one hour stucco repairs tutorial, How to DIY

Material list

1/2” diamond mesh metal lay or similar
Woven riven lath is ok as well
60 minute building paper or similar felt waterproof paper or bithuthene just don’t try peeling the paper off the back as you prolly won’t have much luck
Hand tacker staples, staple gun
5 d galvanized nails
Caulking for windows and doors
Lowes or Home Depot fast set stucco just add water

Total cost. Around 350-400.00

Hi faithful viewers and new inquirers to my video of how to fix your stucco repair around a damaged pluming repair or any repair for that matter.
Ask if you have any questions or suggestions on how to do this better. As many of you know I am a seasoned plasterer, lathing and plaster contractor since 1991. In the early days it was much different than it is today. Seems many things are different that they were yesteryear. Let me give you a few examples.

For one, a hod carrier is called a hod carrier because he's was the one who would carry an aluminum built v shaped bucket on his shoulders up a ladder to the brick layers or plasterers above. Today the hod is a thing of the past. Fast forward a few years. Home Depot and the Homer bucket. wallah the new way to carry mud up a ladder. Yet the bucket is much harder to carry, go figure. I guess the production line on hods fell to new lows over the years. Now new hoodies don't really even know what a hod is. Nor will you see brown stucco when we do the brown coat.

A second example is the use of furring nails. Long long ago our wire was made flat, much like chicken wire. Until the invention of self furred wire and pneumatic nail guns and 7/8" staples, lathers had to use what's called furred nails to space the wire away from the wall so mud could be squeezed behind wire lath. Today wire comes self furred and days of the furring nail are all but gone.

A third example of change over the years is what I believe holds true too many plasterers but not all is the interest of the beauty of conventional stucco. Now granted acrylic stucco will expand and contract with the system and inhibit extensive cracking. Acrylic is also a beautiful finish. When acrylic dries after its initial application it can be a beautiful wall. In fact it is so pretty that you would almost think it was painted. Acrylic stucco comes in any color of the spectrum and can be matched to specifications within 90% of its sample color. this is something that is hard to achieve with conventional stucco. What is the drawback and I bet you are saying to yourself what is Ken trying to say here. Well here it is guys. This is what I think about acrylics. All that I have written above plus this. However there is an even keel when it comes to cost. Because regular (conventional stucco cracks and some people are adamant that stucco isn't supposed to crack. Well these people are just misinformed. You see, stucco is supposed to crack. Its just not supposed to burn, it insulates well and the termites won't eat it. It goes the same for acrylics yes. But here is the thing. Regular conventional stucco is under rated. Once you truly understand art, and I will add that it doesn't take much to learn art, it's the yearning for art that will define who you are and tell you what you want to see. Acrylics are flat, no character, in fact it looks like it was painted on. Whereas regular stucco is natural. regular stucco comes from the earth and so do its colors. Not like acrylic who's colors are made in a factory in St Louis. They are both beautiful finish cladding for residential and commercial applications. The choice is yours. Which would you rather have on your dream home? Acrylic stucco? or Conventional stucco?

[tylerF]

All I gotta say is this is such a great video. I took the time and watched this video twice and successfully completed my first stucco repair. Got all the right tools, the same material (with exception for getting steel lath instead of diamond wire) and did my best to stick to this routine. Turned out great and i appreciate all the information. Not only do I have another skill set under my belt but also earned me some money on the side! Great vid! Thanks!

[VSKULLS]

I've been a Electrician for 30+ yrs now, And have to say it's wonderful to watch a Veteran pro at work. I've had to pain & joy of training so many young men & women to becoming a good appearance and than a great Journeyman. So from one pro to another, thank you for sharing your talents and art with us all❤

[bobjones]

Here's a old school dude that knows his trade, I admire TF out of people like him..As an old school elevator mechanic myself it's nice to see people who give AF about their work..I'm the same way. I know my trade inside out because I was taught by the old schoolers before me and take my work seriously...Workmanship pride is a fading standard.

[Therealhomeinspectionauthority]

Looks great, as a sewer line inspector thank you for not burring the clean-out. Yes i have seen many buried in stucco.

[stevenstubing]

WOW. Guy knows and has practiced hands! I cant get it overnight...but I can go back to this video as an agency standard. This is what Youtube is about! Thanks Very Much!!!

[GT-mqdx]

Did anyone else just feel like they were back in junior high or high school shop because this was one heck of a class. Yes I’m dating myself lol, middle school and high school late 70’s to early 80’s, I have yet to see a teaching DIY video like this one. Thanks for all the tips that I just learned. 😎

[alejandroflores]

I started my LLC in late 2024 and I am learning so much from guys like this that makes it so easy to understand. I have made my first jump from brick wall to cement patch and thanks to this I will try to do better next time, knowing a lot more about this. Needless to say videos like this, knowledge reach millions despite the low views, Thank you and I will try to get the long tool since my wall was not so straight. Thank you.

[barbarareed]

I am so thankful for this video! I just received an estimate for a stucco patch job. I was surprised at how much the repair was for. Then after watching your video, I understand how much work it takes to do the job. With that being said, this 66-year-old gal is going to give this a try. I have many years of DIY experience on other projects, but this will be my first stucco job. Thank you for this very detailed lesson! Love, love, love your beautiful family picture. It made me smile!

[angiejackson]

Hi Ken, just wanted to say thank you for your detailed descriptions and instructions. My husband died unexpectedly right after repairing a plumbing issue in our home. I was left with a gaping hole in the exterior wall and little resources for the repairs. I have no men in my family anymore and was quoted prices I couldn't afford.
So, off to YouTube I went... I am so grateful to you for spending the time to create and share your knowledge! You made things easy to understand and follow for someone like me to repair my stucco! Many thanks to you and Merry Christmas!!

[RobertKraig]

You're a damn artist. The amount of professional experience you have must stretch 30yrs to do a job this nice.

[jeffnelson]

Your detailed explanation and problem solving is very helpful. Thanks!

[maragirl]

You are a gem for being knowledgeable and for caring about quality! So rare! Thank you!

[JasonR-bu]

15:20 water break was one of the valueable steps ppl be ashamed to mention, props to you

[walterheimbuch]

Excellent video! I was looking for video with a large hole similar to the one I'm repairing and this filled the bill. When I found it, I had already installed the barrier, foam board and wire. He does a great job of explaining the mixing of the stucco, desired consistency for both coats and the techniques for applying the material to the wall. Thanks!

[lturchini]

Learned some extra skills today. You took it to the next level for me -- placing the forms, being patient with the setup times, doing the extra fine tuning -- cleaning the tools as you go. Just fantastic craftsmanship Thank you !

[timothyfate]

They say when someone makes it look easy it is often because they know what they are doing. You made this look very easy which is kind of scaring me. My Old-time friend is teaching me golf. He makes it look so easy until I try hitting the ball. Today I’m fixing my wall. I will keep you posted to see if I shank it or hit par when doing the wall today. Video is awesome, THANK YOU!

[horsemanofwarwawahwoowah]

I love watching people do good work! My step dad worked with concrete for over 40 yrs and died in a bad ro over accident 😢 miss him very much!

[happylight]

What amazed me most is your shirt kept clean at the end of this awesome project.

[toddsullivan]

Awesome. I'm about to some stucco repairs on my house, long overdue. I live in Canada so the winters are rough on it. It's a 175 yr old house. Hoping it goes well, always a surprise. These videos definitely help the confidence. Thanks for making them.

[brianandrews]

Wow ! Great video. Very helpful and I've watched many including Giordano. You explain much better. Thank you !