Cracks Through the Ceiling
Cracks along joints and at the wall line come from seasonal movement and truss uplift. Filling the crack alone brings it back, so we reinforce the joint underneath first.
Stucco repair in Kingston, ON
Stucco Ceiling and Exterior Stucco Repair in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston Drywall Pros repairs stucco ceilings inside the home and patches cracked or broken stucco on exterior walls. We work for homeowners and property managers in Kingston and the surrounding towns.
The word stucco means two different things around here. Indoors it is the sprayed texture on many Ontario ceilings; outdoors it is a cement-based cladding that takes a beating from Kingston's freeze-thaw winters.
Both repairs come down to the same skill: matching an aged surface so the patch disappears. Pre-1990 stucco ceilings are tested for asbestos before we disturb them.
- 20+ years
- 2,500+ jobs
- Licensed, insured, WSIB
20+ years of drywall
in Eastern Ontario
in Eastern Ontario
Service overview
Our Stucco Repair Services
Stucco repair is patching damaged stucco and re-creating its texture so the repair blends with the existing surface. We repair interior stucco ceilings and crack and patch damage on exterior stucco walls.
It suits homeowners who want to keep their stucco ceilings, owners of stucco-clad homes with cracked or broken sections, and landlords repairing between tenants. Our stucco work covers:
- Interior stucco (stipple or popcorn) ceiling patches, cracks and stain repairs
- Patching around fixtures, fans and new pot lights
- Exterior stucco crack repair and rebuilt sections
- Damaged corners and wall bases rebuilt over new wire lath
- Texture and sheen matching on a test panel first
Full exterior re-cladding and EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) are specialist work that we refer out.
Interior damage
Stucco Ceiling Damage We Repair
Interior stucco ceilings fail in six predictable ways, and each needs the base fixed before the texture.
Water Stains and Fallen Stucco
Stucco lets go when the board behind it gets wet. We cut back to dry board rather than spraying over damp material, then seal the stain.
Fixture and Fan Holes
Openings from moved fixtures or removed ceiling fans are backed, patched flush and textured to blend with the ceiling.
Previous Scraping Damage
Half-finished DIY scraping or a trade who scuffed the ceiling leaves bald patches. We rebuild the surface and blend fresh stucco across it.
Around New Pot Lights
New recessed lights leave torn texture around each opening. Old openings that need closing are covered by pot light hole repair.
Sagging Stucco on Plaster
Stucco on old plaster can hide loose plaster underneath. We secure the ceiling with plaster washers before any cosmetic work, because texture adds weight.
Free written quotes with the finish level spelled out.
Exterior stucco
Exterior Stucco Crack and Patch Repairs
Exterior stucco cracks when water gets into a hairline crack, freezes and widens it. Kingston sees dozens of freeze-thaw cycles each winter, so small cracks become broken sections within a few seasons.
Cracks Around Windows and Corners
Stress concentrates at window corners. We open and fill cracks so water cannot track into the wall behind.
Broken Corners and Exposed Lath
Damaged sections are cut back, the wire lath repaired or replaced, and the patch rebuilt coat by coat.
Chipped Stucco at the Wall Base
Snow shovels, splashback and road salt wear down the bottom of the wall. We rebuild the base and blend it into the existing finish.
Exterior stucco work is booked between spring and fall, when temperatures stay high enough for the material to cure properly.
Exterior process
How Exterior Stucco Is Rebuilt
Traditional cement stucco is built in three coats, and a lasting patch follows the same sequence.
- 1
Cut Back to Sound Stucco
Loose and hollow-sounding stucco is removed back to a solid edge.
- 2
Repair the Lath
Rusted or torn wire lath is replaced and fastened so the new coats have something to grip.
- 3
Scratch Coat
A first cement coat is pressed into the lath and scored so the next coat bonds.
- 4
Brown Coat
A second coat builds the patch flush with the surrounding wall and is left to cure.
- 5
Finish Coat
The finish coat is textured to match the wall, then the patch is coloured or painted to blend.
The craft
How We Match Stucco Texture and Sheen
We match stucco by reproducing its aggregate, application pattern and sheen on a test board before touching the wall or ceiling. Aggregate varies from fine sand to coarse chips depending on era and manufacturer.
Spray pressure and nozzle distance change an interior pattern completely. On painted stucco we also match sheen, because a perfect texture with the wrong gloss still shows.
Send us a few photos for a faster estimate.
Compare
Should You Repair or Remove a Stucco Ceiling?
Repair makes sense when you like the ceiling and the damage is limited; removal makes sense if you are renovating or tired of the look. Here is how they compare. Removal is covered on our stipple and popcorn ceiling removal page.
| Factor | Repair the stucco | Remove the stucco |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower for a few patches | Higher, priced per square foot of ceiling |
| Mess | Limited to the patch area | Whole room contained and scraped |
| Asbestos risk | Small disturbance, still tested if pre-1990 | Full disturbance, testing essential |
| Resale appeal | Keeps a dated look | Smooth ceilings appeal to most buyers |
| Headroom | No change | No change if scraped; slight loss if boarded over |
Non-negotiable
Asbestos Testing Before Disturbing a Stucco Ceiling
Stucco ceilings applied before 1990 should be lab tested before any repair, because textured coatings from that era can contain asbestos. Disturbing asbestos-containing material in Ontario is regulated under O. Reg. 278/05.
A negative result means the repair goes ahead normally. A positive result means abatement by a qualified contractor first, and we can finish the ceiling afterwards.
Pricing
How Much Does Stucco Repair Cost?
Stucco repairs are priced per patch or per room inside, and per section outside. Painted interior stucco costs more because it needs priming and sheen matching.
| Job size | Typical scope |
|---|---|
| Single patch | One hole, crack or fixture opening |
| Several patches | Multiple repairs in one room, sharing set-up time |
| Section re-spray | Part of a ceiling rebuilt after water damage |
| Exterior section | A cracked or broken area rebuilt in three coats |
FAQ
Stucco Repair Questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear on site visits every week.
Can a stucco ceiling be patched without redoing the whole thing?
Yes, in most cases. We patch the damaged area and blend new stucco into the old; if the damage covers a large share of the ceiling, re-texturing the whole surface gives a more even result.
Will the patched area match the rest of the ceiling?
We test the texture on scrap board and adjust until it matches. On older, painted or yellowed ceilings we may recommend painting the whole ceiling afterwards.
Do you repair exterior stucco as well?
Yes. We repair cracks, broken corners and damaged sections on exterior stucco walls. Full re-cladding and EIFS systems are specialist work that we refer out.
When is the best time of year for exterior stucco repair?
Late spring to early fall. Cement stucco needs temperatures above freezing for several days after application to cure properly.
Related
Related Ceiling Services
Stucco ceilings often need other work at the same time. See textured ceiling and wall repairs for knockdown and swirl patterns, and ceiling repair for sagging or water damaged ceilings.
Free written quote Prefer to talk it through? Call us (343) 504-7975
Request a Stucco Repair Quote
Send a close-up photo of the stucco and a wider photo of the damage, and tell us roughly when the home was built. For exterior stucco, include a photo of the full wall.
- Hours
- Mon to Sat: 7:00am to 9:30pm
- Sun: 9:00am to 8:00pm
- Service area
- Kingston and towns within about 45 minutes, plus larger projects further afield.
- Licensed
- Fully insured
- WSIB covered
- WHMIS trained
- Working at Heights trained
- Drywall specialists