philadelphia International Airport weathered nearly two feet of snow, while some parts of the Northeast saw much more. Numbers weren’t the only things being destroyed; Winter Storm Jonas also took a toll on our roads, bridges, and homes. If your exterior is made of stucco, snow and blizzard conditions can inflict a tremendous amount of damage. Here’s how that winter storm may have affected your stucco and roofing in Doylestown, PA.
- Make Cracks Worse
Thanks to its consistency, some minor cracking in stucco is normal. While a few splits here and there are nothing to worry about, cracking can become a major concern when temperatures drop and snow accumulates. Frigid temperatures cause stucco to contract, thus widening any existing gaps. The bigger those holes get, the more water can seep inside your home.
- Pass on Moisture to Framing
Once water finds its way into your framing, it can sit there for a long time before you notice a problem. Stucco typically needs to terminate roughly 4 inches above grade. When snow totals reach upwards of 12 inches, like those from Winter Storm Jonas, moisture can creep up and wreak structural damage on framing. Come springtime, that water will have nowhere to drain but behind the stucco and into your home. This also creates the perfect grounds for mold and rot.
- Leave Home Vulnerable
Even if you have siding in Malvern, PA, heavy snow can leave your home vulnerable to damage from the elements following a storm. Accumulations on tree branches can quickly snap limbs and send them plummeting toward your home. If you have stucco, you have an even higher risk of sustaining damage.
If you suspect your home’s exterior has been compromised by record snowfall, talk to your contractor about stucco remediation in Exton, PA.
