How to Cover Foundation Walls

Wash the surface of the foundation walls using a mild detergent and pressure washer to remove all dirt and residue.

Dig out 3 to 6 inches of soil next to the house and set it aside so you can put it back in place after covering the walls.

Place a drop cloth or nylon tarp around the foundation to catch spills. You can move the cloth or tarp as you work if you do not have enough to cover the area. Apply a wide painter's tape along the top edge of foundation to prevent spreading the stucco mixture onto the house siding.

Combine three parts medium-grain sand, one part Portland cement and one-half part lime in a large tub and mix it thoroughly to make the dry mixture for the stucco covering. Stir in water until the mixture forms a stiff ball that holds together.

Mist the foundation surface with water to make it tacky and then apply the stucco mixture by spreading it onto the surface with a masonry trowel to a thickness of about 1/2 inch. Use the masonry trowel to roughen the surface of the stucco for a traditional look or smooth it for a flattened look.

Let the stucco covering dry for at least two days to harden completely. Fill the removed soil back against the foundation to hide the bottom edge of the stucco covering.