You probably loved the look of your stucco siding after your contractor first installed it. However, after several years, you may begin to notice telltale signs of stucco deterioration, like water damage, mold growth, and humidity in your home.
If you’ve noticed your home’s exterior is deteriorating, you might be planning to use your homeowner’s insurance to cover the cost of repairs with a stucco remediation contractor. But unfortunately, not all stucco repairs are covered by insurance.
Before you place an insurance claim for your stucco remediation, here are some possible problems you might run into with insurance that you should be aware of—and what to do instead!
What Is Stucco?
Stucco is an affordable, attractive exterior siding option popularized in the United States in the 1920s. It’s made from limestone, cement, and silica and is applied to homes as a thin, decorative coating. Stucco is common in warm, dry climates like Arizona, California, and Nevada because it provides excellent insulation against hot and cold weather.
However, even in desert climates, incorrectly installed stucco can pose problems for homeowners. Since stucco is a porous material, it’s prone to water damage from soaking up excess moisture.
Unfortunately, homeowners who live in humid climates with significant rain and snowfall, like Chester County, are more prone to experiencing the expensive repercussions of water damage to the improperly installed stucco siding.
Signs of Stucco Damage
You might be wondering if your stucco is the culprit of water damage. Fortunately, stucco deterioration is relatively easy to spot. Here’s what to look for:
- Water damage around your windows, doors, and roof
- Insect and pest infestations from the cracks in your porous walls
- Mold and mildew growth from excess moisture can create health concerns
- Visible bubbles, blisters, and gaps in your siding
- Elevated humidity levels in your home
If your home is experiencing one or more of these effects of stucco damage, you’re likely considering siding repair or a brand-new siding replacement.
But first, you might be wondering—how much will my home insurance cover?
Is Stucco Damage Covered by Homeowner’s Insurance?
You might assume that your insurance company will completely take care of your stucco repair bills, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Multiple factors affect whether you can use your homeowner’s insurance to cover your stucco damage. Here are a few:
The Type of Stucco
The type of stucco on your home’s exterior affects whether or not your insurance will cover your repairs.
For example, Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) is a popular type of synthetic stucco, but it can only be installed by a licensed and certified professional. If an uncertified contractor installed your EIFS stucco system, it’s likely your insurance would not cover the cost of the damage.
The Siding Contractor
Did you choose a reputable contractor to install your siding? If not, this will have a significant impact on whether insurance will foot the bill for your repairs.
Suppose a certified, licensed contractor who’s been trained in best installation practices and approved by the stucco distributor installed your EIFS stucco. In that case, you’ll have a greater likelihood of receiving compensation. However, if an uncertified contractor installed your siding, you cannot make a claim.
Water Damage vs. Storm Damage
Another factor that contributes to insurance coverage is the type of damage your home is facing.
Insurance typically will not cover water-related repairs since this type of damage only occurs when a contractor installed the siding without proper training and experience.
However, if your stucco siding is facing damage from fire, wind, hail, or other forms of destruction, insurance will cover your repairs.
Alternate Financing Options
If your stucco siding repairs aren’t covered by insurance, don’t worry. There are other financing options available to help you pay for your siding project.
Cash-Out Refinance
Take equity out of your home and refinance your mortgage to pay for your stucco repair or siding replacement. You can extend the term out for 30 years to have the lowest payment possible for your new mortgage.
Short-Term Private Quick Cash
If you don’t qualify for a traditional mortgage loan and need money to start your repairs as soon as possible, consider working with private lenders to get the assistance you need. Ask your remodeling contractor if they have any connections you can utilize.
Home Equity Line of Credit
Use the equity in your house as collateral for repairs. A home equity line of credit offers homeowners low-interest rates, tax advantages, and no extra fees. You can choose from an interest-only or principal and interest option.
Replace Your Problematic Stucco Siding with Reliable James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
Even though stucco repair may temporarily fix the look of your home’s exterior, it doesn’t eliminate the possibility of costly, dangerous structural damage to your house in the future.
That’s why we recommend saying goodbye to your stucco problems once and for all with a durable, long-lasting siding installation using James Hardie® fiber cement siding.
Hardie siding eliminates every common problem caused by stucco siding—it stands up to snowy, humid weather, it’s pest-resistant, and it lasts for decades with proper installation and low-maintenance upkeep.
Hardie siding is reliable, but it’s also available in dozens of looks, colors, and styles, so you can choose the perfect look for your Chester County home.
Restore Your Home from Stucco Damage with Distinctive Homes
Looking for a reliable contractor to help you through the stucco remediation process?
We can help. Our team of experts protects your investment with stucco removal and reliable, long-lasting fiber cement siding replacement. As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, we’ll install your siding correctly so you can enjoy the value and benefits of your James Hardie warranty.
And don’t worry—if your insurance claim is denied, we offer in-house financing solutions to keep your project in-budget so that you can rid your home of moisture damage forever!
Learn how thorough, reliable stucco remediation with Distinctive Homes can transform your Chester County home!