The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Care And Repair Of The House
Pointing the Cracks.
In pointing it is desirable to use the same brand of cement and mix to the same proportions as in the original work. If the previous mixture can not be determined, it is usually safe to use a 1 to 3 mixture, containing 1 part cement, 3 parts sand, and one-tenth part finely divided materials, such as hydrated lime, measured by volume.
The mortar should contain just enough water to make a fairly dry mixture—of about the consistency of putty. It should be applied like a calking material; that is, rammed and tamped in well so that it will make a complete contact and form a secure bond.
Care of Finished Work.
The new work should be wetted down daily for several days after it has hardened to increase the strength of the cement. It is a good plan, if practicable, to hang a tarpaulin or similar covering over the completed work to protect it from direct exposure to the sun and drying winds.
Concealing the Cracks.
If the cracks show up badly after pointing work is finished, it may be necessary to paint the entire surface with a cold-water wash or oil paint, as described in Chapter XII, section 7 (pp. 87 to 89).
2. CLEANING A STUCCO SURFACE
When Portland cement stucco becomes soiled it may be washed without injury by the application of water alone or water containing cleaning materials.
Ordinary dust and dirt may usually be removed by washing the walls with water from a hose and brushing with a wire or fiber brush. If this does not accomplish satisfactory results, the surface should be scrubbed vigorously with a soap-and-water solution and then rinsed with clear water. It is difficult to clean stucco thoroughly without marring the surface. A dashed surface may be badly injured by too much brushing and rubbing.
If the stucco has other than a pebble or stone-dash surface and is badly soiled and stained, it may be washed with a solution of muriatic acid (containing 1 part of acid to 6 or 7 parts of water) applied with a fiber broom and then thoroughly rinsed with cold water. To remove every trace of acid, wash the surface again with very dilute ammonia (1 pint of ammonia to 2 gallons of water).
For white cement stucco it is better to use a sulfuric-acid solution, as the muriatic acid has a tendency to produce a yellowish tinge on white cement.
Stucco may be brightened, and all rust stains and other discolorations concealed, by painting the entire surface with a cold-water wash or oil paint, as described in Chapter XII, section 7.
