Stucco, a cement-based plaster product, is one of the hardest and most durable building finishes available.

It is common for normal settling and shifting to cause hairline fractures in stuccoed homes. If water seeps into these cracks, damage can occur.

Stucco should be repaired as soon as cracks appear. Small repairs on homes and structures built after the 19th century are easy to do with pre-mixed stucco repair products.

Step 1: Hairline cracks can be repaired quickly with pre-mixed stucco repair products sold in squeeze tubes or caulk cartridges. Elastomeric caulks can be used on stucco applications, but stucco repair products are designed to closely resemble the original finish, resulting in a more authentic, structurally sound repair.

Step 2: Brush away loose stucco with a stiff wire brush. Use a hammer and chisel to widen the crack to at least 1/4 inch in diameter. If possible, bevel the sides of the crack so that the bottom of the crack is larger than the top of the crack. This will allow the repair product to lock into the crevice.

Step 3: Once the crack is cleaned and widened, cut the tip of the tube or cartridge at a 45-degree angle. Slowly apply the pre-mixed stucco repair product. Work the product into the crack using a putty knife or trowel. Immediately tool the material to match the surrounding stucco.

Step 4: Repair larger non-structural cracks and small holes with a pre-mixed stucco patching product, sold in tubs or larger containers. These products can be layered to fill small, damaged areas using a putty knife or flat trowel.

Step 5: Prepare the surface by removing loose material and brushing away dirt and debris. Use a chisel and hammer to bevel the edges of the crevice so the bottom of the crevice is larger than the top.

Step 6: Wet the surrounding stucco edges with water, or for better adhesion, apply a concrete bonding agent to the entire surface to be patched.

Step 7: Stir the pre-mixed product completely before proceeding.

Step 8: Fill the crevice or hole with the stucco patching product, pressing the product into place to ensure a solid patch.

Step 9: Wipe away excess patching product and allow the patch to dry before applying a second coat. Larger cracks and crevices may require multiple coats.

Step 10: Tool the final coat to match the surrounding stucco.

— Have a home improvement question you want answered by the Fix-It Chick? Email it to Linda Cottin at LawrenceLiving@ljworld.com.