EIFS INSPECTION (Exterior Insulating Finish System)

There has been a lot of buzz in the building industry regarding EIFS (Exterior Insulating Finish System) recently. The controversy started in New Hanover county in North Carolina when lawsuits were initiated by home owners that found excessive moisture, mold and even some structural damage on their EIFS clad homes. BJK Property Inspections, Inc. hopes that the following information can offer some insight into what EIFS is and inform you about some of the possible problems with it.

EIFS, more commonly known by the brand names Dryvit®, Synergy®, Parex® or the generic Synthetic Stucco, has been used in the United States since the late 1960's. This material has resulted in some very significant architectural buildings in the commercial and residential markets.

Unfortunately, what appeared to many to be a "perfect" exterior finish material has turned into a nightmare for some homes with EIFS finishes. Some buildings were found to have excessive mold and moisture caused by water invading the "watertight" finish. Moisture enters the cladding through cracks, bad flashing details and unsealed areas. The moisture cannot escape, thus creating mold and/or mildew. This in turn results in deterioration of the material behind the cladding, which .necessitates removal of the EIFS finish, repair of the structure and recladding of the wall.

Most problems have been traced to poor workmanship, yet there is a class action lawsuit brought by some homeowners against many manufacturers of the EIFS cladding materials. There is also at least one insurance company that will not underwrite a policy on buildings with EIFS cladding. Some building code officials are considering special inspection procedures by third party, impartial inspectors during construction.

There are special inspection techniques, tools and documentation procedures to inspect buildings with EIFS cladding that the inspectors at BJK Property Inspections, Inc. are trained to conduct.

Call BJK Property Inspections, Inc. at 615-591-6870 for more information on EIFS inspections or for a quote for this type of inspection.

More Information:

You can access www.eifsfacts.com or www.novashoc.org or www.askbuild.com for more information about EIFS.