Why Summer Is Best for Renovation

Repairing your home’s facade or doing other exterior renovations in the summer is easier and safer, and it’s not just about convenience. For materials such as stucco, cement stucco, acrylic stucco, lime stucco and elastomeric stucco, it is important that each applied layer can thoroughly dry and harden. In the rainy climate of the U.S. Pacific Northwest (for example, in Seattle, Washington state), the fall and winter are more humid and enjoy briefer spells of dry weather. This increases the risk of defects.

What if the renovation is posptoned until the cold season? In the fall and winter it is easier for water to find its way into the microcracks and seams in the brickwork, at various junctions and spots adjoining stone veneer or stonework. Temperature fluctuations cause moisture to expand and swell the coating from within. A small crack can thus lead to noticeable damage in the finish.

Renovating in the summer helps to avert the risks by eliminating the cracks, refreshing the seals around windows and doors, checking drainage, brushing up the areas with siding, tiles or concrete blocks, as well as outdoor recreation spots and poolside spaces, which are constantly exposed to water splashes and ambient humidity. The upshot: Summer repairs make for fewer winter surprises and a longer-lasting exterior.