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Stucco Installation – What You Need to Know
Stucco keeps temperatures warm in winter and cool in summer and it complements a wide variety of building styles. It is also extremely durable.
But stucco is not without its challenges. Moisture damage can lead to serious problems that affect the interior and exterior walls of a home. It is best to hire an experienced stucco professional. Contact Dryvit Stucco Installation now!
During the stucco process, there are many different materials that are used to create the final product. Some are natural, such as lime or sand, while others are man-made, such as cement and resins. These products are mixed together with water to form the stucco mix, which is then applied to the walls of your home. It’s important to use the right materials to ensure a beautiful, durable finish.
When it comes to new construction, it’s best to work on the back and sides of your home before starting on the front. This will give you a chance to perfect your technique before you begin on the walls that are most visible. Also, it will help prevent cracking and moisture problems in the future.
Before the stucco can be applied, the substrate must be cleaned thoroughly to remove any contaminants that may inhibit good bonding. This is usually not a problem with new walls, but can be an issue with older walls that have been painted or treated with sealers. It is also recommended to acid etch or sandblast the surface of the concrete or brick to roughen it up for a better bond.
Once the substrate has been cleaned, a scratch coat is applied to the wall. This is a mixture of sand and cement that is applied in lines over the lath. This layer must be allowed to cure before continuing with the rest of the process. It is recommended to mist the scratch coat periodically to keep it from drying too quickly.
Next, the brown coat is applied to the wall. This is another layer of cement, sand and sometimes mineral fibers. It must be allowed to harden for at least 36 hours. It is a good idea to mist the surface of the brown coat periodically to prevent it from drying too fast, as this can cause brittleness in the finished product.
The final coat, called the finish, is a mixture of one part cement materials and 1 1/2 to 3 parts sand. It may also contain pigment to add color. It is troweled and floated onto the surface of your wall and allowed to cure for at least 24 hours. It is also a good idea to mist the finish coat during curing, if it is hot outside.
Safety
Stucco contractors must take a number of safety measures during the stucco installation process. These include examining the property to determine any potential hazards such as landscaping and interior openings that could be damaged during the construction process. They also use protective gear such as eye and face masks to limit exposure to hazardous chemicals.
In addition, stucco contractors must adhere to local building regulations. For example, in some areas, building codes require weep screeds, which minimize water damage to the underlying structure. They should also follow local electrical and plumbing codes to prevent problems with these systems in the future.
It’s important for stucco contractors to inspect their work on a regular basis, especially during warm weather. This allows them to spot and repair any small problems before they become bigger issues, saving their customers money in the long run. In addition, a regular inspection of the stucco can help ensure that the energy efficiency benefits it offers are maximized.
Many contractors apply stucco over an open frame, which can result in a weaker and less structurally sound wall. To avoid this problem, contractors should install a layer of wire lath before applying the stucco. They should also make sure that the wall is properly ventilated to prevent moisture from accumulating.
Stucco work often involves handling dangerous materials, such as portland cement and silica. This can lead to serious injuries if the work is not done correctly. Therefore, contractors must provide their employees with personal protective equipment and training on safe handling procedures. In addition, they should prepare a written emergency plan for their sites.
It is also important to avoid the use of impermeable coatings on the stucco surface. These coatings inhibit the bond between the stucco and the substrate, causing premature deterioration. Additionally, they encourage moss growth and other biological activity that can cause local disaggregation.
Finally, stucco contractors should always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for application techniques and finishes. It is also critical to use high-quality materials and install them properly. This will not only reduce the risk of defects and failure, but it will also increase the durability and longevity of the finish.
Time
Stucco is a mixture material, and like concrete, it takes a long time to fully cure or dry. It can take up to 90 days for the stucco to finish drying, even though it may feel dry to the touch in a few days. The curing process can be influenced by weather conditions. Extreme heat and humidity can cause the stucco to dry too fast, leading to cracks.
It can also be affected by a lack of ventilation. In order to properly dry, the stucco needs adequate air circulation. Having windows open and using fans can help the stucco dry correctly. This can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete the project.
Stucco has a variety of benefits and is very durable. It is fire resistant, which can save homeowners money on insurance premiums. It is also a natural mold inhibitor, and it resists rot and termite infestations. It is also a great insulator, which can reduce energy bills. It is also highly versatile, and it can be painted or textured in any number of ways.
One disadvantage of stucco is that it can be expensive. However, it is worth the investment. It can add value to your home and increase its resale value. In addition, it can increase the curb appeal of your home and make it look more attractive. It can also protect your home from rain and snow.
When choosing a contractor for your stucco work, be sure to ask about the materials they use. It is important to choose a company that uses high-quality products. Also, choose a company that offers a warranty on their work. This will give you peace of mind that your contractor will stand behind their work.
A reputable contractor will include costs for the materials, labor and any other associated expenses in their quote. These might include costs for removing or modifying existing framing, surfacing and/or HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems. They will also include the cost of testing and/or remediation of hazardous materials (asbestos, lead, etc.). They will also include costs for equipment and material delivery, service provider travel to and from the jobsite, and labor setup and mobilization charges.
Money
Stucco is relatively low maintenance and durable, which can save homeowners money in the long run compared to other exteriors. However, it is still important to keep in mind that stucco can be a costly investment upfront if not done properly. This is why it’s crucial to get a professional with experience doing this type of work.
A reputable contractor will be able to give you an accurate estimate up front, so you’ll know what to expect before the project begins. They will also be able to address any potential issues that might arise during the process. This can help prevent problems that may be expensive to repair later on.
The cost of materials is another big factor that will impact the overall price of a stucco installation. You’ll need to budget for the base coat (around $31 a bag that covers up to 480-square-feet), scratch and brown coat layers, as well as the finish or top coat layer. Additionally, you’ll need to add in the cost of any other necessary supplies or equipment such as a ladder, scaffolding, etc.
Stucco contractors will inspect your home’s current siding to make sure there are no underlying problems that need to be addressed before the stucco is applied. They will also examine your landscaping and interior openings like windows to ensure they are protected during the application process, which could take a month or two depending on the size of your property.
When considering a stucco installation, it is always best to get a quote from multiple professionals in your area. This will allow you to compare prices and experience to find the best deal. In addition, a reputable contractor will be insured and guarantee their work, which can give homeowners peace of mind that the job will be completed properly.
When installed correctly, stucco can add value to your home and can help reduce energy costs. Its insulating properties can keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, which will result in lower utility bills. Additionally, stucco is naturally fire resistant, which can also save you on your homeowner’s insurance premiums.
The Benefits of Dock Lifts
Dock Lifts Charleston SC let you load or unload trucks from ground level when your facility has no dock, or the dock is too high or low. They also save on energy costs and prevent accidents.
They are more cost effective than traditional loading solutions like dock levelers and ramps, and they require no pit construction.
The dock area of a warehouse is one of the most hazardous areas in industrial settings. Accidents involving lift trucks, falling loads and pedestrians in these confined spaces are often very serious or fatal. Many of these accidents could be prevented through detailed hazard assessment, proper training and day-to-day enforcement of dock safety issues.
A Dock Lift provides a safer and more ergonomic way to load/unload trailers than traditional methods such as manhandling goods on the dock, skate conveyor or lowering them to ground level using a fork truck. Whether your facility uses one method or multiple, all of them require employees to be on foot and outside of the trailer or dock door, which puts those workers at risk for injury. Injuries sustained from these activities also tend to be costly in terms of lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims.
Other hazards in the dock area include uneven or misaligned trailer landing gear, which can tip over and injure employees or damage equipment inside a truck or trailer. Trailer creep is another concern, where a trailer moves away from the dock doors or opening and creates a gap that workers or equipment can fall through. This can be prevented with properly configured dock doors, a well-maintained trailer ramp, visual warnings or other traffic control measures.
Choosing the right size dock lift for your application is also critical for safety. The make, model and hull shape of watercrafts will determine the size lift that is needed to safely dock them. A dock lift must be engineered to accommodate the full dry weight of the watercraft, not a single pound less. A dock lift should also be rated to lift the maximum amount of weight transferred by workers on carts, forklifts and other transport equipment.
Dock lifts can be surface or pit mounted, with options for internal or external controls. They are more versatile than dock levelers and faster to use than loading and unloading from the floor, more economical than recessed truck wells and safer than ramps or inclines. They can be powered by an electric motor or pneumatically operated.
Convenience
When it comes to boat lifts, the key features are safety and reliability. However, many people don’t realize that dock lifts can also improve your waterfront property’s convenience by eliminating the need to step on and off your vessel. This can make it much easier to enter and exit your watercraft while allowing you to keep your dock clean.
Typically, dock lifts are set into a three-sided pit, recessed into the dock wall or mounted on the face of the dock. They can accommodate trucks from low step vans to high reefer semis. In addition, they offer superior versatility compared to truck tailgate lifts. Truck tailgate lifts only work with one vendor, reduce truck capacity by up to 3,000 pounds and can increase wear on the truck which increases operating costs that are passed on to customers. Truck tailgate lifts have small platforms that only have a single handrail and can be dangerous to maneuver on, which increases the risk of injury.
In contrast, loading dock lifts are designed to handle direct truck impacts and heavy daily use. They can be mounted in a pit or at the facility’s edge without the need for bollards or external equipment. In addition, their modular design makes them easy to install, maintain and upgrade.
Loading dock lifts can also increase the speed and efficiency of unloading and re-racking. Two men with pallet jacks can move goods from truck height to ground level using a dock lift in less than half of the time it would take them to do the same task with skate conveyor in an unstack and restack operation. This can save a company a considerable amount of money in labor and overhead costs.
In addition, loading dock lifts are safer and more convenient to operate than tailgate lifts. While tailgate lifts can be hazardous to use due to their limited range and their lack of safety features, dock lifts are much safer to operate and have safety features such as an upper travel limit switch and an emergency velocity fuse. In addition, they can be controlled via push buttons mounted on straight or coil cords that are easily located and secured when not in use.
Durability
The most common methods for moving goods between a truck and a dock are either manhandling them from one level to the other or unstacking pallets on the truck and rolling them down an incline to ground level. Both of these approaches require a great deal of lifting, twisting and turning which causes back, shoulder and hand injuries. With a dock lift, employees stand on a platform and the goods move from truck to dock height or dock to ground level automatically without any heavy lifting or twisting.
Durability is a big consideration when purchasing any type of equipment, especially when it’s used in hostile environments. Dock lifts are constructed of a steel-reinforced platform with wide legs to minimize deflection and galvanized base and leg construction to resist corrosion. This ensures the system will perform for years and withstand the harshest environmental conditions.
Additionally, dock lifts can operate from grade to a maximum of 59″ truck bed height which makes them more versatile than truck tailgate systems. They can be installed to service a wide range of trucks from vans and pickups to tractor trailers and container trucks.
Finally, dock lifts are a lot safer and more convenient than ramps or inclines. They make loading and unloading easier, quicker, safer and less expensive than using a truck tailgate.
To improve durability even more, most dock lifts are built with corrosion resistant materials like stainless steel and aluminum. They can also be equipped with features like air-discharged valves and double-wire braided Parker hydraulic hoses which reduce wear and abrasion in harsh environments. In addition, many systems can be fitted with safety features like an upper travel limit switch and overload fuse. These features add another layer of security for workers and help prevent expensive damages. Additionally, a drain located in the lift’s base helps to protect it from standing water which can lead to corrosion and damage the system.
Maintenance
For the same reason that a regular oil change on your car saves money, sticking to recommended maintenance schedules for dock equipment is an effective way to cut down on costly repairs. This can also help ensure your dock equipment performs at its optimal capacity and increases resale value.
Depending on the type of lift you choose, maintenance can be as easy as adding a limit switch to stop your boat at the proper dock height, greasing the gear plate and running the lift up and down (VERY carefully) several times each year, and making sure the power unit is protected with weather protection. For docks with recessed lifts, you can also order oil emersion heathers to prevent rust in cold winter outdoor temperatures.
If you’re choosing a hydraulic lift, it is important to inspect the system for signs of fluid leaks on a frequent basis. Addressing these issues early can prevent damage to the hydraulic design and ensure the lift operates smoothly. If you have a dock lift with a cantilever motion or hinged approach ramps, make sure to not use unapproved devices to open and close the doors. These unapproved devices can place unnecessary strain on the doors, leading to wear and tear and misalignment in the door opening.
You should also examine your pilings and dock structure for signs of damage on a consistent basis. A damaged piling or seawall can be compromised by the weight of a dock lift and result in significant structural failure over time. Finally, if you have a lift with galvanized steel top beams, look for any signs of corrosion. Galvanized steel rusts quickly, especially when exposed to saltwater. Addressing any rust spots on your top beams in the early stages can prevent corrosion from spreading and compromise the integrity of the lift. You should also regularly inspect the control panel for any signs of wear and tear or loose connections. If you’re unsure of what to look for, contact a professional. A trained technician can inspect the equipment and recommend any needed maintenance before damage occurs.