Homeowners say shoddy = soggy By JENNIFER LIBERTO, St. Petersburg Times
County contractor licensing investigator Ron Aliff said he also received a few similar water damage complaints about houses built by Maronda Homes. But the commonality was that nearly all the water-damaged homes were constructed of cement blocks and stucco.
The problem is that neither cement block nor the 'cementitious finish' that passes for stucco is fully waterproof by itself, stucco contractors say. A protective sealant or paint coated over the stucco keeps water out. Even when applied adequately and liberally, the sealant wears off after a few years.