Stucco Waterproofing in West Los Angeles
Stucco waterproofing protects a stucco wall from rain getting in through its surface, cracks and openings. You need it when stucco walls crack, stay dark after rain, or leave stains inside around windows and at the base of walls. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting repairs cracks and failed flashing, then applies a coating or clear water repellent that helps the wall shed rain. Projects start at $2,275, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
Schedule a stucco waterproofing inspection or call (310) 678-4345.
Licensed California contractor (CSLB #998184) · IICRC-certified firm (#70018676) · 4.8 stars, 180+ reviews across Google, Yelp, and BBB
Quick links: What it involves Signs Process Cost FAQs
Stucco cracking or staying dark after rain? We repair it first, then seal the wall.
What Stucco Waterproofing Involves
Stucco isn’t waterproof. It’s a porous cement plaster, and the real water barrier is the building paper or house wrap behind it, plus metal flashing at windows, doors and roof lines. Exterior stucco waterproofing is one part of our waterproofing work, and it protects that whole system:
- Repairing cracks so rain can’t run straight to the barrier
- Fixing flashing and sealant joints at windows, doors and where roofs meet walls
- Keeping the weep screed at the bottom of the wall clear of soil and paving
- Treating the wall face with an elastomeric coating or a clear water repellent
Stucco covers homes and apartment buildings across the Westside, from 1920s Spanish-style houses to contemporary builds. Near the coast, marine-layer moisture and wind-driven rain keep walls damp longer.
Elastomeric Coatings
An elastomeric coating is a thick, flexible finish that stretches over hairline cracks and moves with the wall. It suits walls with a lot of fine cracking. The coating has to shed rain and still let the wall release moisture, so we match the product to the wall.
Clear Water Repellents
A clear water repellent soaks into the stucco and cuts down how much water it absorbs, with little change to its color. It’s the choice when you want to keep the stucco’s current look without painting it. It doesn’t bridge cracks, so cracks need repair first.
Signs You Need Stucco Waterproofing
The clearest signs are cracks around windows, doors and corners and dark patches that stay damp long after rain. Other signs:
- White deposits (efflorescence) on the wall
- Water stains or bubbling paint inside, under windows or at the base of walls
- Stucco that sounds hollow or bulges when you tap it
- Peeling or chalky exterior paint
Seeing these signs on your stucco? Book an inspection before water reaches the framing.
Our Stucco Waterproofing Process
We inspect the wall, find where water gets behind it, repair the damage, fix the openings and then apply the coating.
1. Inspection
The inspection covers the stucco, the openings, the flashing and the base of the wall, plus the inside of the same walls.
2. Finding Where Water Gets Behind the Stucco
Moisture readings and thermal imaging show where water sits behind the wall. That tells us whether the problem is a crack, an opening or the barrier itself.
3. Repair Before Sealing
Damaged stucco gets repaired before any waterproofing goes on, because a coating over it seals the problem in. Cracks, failed flashing and soft or bulging sections need stucco repair first.
4. Opening and Flashing Details
We fix flashing and replace failed sealant around windows, doors, vents and light fixtures, and we clear the weep screed.
5. Applying the Coating or Repellent
We apply the elastomeric coating or clear repellent chosen for the wall, then recheck the wall inside and out.
How Much Does Stucco Waterproofing Cost?
Stucco waterproofing costs $2,275 to $2,600 for a small project and $3,000 to $10,000 for a medium one, after an inspection that costs $375 to $775.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic Inspection (about 15 to 20 minutes, infrared camera) | $375 to $575 |
| Detailed Inspection (up to about 1 hour, one home or unit up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $575 to $775 |
| Water Intrusion Testing | $1,275 to $1,850+ |
| Complex Water Testing | $1,950 to $2,600+ |
| Small project (up to 3,000 sq. ft.) | $2,275 to $2,600 |
| Medium project (3,000 to 10,000 sq. ft.) | $3,000 to $10,000 |
| Large project (10,000 to 50,000 sq. ft.) | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Large waterproofing project | $50,000 to $150,000+ |
Walls that need stucco repair first cost more, and so do tall walls and walls with more windows to flash.
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. Your final price comes in a written estimate after the inspection.
Call (310) 678-4345 to schedule an inspection, or email photos of the cracks and stains to info@leakmoldrepair.com with your name, property address and a brief description.
Your Basic or Detailed Inspection fee is credited toward your stucco waterproofing work.
Why Choose Absolute for Stucco Waterproofing?
Owners hire us because we handle both the stucco repair and the waterproofing.
Repair First, Then Protect
Our specialty is finding and repairing leaks from exterior sources. We fix the cracks and flashing that let water in before any coating goes on, so the waterproofing isn’t hiding a leak.
Licensed, Certified and 30+ Years in Business
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, has more than 30 years of hands-on experience with water intrusion in Southern California homes.
One licensed team for stucco repair and stucco waterproofing in West LA and Culver City.
Stucco Waterproofing FAQs
Are you supposed to seal stucco?
You should seal stucco only after its cracks and flashing are repaired. A sealer or coating over a wall that’s already holding water traps it inside. On a sound wall, an elastomeric coating or clear repellent cuts how much rain the stucco absorbs.
What causes stucco to crack?
Movement causes most stucco cracks: the building settling, the stucco shrinking as it cures, wood framing swelling and drying, and earthquakes. Cracks also form at the corners of windows and doors, where stress concentrates. Hairline cracks are common, but any crack can let in water, especially near an opening.
What happens if water gets behind stucco?
Water behind stucco soaks the barrier and, over time, the sheathing and framing. That leads to rot, mold inside the wall and stains on interior walls. Because the stucco surface can look fine the whole time, the damage often spreads before anyone notices.
Still have questions? Our experts are here to help.
Book a Stucco Waterproofing Inspection
Schedule an inspection or call (310) 678-4345. We serve West Los Angeles, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood and Bel Air.
We repair the cracks and flashing first, then seal the wall so rain stays out.