Stucco for poured foundations

[gahrajmahal]

Here in the rolling hills of southwest Ohio we have lots of ugly unfinished exposed poured foundations, mine included. One of the tasks on my "someday" list would be to finish my exposed foundation so it is more uniform and better looking. The builders of my home back in 1966 at least attempted to do something with it and either rolled or sprayed a uniform sand finish of about 1/4" thick. That thin veneer has cracked and chipped in areas but is generally adhered very well. The front of the house has a odd pink orange brick I wouldn't mind covering with the right treatment.

What I don't want is the thin stone veneers or other manufactured coverings. I think they would be too thick where the siding comes down and it would also draw your eye to the bottom of the house.

What does the esteemed members of The Garage Journal have for suggestions? If you know how to mix and apply stucco what product is best? Is there an additive to make that first coat adhere well? Photos of patterns and examples would be greatly appreciated. YouTube links or website tutorials would also be fantastic. If using mortar would you mix from raw materials? If so, what is the ratio of sand to cement etc. or is there a ready mix product that does a good job?

Finally, not to disrespect the professionals, (if I could find one) is this a job a reasonably skilled DIY person should attempt?

I will follow with some photos of the victim when I get on my laptop and if I follow your all's advice will document the carnage, I mean the fantastic results with subsequent posts.

Thanks!

 

[DougWil]

Clean well, power wash, Weld-Crete bonding agent, 2 coats of stucco over sound existing concrete or CMU.
Most stucco these days is fairly lightweight and very soft compared to the hard rock stucco of old.

There are lots of You Tube vids on it.
If you can do sheet rock taping and texturing you can probably do it too.

 

[usa#1]

Check with your local stucco coatings suppliers to see what systems they carry. I would suggest a synthetic coat system such as Parex, or other systems. You can get about any color you want and choose the texture that suits you. Once you figure what system is available, research their web site for the various products they have. The local supplier can also recommend products for your application.

 

[gahrajmahal]

There is such a thing as a stucco coatings supplier? We have very few homes covered in stucco here. The new builds all use veneer brick and stone facades with cheap vinyl siding covering the other three sides. The only stucco homes were built in the 20's and 30's

 

[Rowdie]

Worked as a hod tender for a bunch of plasters back in the 70's. Side jobs where abundant to plaster foundations. Nobody bothers with making a foundation look nice on new homes nowadays. Cleaned foundation (Chip, scrap so surface is even.), painted foundation with a cement glue ( depended on how old foundation was.). Thin coat of Sand and cement mix spread onto foundation ( sometimes a little dish soap in the mix to spread easier.) . Don't remember mix, should be the same as mortar. Rub out with a sponge trowel when just about dry.

 

[Cyberbear]

About 8 years ago I had a stucco contractor stucco a small cabin with a new product. Because it was so long ago I can't remember the name of this product, but I do remember it was a premixed color coat that doesn't crack or peel off, even after years of exposure to the weather. It is something a DIYer can apply easily with only a trowel or stiff brush. You may wish to contact stucco contractors in your area for more info, or do a Web search.

 

[mikegt4]

Cincinnati is the epicenter of freeze/thaw. Look at any road during the winter. The temperature crosses 32* almost every day for months at a time. As you stated stucco has rarely been used here since the 1930's because it is so hard to keep together in our winter climatic conditions. My parents had their house foundation stuccoed and it started to come off in chunks about 6 years later.

That being said, today's adhesion additives are much better and may provide a lasting finish. Or you could, as most people do, plant low bushes around the house.

I have bought some concrete related supplies from Janell in the past, they may be able to offer you some advice and/or supplies.
http://www.janell.com/

 

[usa#1]

There is such a thing as a stucco coatings supplier? We have very few homes covered in stucco here. The new builds all use veneer brick and stone facades with cheap vinyl siding covering the other three sides. The only stucco homes were built in the 20's and 30's

Look up "Master Wall Inc" and look at their stucco offerings. Call them and check to see if they have a local business that sells their products. I've used their products and I was very satisfied.

 

[Pardigital]

If you're able to get over to the KY side of the river, stop by the Party Source in Bellevue. The front part of the building is covered in something that looks like stucco, but it has a rubbery feel to it. I've often thought about checking into it for my exposed foundation. Check it out of you get a chance.

 

[Jack D]

I had some stucco work done a few years ago. In the attached picture I show the result. We enlarged the porch and used Hardie backer board for the sides and then I contracted a mason to do the stucco work and replace the top three feet of my fireplace/furnace chimney because the flue in the fireplace was flaking.

Bottom line was he was excited that I wanted to do stucco because that is what his dad showed him back in Albania when he was a kid. He told me it was all about the prep. I did not watch him do the work but there was a lot of chips that needed to be picked up and very messy. It solved my problem of the different textures between the poured foundation and the hardie board. I do remember that he used a material that he called California Stucco. I Googled it and it shows as available and there seems to be directions available on the website showing application on a wood wall. They did not use any mesh on mine. I think there was two coats and they were working real hard because the foundation was pulling the moisture out of the stucco real fast.

It rained here today so you will see some color differences where moisture has been absorbed by the finish. When it is dry it gets one smooth continuous color.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Hey all, some excellent recommendations! I especially appreciate the local folks because we do have some extreme temperature swings here. I will look up the resources provided and see what is available. Party Source eh? It is never that exciting around here at the old gahraj, but I could look into something like that. I sell real estate now and the older homes built in the 20's and 30's often have some nice stucco work on them. I find it mostly on the west side. jack D, I can only hope I sell enough houses so I can afford to put Hardi siding on my T-11 sided home. I really like the staggered shakes style you picked out. See, no fancy schmancy fake stone foundation to take your gaze away from that nice siding.

 

[csp]

Synthetics withstand the temperature swings much better than mortar based stucco.

Another brand to look for a local supplier is El Rey.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Wow, El Ray has loads of materials. Wonder if someone carries it in Cincy

http://www.elrey.com/products.pl