Commercial Stucco & Wood Repair in Cottonwood, AZ — Water Damage Restored the Right Way

Ken Schmidt
Nov 18
3 min read

At Rio Verde Handyman & Home Services, we get called for all kinds of repairs, but water damage—especially on commercial buildings—is one of the most common and important issues to tackle quickly. Recently, we completed a stucco and wood sill-plate rebuild on a commercial property here in Cottonwood, AZ, and it turned out great.

If you own or manage a building or residential home/property in the Verde Valley, this project is a perfect example of why early detection and proper repair matter.

What Was Going On With the Building?

The property owner noticed soft and deteriorating wood siding under a window on the lower portion of a wall. When we arrived, we quickly confirmed the source:

Water intrusion around the window
Rotting exterior siding
A water-damaged wood sill plate (structural)
Failing siding and compromised moisture barrier

This kind of damage only gets worse with time, so a proper reconstruction—not a patch—was the right call.

Step-By-Step: How We Repaired the Damage

Here’s exactly what we did to bring this wall back to full strength:

1. Careful Tear-Out of Damaged Materials

We removed all compromised materials including:

Rotten wood siding
The damaged sill plate
Soft, crumbling stucco
Failures in the original moisture barrier

Once everything was opened up, we could clearly see the extent of the water infiltration.

2. Replace & Reinforce the Wood Structure

We rebuilt the damaged framing and repaired the wood sill plate, ensuring it was level, properly fastened, and ready to support the wall for decades.

3. Install New Exterior Plywood

To restore the exterior sheathing, we installed fresh plywood and secured it to the repaired framing. This step ensures the wall is solid and ready for proper stucco layering.

4. Re-Install Moisture Protection

We added new vapor/weather-resistant paper to prevent future moisture intrusion. This is a critical step many quick-fix guys skip, but it’s essential in our climate.

5. Add Stucco Lath

We installed new stucco lath/metal mesh to provide a strong grip for the new stucco system.

6. Apply New Stucco

We matched the existing texture carefully so the repair blended seamlessly with the surrounding wall. After drying and curing, the finish looked factory-original.

7. Prime & Paint

Finally, we sealed the stucco, applied primer, and painted the repaired area to match the building’s exterior. The transition from old to new is virtually invisible.

The Final Result

The owner was extremely happy with how clean and professional the repair looked. Structurally sound, weatherproof, and perfectly blended — exactly what you want from a commercial building repair.