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It started with a small minor leak in my son's room, all we noticed was a slightly warped and damp baseboard, we cut and removed some wallboard and found only minor amount of water and dampness. There is a window on that wall (it is a vinyl window which was replaced an aluminum 6 years ago/new construction-type installation), we used a hose and yes water came through the paper down the wall. Insurance company come out and told us window was not flashed correctly and would not cover it. We had original contractor come back out to remove and re-flash, with permit and city inspector approved the new flashing job, but suggested they test it with hose before re-stuccoing outside or re-wallboarding inside, it still leaked, so they pull out more stucco and added more paper and it still leaks!!! So, they pull out all the stucco below the entire window and a foot on all sides and above and it was all rotten, just a slight touch of cramming new paper near it tears it and creates new holes. This is a large exterior wall spanning over 3 rooms, it seems the rotten paper goes on and on, it was built in 1968 and all there is is stucco, then chicken wire, then a thin layer of now rotten paper, then insultion, then wall board (no plywood back then). What do we have to do??? Do we have to have our entire house re-stuccoed??? I am totally paniced. If the paper is deteriorated from being old, and normal rain goes through stucco and down the thin layer of paper that eventually rotted, then will my insurance cover that? They wouldn't cover it if it was caused by poorly installed window, however, the rotten paper is everywhere not just near the window, above it too. Help, I need advice asap. If it rains, the entire room is now exposed. Thanks.
I not that familiar with stucco, but wet paper is caused by water penatrating the outer surface (in this case, stucco). Unless water can pass through stucco, it must not be sealed properly. The underlying flashing paper/tape works as an airseal/moisture barrier, but with most types of exterior surfaces the water shouldn't get that far. Why would they spray the window before re-applying stucco? I would think the bond between the re-applied new stucco and the window is what stops the water, not the paper below it. Hopefully, some others will chime in.
Dave
Sorry I don't know enough to really help you too much on this, but here's my best shot. I would also recommend finding a home inspector or someone who specializes in tracking down moisture problems to come take a look at things for you before you decide what to do (I know you're worried about the side of the house being exposed now, but I think we're pretty safe from rain now so take the time to really figure out what's going on before fixing it)
--I don't think water would get through the stucco itself under normal circumstances unless there are cracks or gaps in it, but if the water does somehow get inside the walls from somewhere else (leaky roof, window, water in crawlspace, etc), the moisture can be trapped inside the walls and cause mold to grow eventually
--if your window has been leaking for a while, it's possible that the moisture and mold could have spread much farther than just the immediate area of the window. Since you said your window was put in 6 yrs ago, my guess is that there's probably been a slight leak there for a while, but just not enough for it to come all the way through to the inside and be visible to you until now. That would have definitely given the mold a chance to grow and spread. Although the extent of where you're saying the mold is makes it seem to me that there could be a leak somewhere other than just the window.
--Could water be getting in somewhere else, either from a roof leak or from water under your foundation or something like that? This is why it's key to have an expert figure out what started the problem originally, otherwise you'll get your walls put back together and have the same problem right back again
--As far as insurance, I'm definitely not an expert on what they'll cover or not, but I do know that if you're planning on selling the house anytime in the next few years you should do everything you can to avoid making an insurance claim on anything related to mold/moisture/leaks...insurance companies tend to be very wary of issuing policies on properties or to people who've had these type of claims within the last 3-5 yrs, many companies won't issue policies at all and the ones that do will probably charge an arm and a leg. I had trouble getting insurance (and had to pay extra for it) on the house I have now because the sellers had made a $2000 claim a couple years earlier for damage related to a plumbing issue, and your problem sounds like it would be an even bigger red flag to them. And not only will the insurance claim haunt your house, it will also haunt you if you move--they won't want to insure you either even if you're in a new house with no water problems. Obviously if the repairs are expensive enough you may need to go the insurance route, but just wanted to make sure you did some research on the consequences first. I'm not sure if there are any repercussions (higher rates, cancel your policy, etc) if you make the claim but aren't planning to move anytime soon, but I've heard lots of stories about insurance problems brought about by people making mold/water damage claims so definitely do your homework before making a claim.
TO CLARIFY: The paper is discinigrating, but there is NO mold. Because the paper is rotten/falling apart, and the window had an entrance for water to get in (we believe it was from the weep hole on the window draining under the window's nailed on framing) the water unfortunately could not drain down the paper and out the bottom of the house because the paper was so vulnerable/discinigrating with various cuts/holes brittleness. The paper probably got so brittle from it being old and then the water intrusion, then finally couldn't stay together enough to continue keeping out the water. It was not a bad leak, there was NOT enough water to even wet the carpet much inside, we noticed the problem from a buldging/damp baseboard. Much of the water did drain down the paper, but it spread (water travels), and eventually the paper deteriorated and could not do it's job. Now by removing the stucco completly under it and a foot along the sides and tops the paper discinigrates almost by the slightest touch. Our main question is: When putting new paper under and around the window, it is impossible to slide it very much at all under what remains of the old paper because as you try to slide it under, the old paper cracks and creates new holes for allowing new water intrusion. So how far does one go when removing the stucco? It would be endless because the paper is so old and vulnerable. The concern is when we install the new paper, where its outer perimeters meet the old paper, there will be cracks in the paper. Other people must have old deteriorating paper under their stucco. Does rain go through the stucco? If we can keep water from coming through the window by installing/flashing it the right way this time would the old remaining surrounding paper be ok? We keep up our home very very well and every year when we clean the gutters we add caulk to the windows, yet this is what happened to us.
Sorry, when you talked about water and then said the paper was rotting I assumed there was mold involved. I'm not familiar with the stuff that goes into stucco walls so I'm not positive what the function of the paper is--if it's supposed to provide a moisture barrier then my guess is you'll need to replace it, but if it's really paper (rather than plastic or some type of waterproof material) I don't think that's what it's used for, so in that case having holes/cracks in the paper shouldn't make a difference. I don't think rain should go through stucco under normal circumstances, otherwise they wouldn't build houses with it. But if it does get through the stucco then I don't think the paper's going to stop it either (if it's really paper).
My comments on insurance claims still hold though if water was in any way involved in causing the damage. As does the suggestion on calling in some sort of inspector or other expert
