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Stucco Details That Make Termites Visible
Stucco and EIFS that run down into the soil can give termites a hidden path into a house and keep your pest control company from seeing it. We correct those details, repair termite-damaged wood and wall sections, and work alongside your pest control company, who handles inspection and treatment.
- Foam cut back from grade
- Inspection gap restored
- Damaged wood replaced
- Pest control coordinated
Request a consultation & estimate
Residential or commercial. We’ll get back to you to set up an evaluation.
We never share your information. Prefer to talk? Call (888) 592-1304.
The problem is what you cannot see
Many Georgia homes built with EIFS or synthetic stucco had the foam and finish carried right down past the foundation and into the dirt or mulch bed. Termites do not eat foam for food, but they can tunnel through it or behind it, staying out of sight all the way up to the wood framing. Hard coat stucco that is buried below grade creates a similar blind spot behind the finish.
That hidden path is the real issue. Pest control inspectors look for mud tubes on the foundation, and when the cladding covers the foundation all the way to the soil, there is nothing to see until damage shows up inside. Termite wrap, in our trade, means changing the bottom of the wall so the foundation is visible again: trimming the system back above grade, terminating it properly and sealing the cut edge.
We do not treat for termites and we make no prevention promises. Your pest control company inspects, treats and advises; we handle the wall. If wood has been damaged, our carpentry crew replaces it before the stucco or EIFS repair goes back on.
Termite-related wall conditions
These are the details we find most often at the bottom of stucco and EIFS walls on Georgia homes.
Foam below grade
EIFS foam board running into soil, mulch or under a patio slab, with no visible foundation above it.
No inspection gap
Cladding carried down over the foundation so mud tubes cannot be seen by a homeowner or inspector.
Raised soil & mulch
Landscaping built up over the years until the dirt line sits above the bottom edge of the stucco.
Wet wall bottoms
Moisture wicking up from the soil into the base of the wall keeps sheathing damp, which termites favor.
Damaged framing
Sill plates, rim boards and stud bottoms found hollowed or soft once the lower wall is opened.
Missing terminations
Cut foam edges left unwrapped or without a proper starter or weep detail at the bottom of the wall.
Often paired with this work
Most wall problems involve more than one part of the envelope.
Carpentry
When water has been getting behind stucco or siding, the wood underneath pays for it.
Learn more
Fiber Cement Siding
We install fiber cement (Hardie) siding on new walls, additions and damaged stucco sections, and we handle the hard part: the transition where siding meets stucco or...
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Stucco Repair
A crack or a stain is usually the visible end of a water problem.
Learn more
EIFS Repair
A dent in EIFS is more than cosmetic once the mesh is broken, and a dark streak below a window often means wet foam.
Learn moreLeak Detection
Water behind stucco can travel several feet before it shows up as a stain, and sometimes it never shows at all.
Learn more
Stucco Waterproofing
Stucco is not a waterproof skin on its own.
Learn moreOur part and your pest control’s part
Termite issues on a stucco house involve two trades. Keeping the roles clear avoids gaps where each side assumes the other has it covered. Talk with your pest control company before and after our work so they can inspect the exposed foundation and update their plan.
If the lower wall needs to be opened, we will let you and your pest control company know what we find, with photos, so they can decide on any treatment before the wall is closed again.
| Task | Pest control company | ASR |
|---|---|---|
| Termite inspection | Yes | Share what we uncover |
| Soil or wood treatment | Yes | No |
| Cut cladding back from grade | Advises | Yes |
| Replace damaged wood | Advises | Yes |
| Rebuild and finish wall | No | Yes |
How we correct the bottom of the wall
Most of this work happens in a band along the foundation, so we plan around landscaping, patios and walkways.
Inspect the base
We check where the cladding meets the ground on every side, take moisture readings at the wall bottom and note any soft or damaged areas.
- Grade line checked
- Moisture probed low
- Findings photographed
Cut back & repair
The stucco or foam is trimmed back above grade, the lower wall is opened where damaged, and rotted sheathing or framing is replaced.
- Cladding above grade
- Damaged wood replaced
- Pest control updated
Terminate & finish
We finish the new bottom edge with the right termination and weep detail, wrap or coat the foam edge and match the finish to the wall above.
- Edge sealed and finished
- Foundation left visible
- Finish blended
Pest control flagged your stucco?
If your inspector cannot see the foundation, we can correct the wall so they can.
What our customers say
Homeowners and long-time commercial clients on working with ASR.
“ASR has repaired the bulk of our recent new home that was wrought damaged stucco, termite, water, and mold damage. They completely transformed our home from the inside and out, providing consistent communication and quality craftsmanship.”
“Each and every person has a positive attitude that is projected with every task, duty and responsibility. The team did a terrific job on safety, maintenance and housekeeping, in addition to applying their craft(s).”
“Great attention to detail and workmanship. Really appreciate the effort to carefully caulk all stucco penetrations and amazingly good job of matching the stucco color since I had the stucco painted 5 years before.”
Termite and stucco questions
What Georgia homeowners ask about stucco, EIFS and termites.
Do termites eat EIFS foam?
Will cutting the stucco back stop termites?
My pest control company says my stucco is too close to the ground. What now?
Do you treat for termites?
Can landscaping cause this problem?
Have the base of your walls checked
Call (888) 592-1304 or send the form. We will look at where your stucco meets the ground and work with your pest control company on a plan.
Request a consultation & estimate
Tell us about your home and what you are seeing, and we will set up an evaluation.
- Call(888) 592-1304
- E-mailinfo@advstucco.com
- Headquarters138 Mountain Brook Dr, Canton, GA 30115
- HoursMon–Fri 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Send us your project details
Residential or commercial. We’ll get back to you to set up an evaluation.
We never share your information. Prefer to talk? Call (888) 592-1304.