Stucco Repair in West Los Angeles
Stucco repair fixes cracked, damaged and leaking stucco, along with the cause behind it. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting repairs stucco cracks, failed flashing around windows and doors, soft or bulging sections and the finish coat on homes and buildings in West Los Angeles, Culver City and nearby Westside communities.
Call (310) 678-4345 to schedule a stucco inspection.
Licensed California contractor, CSLB #998184 · IICRC-certified firm · 4.8 stars, 180+ reviews across Google, Yelp, and BBB
Quick links: What it covers Signs Our process Cost FAQs
Stucco cracked or leaking? We find why water got in and fix that first.
What Stucco Repair Covers
Stucco repair covers cracks, flashing, damaged sections and the water behind them, and it starts with finding out why the stucco failed. Cracked stucco is one of the main ways water gets into a building, which makes damaged stucco a water intrusion problem first and a cosmetic one second.
Crack Repair
Stucco crack repair seals cracks so they’re less likely to reopen with the next storm or small earthquake. Shrinkage, movement and water-damage cracks each need a different repair, so we sort them before anything gets filled.
Flashing Repair Around Windows and Doors
Stucco flashing repair fixes the flashing, sealant and stucco around windows and doors, where many stucco leaks start. We repair the wall around the opening so water stays out of the framing beside it.
Damaged Section Repair
Damaged section repair replaces stucco that has gone soft, bulged or pulled away from the wall, along with the barrier, metal lath and any wet sheathing behind it. Patching works when the damage is limited and the barrier behind it is still sound. When water has been getting in for a long time, that section has to come off so we can repair what’s behind it, and new stucco goes on in scratch, brown and finish coats.
Stucco Leak Detection
Stucco leak detection finds where water gets behind the wall when there’s a stain inside but no obvious crack outside. Our stucco leak detection service uses thermal imaging, moisture readings and water testing to find the entry point without tearing the wall open.
Stucco Repair or Stucco Waterproofing?
Stucco repair fixes a wall that has failed; stucco waterproofing protects a wall that’s sound. Many walls need both, in that order. Once the stucco is repaired, stucco waterproofing adds a coating or clear water repellent that helps the wall shed rain and protects the repair.
Condos, Apartments and Commercial Buildings
We repair stucco on condos, apartment buildings and commercial property, and we trace leaks across units to the wall that’s failing. When a leak’s cause is disputed, our forensic leak detection and ASTM E1105 water testing reports are used by insurance adjusters, public adjusters and attorneys. The commercial leak detection and water intrusion page covers that work.
Signs Your Stucco Needs Repair
Stucco needs repair when it cracks, bulges, sounds hollow or lets water through, and the most urgent sign is a stain inside the house after rain. Look for:
- Cracks that grow longer or wider, especially at window and door corners
- Stucco that bulges, sounds hollow or feels soft when pressed
- Stains, bubbling paint or damp baseboards inside after rain
- Dark patches outside that stay damp after the rest of the wall dries
- Gaps or cracked sealant where stucco meets windows, doors, trim or the roof
Until we inspect, photograph new cracks and stains with a coin or ruler for scale, and note when the stains appear: during rain, after rain or only in wind-driven storms. Don’t fill cracks with household caulk, which rarely holds on stucco and can trap water behind it, and don’t pressure wash the wall, because the spray can force water through.
Cracks, stains or a hollow wall? Book a stucco inspection before it spreads.
Our Stucco Repair Process
Our stucco repair process has six steps: inspect, trace the moisture, document, repair the cause, restore the stucco and confirm the wall is dry.
We inspect the stucco and every place it meets another material: windows, doors, roofs, balconies and the foundation.
Moisture meters and thermal imaging show where water sits behind the wall. When readings alone can’t confirm the entry point, controlled water testing does.
We record what we find with photos, moisture readings and written findings, and you get a written scope before any work starts.
We fix what let the water in: flashing, sealant joints, the barrier behind the stucco and any wet sheathing.
New stucco goes on in coats, matched to the existing texture as closely as the wall allows, then gets paint or a waterproof coating.
A final moisture check confirms the repaired area is dry.
How long stucco repair takes depends on how much wall is damaged and whether the barrier and sheathing behind it need repair. Each coat of stucco also needs time to cure before the next one goes on.
How Much Does Stucco Repair Cost?
Stucco repair starts with a $375 to $775 inspection, and repair projects run $2,275 to $2,600 for a small project up to 3,000 sq. ft., $3,000 to $10,000 for a medium project and $10,000 to $50,000 for a large one.
| Service | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Inspection | $375 to $575 | About 15 to 20 minutes with an infrared camera; price depends on size and time |
| Detailed Inspection | $575 to $775 | Up to about 1 hour for one home or unit up to 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Multi-Unit / Larger Property Inspection | $975 to $1,500 | Up to 5 units or properties, 3,500 to 10,000 sq. ft. |
| Water Intrusion Testing | $1,275 to $1,850+ | Integrated water testing performed with our crew, when needed |
| Complex Water Testing | $1,950 to $2,600+ | More extensive testing, depending on conditions |
| Small repair project | $2,275 to $2,600 | Up to 3,000 sq. ft. |
| Medium repair project | $3,000 to $10,000 | 3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. |
| Large repair project | $10,000 to $50,000 | 10,000 to 50,000 sq. ft. |
Stucco repair is priced by project size, like our other weatherproofing repair work. Where your project falls depends on how much stucco, barrier and sheathing is damaged, whether water testing is needed and how easy the wall is to reach. Your written scope lists exactly what the repair includes.
Water testing isn’t included in inspection prices. When we do the work, the fee for a Basic or Detailed Inspection is credited toward the cost of the work. Multi-Unit / Larger Property Inspection fees and water testing fees are not credited.
Call (310) 678-4345 to schedule a stucco inspection.
Your inspection fee counts toward the stucco repair when you hire us.
Why Choose Absolute for Stucco Repair
Absolute finds out why the stucco failed before patching it, because exterior leaks are our specialty.
We Fix the Cause, Not Just the Crack
We trace the water first and repair the flashing, barrier or sheathing that failed before we restore the stucco. A patch over a crack that’s still letting water in will crack again.
Your Inspection Fee Goes Toward the Work
When we do the work, your Basic or Detailed Inspection fee is credited toward its cost. You don’t pay twice to learn what’s wrong.
Licensed, Certified and Experienced
We’re a licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184), an IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) and a MICRO Certified Firm, with more than 30 years in business. Our founder, Cameron Figgins, specializes in identifying complex water intrusion issues in Southern California homes. On the San Francisco State University Dormitory Restoration (2004), he led leak detection, specification development and quality control for a waterproofing system covering 1,125,000 sq. ft. following major mold remediation, and managed daily oversight of the $1.2 million weatherproofing installation.
Where We Repair Stucco
We repair stucco in West Los Angeles, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Bel Air. Near the coast in Santa Monica, Venice and Pacific Palisades, marine-layer moisture and wind-driven rain keep stucco damp for longer. Many older Spanish-style homes on the Westside still have their original stucco. See all the areas we serve.
Licensed stucco repair in West LA and Culver City, from leak trace to finish coat.
Stucco Repair FAQs
Are hairline cracks in stucco a problem?
Not always. Fine hairline cracks from shrinkage are common in stucco and are often cosmetic. Keep an eye on them, though. A crack that grows, runs from the corner of a window or door, or lines up with a stain inside after rain can let water through and is worth an inspection.
Why does stucco crack so often in Los Angeles?
Movement is the main reason. Small earthquakes, settling, clay soils and wood framing that swells and dries with the seasons all flex the wall. Long dry spells followed by heavy rain add stress too. Our article on stucco problems unique to Los Angeles construction explains the local factors in more depth.
Why does caulk keep failing on my stucco?
Sealants usually fail on stucco because the joint moves, the surface wasn’t prepared or the product wasn’t made for a rough, porous surface. Strong sun breaks many sealants down too. Our guide on why stucco sealants keep failing on Los Angeles homes covers the common causes in more detail.
Can you match my stucco's texture and color?
We match the texture as closely as the wall allows. Color is harder. Older stucco fades and weathers, so a patch mixed to the original color can still stand out. Painting or coating the full wall section usually gives the most even result. We’ll go through the options with you before work starts.
Book a Stucco Inspection
Call (310) 678-4345 or schedule an inspection online. You can also email photos of the crack or stain to info@leakmoldrepair.com with your name, property address and a short description of the problem. We’ll find out why the stucco failed and fix that first.