Cracks in the chimney can be very serious, depending on their location and size. Even small cracks can become serious over time if left unrepaired. Cracks allow heat and moisture to deteriorate your chimney and harmful carbon monoxide gas to seep into your home. Small cracks can often be caulked, while large cracked sections may require full replacement.

The length of time shouldn’t matter much if you stick with lightweight Christmas lights and similar decorations. Those shouldn’t pose risks to your stucco. You should avoid attaching anything to your stucco that could fall because it’s too heavy, which may take part of the stucco with it. Some methods, like using double-sided tape or adhesive hooks, will naturally wear out over time and lead to falling lights, so don’t expect to leave these lights up year-round.

Yes, you can apply the stucco yourself, but it is a time- and labor-intensive project, especially on the exterior of a whole house. DIY stucco is better suited for repairing stucco siding or siding a smaller building, such as a shed or garage. Since most of the cost of stucco siding goes to labor, you can cut down significantly on the total if you’re up for the challenge.

The Mediterranean style is unique in that it’s designed for homes in hotter climates and to maintain a connection with nature. The building materials include stucco siding, clay roofs, and interior tiling with tall ceilings and open floor plans. These all come together to keep the interior cool. The building materials are all natural and tend to have muted earth tones, and the architecture typically allows for easy, open access to the outdoors through large windows and arched doorways. The decor and architecture can range from simple and functional to opulent, depending on the type of Mediterranean home it is.