Written by Stucco Champions — Southern California’s Authority on Exterior Plastering.
Stucco Champions Warranty Guide: Coverage and Exclusions
When investing in stucco repairs or a complete restucco project, clarity is your best protection. At Stucco Champions, we operate with full transparency regarding our warranties. We do not hide behind fine print; we explain exactly what is covered based on the physics of the material and the scope of our work.
Our workmanship warranties typically range from 6 months (for patches) to 2 years (for full walls). This guide delineates the difference between a "System Failure" (our responsibility) and "Structural Movement" (the home's responsibility).
1. What Is Covered (Our Responsibility)
If the materials we applied fail due to application error or non-compliance with ASTM C926 standards, we fix it.
- Delamination (Adhesion Failure): If the new stucco separates from the underlying lath or masonry substrate, it indicates an improper bond. This is fully covered.
- Workmanship Defects: We guarantee consistency in application. This covers issues like uneven floating, voids in the finish coat, or failure to meet the agreed-upon texture profile.
- Excessive Curing Cracks: While minor cracking is inherent to cement, extensive cracking caused by rapid hydration loss (failure to mist the wall) or incorrect mix ratios is a workmanship defect we will address.
2. What Is Excluded (Structural Reality)
Stucco is a rigid "skin" applied over a wood frame that moves. We cannot warranty against the laws of physics.
If your foundation settles, or if the wood framing expands due to humidity, the stucco will crack. This is not a failure of the stucco; it is the stucco doing its job by relieving stress.
Excluded: Cracks wider than 1/8 inch caused by movement, diagonal stress fractures at windows, or recurring cracks in the exact same location after repair.
It is chemically impossible to perfectly match new stucco to old, oxidized stucco. UV exposure changes pigment over time.
Our Policy: We guarantee a texture match. We do not guarantee an invisible color match on patch jobs unless the entire wall is Fog Coated or painted.
3. Warranty Duration by Project Type
Why does the timeframe change?
| Project Scope | Warranty Period | Technical Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Patch / Repair | 6 Months - 1 Year | We are tying into old paper and wire we did not install. We stand by our patch, but cannot guarantee the integrity of the surrounding 50-year-old materials. |
| Full Restucco | Up to 2 Years | When we strip the wall and install new lath and paper from scratch, we control the entire system, allowing for extended coverage. |
4. Voiding the Warranty
Certain actions by the homeowner or other trades will void our coverage:
- Non-Breathable Paint: Painting over our work with cheap latex or elastomeric paint seals the pores. This traps moisture, causing the stucco to rot. (See our guide on Proper Painting).
- Water Damage: Leaks from roofing failures, plumbing pipes, or defective windows are not covered.
- Sprinkler Abuse: Constant water hitting the wall from irrigation heads will disintegrate the finish.
5. How to Submit a Claim
If you see a potential defect, the process is simple:
- Document: Take clear photos of the issue (close-up and wide shots).
- Contact: Email the photos and your address to our office.
- Inspection: We will perform a site visit to determine if the issue is workmanship (covered) or structural (excluded).
- Resolution: If covered, we schedule the repair at zero cost.
Conclusion: A Partnership in Quality
A warranty is our promise of quality execution. At Stucco Champions, we aim to get it right the first time by adhering to strict lathing and plastering codes. If a material defect slips through, we are here to make it right.
Last week, we shared Why Request a Detailed Stucco Quote? A clear scope of work prevents warranty disputes later.
Need stucco repair in Southern California? Stucco Champions proudly serves homeowners throughout Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Check out our Service Areas page to see all the cities we cover.