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The easiest way to remove stucco is to use a circular saw with a diamond blade to cut small squares out, pry them off, and then cut the metal lath behind it with tin snips. It’s possible to do everything with a hammer and a crowbar, but it will take significantly longer and will wear you out more quickly. Plus, you’ll have a higher risk of damaging windows, hidden siding, and sheathing if you go the less precise route.

You should aim to let stucco dry for at least 48 hours before it rains. While misting new stucco and keeping it moderately moist is important for strength and longevity, uncontrolled exposure to rain can lead to weak stucco that doesn’t bond properly. Rain can also affect the stucco finish and the color unevenly, leaving you with less appealing siding.

Stucco is considered a type of cladding because it includes a built-in ventilation layer, a weatherproof membrane beneath that, and, often, a layer of insulation to improve building efficiency. The multiple layers of stucco—the scratch coat, the brown coat, and the finish coat—also create a more complex building membrane, so it’s more accurate to call it cladding. However, homeowners and contractors alike refer to stucco as siding.

Yes, stucco can be installed over existing siding, but some contractors wouldn’t recommend it. Putting stucco over other types of siding requires careful consideration and proper preparation. Stucco is regularly added over brick and wood siding; however, some of the biggest factors affecting stucco installation include the condition of the existing siding and whether it’s strong enough to hold the weight of the stucco. If stucco is added to another type of siding, the weight can cause it to crack, making it susceptible to moisture, water damage, and mold.