Home repair involves the diagnosis and resolution of problems in a home, and is related to home Maintenance to avoid such problems. Many types of repairs are "Do it yourself" (DIY) projects, while others may be so complicated, time-consuming or risky as to suggest the assistance of a qualified handyman, property manager, contractor/builder, or other professionals. Repair is not necessarily the same as Home Improvement, although many improvements can result from repairs or maintenance. Often the costs of larger repairs will justify the alternative of investment in full-scale improvements. It may make just as much sense to upgrade a home system (with an improved one) as to repair it or incur ever-more-frequent and expensive maintenance for an inefficient, obsolete or dying system. For a DIY project, it is also useful to establish limits on how much time and money you're willing to invest before deciding a repair (or list of repairs) is overwhelming and discouraging, and less likely to ever be completed.

Substrate No amount of lath will make up for structural movement if stucco is applied over an unstable substrate. If there's any sign of green or wet lumber in the frame, you can be sure there will be problems with your stucco as the studs dry and the building moves. Ingredients Fresh cement, clean sand, and clean water are essential. If the Portland cement is old or has been exposed to moisture, it may be partially hydrated. If there are lumps or "rocks" in the sack, throw it away and get fresh cement. If the sand doesn't meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials, also called ASTM International) specs for plaster, don't use it. Dirty sand (sand with clay, silt, or excessive fines in it) will make it hard to predict the amount of water required for a workable mix and make quality control difficult. Dirty sand also greatly increases the likelihood of cracking for similar reasons. Excessive salts in the sand make stucco "bloom" or effloresce.     And if the water isn't clean enough to drink, don't use it to mix stucco. Papering & Flashing If there's one place extra diligence pays off, it's proper papering and flashing. Carelessness or poor skills are at the root of almost every moisture control problem I see in stucco--or any other siding for that matter. I frequently encounter failed stucco applications where the source of the problem is at windows, doors, utility penetrations, parapets, and corners--or anyplace where paper or flashing was improperly installed. The paper layer is typically made up of two layers of Type-D asphalt building paper or a weather-resistant barrier like synthetic housewrap for stucco. This, along with appropriate flashing, must be applied in a weatherboard fashion--just like shingles on a roof. If moisture does get behind the stucco--and it will--a barrier installed this way will channel that moisture back out of the building without the water contacting the sheathing or framing.