EIFS, does your new home have it



Posted: Saturday, May 13, 2006

by Michael Del Greco Licensed Home Inspector
Accurate Inspections, Inc

The exterior finish of many homes is an Exterior Insulation Finish System (EIFS), a synthetic stucco applied over rigid insulation. If your home has this type stucco it will sound hollow if you tap it with your fingernails. This siding system limits the ability of moisture to escape from the interior of the structural wall cavity once it enters through a poorly caulked window, pipe penetration, roof leak, etc. The result can be severe structural decay (rotted walls) due to prolonged moisture build-up that can be VERY expensive to cure. This decay will not be detected during a visual inspection, invasive testing is necessary.

Testing by a specialist familiar with EIFS must be performed prior to expiration of your inspection contingency to determine if concealed moisture build-up or decay is present and the scope and cost of corrective actions. Destructive testing may be necessary. At a minimum the invasive inspection you contract for must meet the guidelines specified by "EIFS FORENSICS INSPECTION PROTOCOL FOR EXISTING CONSTRUCTION" published by Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries - International (703) 534-8300, and the current recommendations of the EIFS Association, EIMA, (800) 294-3462.

Michael Del Greco is President of Accurate Inspections, Inc. A New Jersey home inspection firm. He has performed thousands of home inspections in New Jersey since 1993. He has taught the New Jersey Home Inspector Licensing classes and New Jersey Home Inspector CEU classes as well as participated in developing questions for the National Home Inspector Exam. Michael's home inspector resume may be viewed at http://www.mdelgreco.com

Visit http://home-inspector.NewJerseyHomeInspection.com for a list of home inspectors in New Jersey.

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