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German schmear is a durable brick masonry coating. It should last at least a decade or two without flaking or fading, even with minimal maintenance. This makes it an economical option compared to the cost of painting your house exterior, which usually needs to be repainted every five to 10 years to keep it looking its best—thus costing more over the same time period.

When cleaning stucco siding, it is recommended to use a pressure washer with a psi (pounds per square inch) between 1,500 and 2,000. This range provides sufficient power to remove dirt and grime without causing damage to the stucco surface. It's important to avoid using excessive psi as it can chip or crack the stucco. 

Using a wider spray nozzle and keeping a safe distance of about seven to 10 feet from the siding helps ensure a gentle and effective cleaning process. Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and adjust the psi accordingly based on the condition of your stucco and the specific requirements of your pressure washer.

A standard drill will work just fine if you’re drilling small holes, and only a few of them. But anything with a diameter larger than 3/8 inch is best done with a hammer drill, since it is stronger, faster, and also makes your drill bits last longer. While you don’t absolutely need a hammer drill for stucco, it is a worthy investment if you think you might drill more holes down the road.

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.