look for well-maintained stucco siding free from cracks, moisture damage, or mold doubled underlayment or any provision for draining water that gets behind it. AMI sample photo from a home inspection

Most of this house is clad with a traditional 3-coat hardcoat stucco.

Stucco siding from this era was almost always installed without a properly doubled underlayment or any provision for draining water that gets behind it. Wall penetrations, wall bases, and wall/roof joints are common locations where water can cause damage. Here, we found areas of missing and rot-damaged trim at the base of the stucco around the entire perimeter of the house.