Historic stucco replaced in Washington, DC

Historic house re-stuccoed
in Washington, DC

Old stucco was re coated some years back, and the newer stuff didn't bond.	No, this isn't an abandoned HUD project. Windows are covered with Masonite to protect from damage when old stucco is torn off.

Deteriorated wood lintel has seen better days.	A new steel lintel is put on and bricked in. Mortar is mixed with plenty of Flex-con for strength and a good bond. If it wasn't for Flex-con, I would be afraid to tackle a project like this.

Old stone lintel has no support. Apparently, someone took out a window and put in a wider window. The second window was taken out and bricked up, without support for the lintel.	A few solid bricks, and problem solved.
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Another wood lintel is replaced with steel. If you are wondering why we put the lintel in backwards, because we didn't have to tear out more bricks than we have to. The front is covered with lath and stucco anyway. The scratch coat will be mixed with plenty of Flex-con, and squished in real good between the bricks.	A weep screed is put on at the bottom to allow for drainage. Note how bad the brick joints are deteriorated at the bottom. When water penetrates the stucco, (or brick), in runs down and is trapped at the bottom. The old lime mortar dissolves after time. There is also a small gap in the bottom to allow for drainage from the brick.

A splay angle (an inside corner more than 90 degrees) is straightened with this method. If you have ever done any plastering, you know these are hard to get straight. Two string lines are set a couple inches from the angle with nails.	The strings are pulled to the top of the wall to the thickness of the wall. A screed is set by packing behind the string with mortar.

Pretty durn straight, huh ?	Screeds are set around the windows using wood strips. This is also called stripping.

I put my coins in the chimney before the mortar set up all the way. All our chimneys have rounded cap at the top, and a drip lip, or a band at the top. This makes the chimney last by keeping so much water from running down the chimney.	Color finish is applied and floated. What is a float finish ? Please click here to watch a video.