Stucco color variation

[Inspectorjoe]

The one year old stucco above the lower roofs is white in several areas. There are no other apparent differences between it and the tan stucco.

I'm baffled.

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[AHI in AR]

Real stucco is very rare around here, so I don't see much of it. In looking at the pics, the only commonality that I can see is that it is near the lower end of the walls. It doesn't really look like it, but is there a chance it's efflorescence? Did you try rubbing it, wetting it (to check for color change) or seeing if there was any residue on the shingles?

[Inspectorjoe]

No, it's definitely not efflorescence.

Rubbing it had no effect.

The only thing I had on the roof to wet it with was ..... was .... uh, oh never mind.

The only residue on the roof was little bits that got slopped onto it during application.

The only thing I can come up with is that maybe before the gutters were installed, roof runoff splashed up and the acidic rainwater reacted with the pigment in the fresh stucco.

It seems to be just a cosmetic problem, but I'd like to know if it isn't. Anyway, from the picture below, you can see that it's not the biggest issue.

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[Bill Kibbel]

The only thing I can come up with is that maybe before the gutters were installed, roof runoff splashed up and the acidic rainwater reacted with the pigment in the fresh stucco.

I think that's partially correct minus the "acidic".

The Portland Cement Assoc. warns against wetting colored finish stucco when curing as it can wash out pigment, cause mottling and discoloration. Splash up immediately after application would be the likely culprit.

[Rob Amaral]

Could be simple rain backsplash...

[Inspectorjoe]

Thanks Kevin, Bill & Rob.

I'd better get my ass in gear if I want to finish the report before the race starts. .... No pun intended.