Stucco Issues either New Construction or Resale? (Jacksonville, Sarasota: apartment, condo)

[lovetotravel15]

Leaning toward buying new, but considering resales.
Becoming "gun shy" attempting to do some due diligence on Pulte, Taylor Morrison.
Unfortunately, we have read reviews and articles on the web describing class action lawsuits for stucco issues or construction deficiencies for both of these builders both in Florida and elsewhere with warm climates such as SC and Arizona.
Question is, once we narrow down the community that we want to purchase in, either resale or new construction, would it be prudent to have an attorney who specializes in construction issues as well as stucco issues do a search to inform us if there are any class action lawsuits against one of those builders in a specific sub division?
Once we get that information, if we decide to go ahead with new construction, perhaps we should hire a stucco inspector and a construction engineer to do inspection during the building process?
If resale, we could hire a stucco inspector as well and a construction engineer.
Never had a stucco construction before and don't want to be regretful after the closing of the home.
Thanks very much for any insight to be proactive rather than reactive, since there are limitations on warranties.

[Sunshine Rules]

There are several local condo communities that have had to deal with major stucco fail in the past few years, I know of one in Lakewood Ranch and 2 in Palmer Ranch. The 2 in Palmer Ranch were both condo conversions in the early 2000's where the developer bought existent apartment buildings, took off the siding and then applied stucco over the frame construction to give them better curb appeal for buyers.

Some builders of single family homes have also experienced stucco fail issues, mainly in 2 story construction where the first floor is block and 2nd floor is frame construction. Often water intrusion issues have started around the windows in the 2nd floors. Besides the builders already mentioned by the original poster, other prominent builders sued previously or now being sued over stucco issues include KB Homes, Lennar, D.R. Horton, Toll Brothers. There may be more, these are the ones I am aware of.

Issues have also been found with the use of synthetic stucco by certain builders.


Here's an overall article regarding stucco fail you may find of interest:
https://icaschool.com/2016/06/01/flo...disaster-rise/

From that article: ASHI reporter‘s Mark Cramer explains that the 2005-2010 construction boom that hit Florida was marked by a serious problem: a lack of competent, skilled workers with adequate supervision.
and
The lack of proper drainage is a major culprit. Missing weep screeds and casing beads let water seep behind the stucco, where it can rot away the framing members. And when stucco is applied too thin, cracks readily appear, which also lets water inside.



Here's another article by ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) that contains some good photo examples of the various stucco issues:
https://www.homeinspector.org/Newsro.../14877/Article



Regarding the Pulte settlement, here's an article explaining what is and what is not covered:
https://www.yoursun.com/westvillages...0d962670c.html



According to many building experts, stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Stucco also offers the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. That does not mean, however, that stucco is maintenance free -- it should be inspected routinely for cracks and signs of water intrusion.

[lovetotravel15]

@Sunshine Rules...Thank you very much for the insightful links and information.
So helpful!

[Variable]

No stucco problems when the home is constructed of concrete block, which is what is most common in Sarasota/Bradenton area.

The stucco problems that exist are usually in north Florida and other states which construct homes using wood (instead of concrete block) and place stucco as the top layer but wood is eventually beneath the stucco.

There are some home in this area that are made of wood (rather than concrete block) but block is more common. Just focus on a block home and you are good. If it's a 2 story, make sure the 2nd story is block too. Sometimes builders in this area use wood on the 2nd story (and block on 1st story) and others block on 1st and 2nd story.

[lovetotravel15]

@Variable.. Thanks for your reply. Isn’t the stucco applied to the exterior and the issues have occurred
because the subs have rushed and not applied it properly, thus resulting in moisture even with
One story homes?
Thanks

[Variable]

Originally Posted by lovetotravel15

@Variable.. Thanks for your reply. Isn’t the stucco applied to the exterior and the issues have occurred
because the subs have rushed and not applied it properly, thus resulting in moisture even with
One story homes?
Thanks

stucco over block doesnt have moisture issues. stucco over wood frame homes can have this issue. If the one story home is stucco over wood frame then there is risk for the moisture issue. However, hardly any homes in the Sarasota Bradenton area are wood frame. Concrete block is most common. Stick with a block home and you will be ok. Vast majority homes in the area are stucco over concrete block with is fine.


There are areas of North Florida, mainly the Jacksonville metro area that generally has more wood frame homes than concrete block homes. But Sarasota Bradenton is mostly block.

[AttyShekelman]

Application techniques are critical...base coat, let it cure, then skim coat - problem is that these people are blowing and going too fast, not even drying time, not enough flex agent, then painting too soon...'


Worse yet, don't buy a new house actually being constructed during the rainy season, or find out when the CO was issued.....pouring foundations and doing heavy stucco work in July is fraught with moisture problems - I don't care who is the builder.

[lovetotravel15]

@AttyShekelman..thanks for your reply

[AttyShekelman]

Originally Posted by lovetotravel15

@AttyShekelman..thanks for your reply

Sure, you bet...it's ALWAYS something ! nothing is perfect... some people are using more and more "cementious board" such as Hardie Plank/panels - infused high density/medium density board with cement...very stable product with a very nice "look", but like everything else, application and following instructions are key! as in READ the manufacturers installation guidelines !!

[Sunshine Rules]

Block construction homes with stucco can still have water intrusion issues. Foundation shifts can cause cracks in the stucco. Generally, experts say the homeowner can repair cracks less than 1/4 inch wide but cracks larger than that can be signs of bigger problems and it's probably time to call in a professional.

Remember, concrete blocks are not waterproof. So cracks in the stucco can give access for water to intrude into your home thru the porous concrete blocks. If enough moisture permeates the blocks, you'll start to notice a distinct bubbling on your drywall in that location.

As I mentioned previously, routine inspection of the exterior walls of your FL home for signs of cracks is an important part of home maintenance.