Originally Posted By: jremas This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Are there any thoughts on EIFS and certification for EIFS? Does anyone do any stand alone EIFS inspections? There are a good amount of stucco homes in my area but the EIFS tends to be in the commercial end, although some of the newer constructed homes may have it.
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Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com
Originally Posted By: rmeyers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff,
My personal "opinion" on the EIFS is that they violate one of the most basic laws of Mother Nature (and Construction 101). "Always put the vapor barrier on the warm side of the wall." The early systems created vapor barriers on the outside as well as inside the wall cavity, usually combined with insufficient insulation, leading to numerous failures due to condensation problems within the system.
Personally, in my 7 years of business I have not been called to look specifically at an EIFS, although I've noted several local commercial applications being re-done. Local residential contractors have been using the systems for the last 5-10 years with more attention to added insulation and better interior vapor barriers. Seems to be working so far!
Depending on what you have in your arsenal now and the inspection procedures you develop it could require an upgrade or purchase of some new equipment. Non Invasive Moisture Meter- to cut down patch work, Scope - to confirm extent of damage when moisture detected, New steel toed boots for kicking wall base plates, etc.
You may want to visit the web site at, ( www.eifsalliance.com ) as part of your research into EIFS issues. I visited briefly and it appeared to be a good source.
Like many new products the systems have great potential if properly designed and installed. Detecting failures and sorting out the design and installation issues between Architects and Contractors could make for some challenging work as an inspector and also lead to additional work as an expert wittness in court.
Hope this gets the ball rolling on this topic, I wouldn't mind learning more myself!
Originally Posted By: jremas This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Thank you Russ. I do hope that we have more discussion on this. I would like to get the training and certification for this BUT I have to weigh the cost vs benefit factor. I am always wanting to increase my knowledge base as long as it is applicable and cost effective. I wonder if there are any EIFS inspection stories to be heard here yet?
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Jeff Remas
REMAS Inspections, Inc.
Northeastern PA & the Poconos
www.NEPAinspector.com
Originally Posted By: rkuntz This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Jeff
I know an inspector who went through the training and is certified. He said it was not worth it and didn't add much business. There is a fair number of EIFS installs in his area.
Originally Posted By: dbroad This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The problem is not the EIFS systems but many of the installers. I have worked on countles EIFS buildings and did the work the way it was intended to be done. Not once in 20 years have we had a call back. Now I see foam with no mesh, no base coat, no flex coat on horizontal substraits.
Originally Posted By: dbowers This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The training you want is from EDI (exterior design institute) in Virginia. They’re the ones that insurance agents, underwriters, code officials and knowledgeable realtors refer you to. They have on-site and on-line.
Most of the on-line graduates I've seen are poor to fair at best.
We do 45-65 per year in Kansas and were not a hot spot.
Originally Posted By: cradan This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
EDI’s training and annual membership will run you $1,000.00, +/- $100.00. Necessary equipment for EIFS moisture investigations (if bought new) will run you @ $375.00 to $500.00 for a pin-type moisture meter, and another $900-$1,100 for a wet wall detector (new).
Your up-front investment for equipment and training will be in the neighborhood of $2,200.00 to $2,500.00. Depending on your market, this can be a very sage investment. Many higher-end homes in our area are EIFS-trimmed or full-wall EIFS-constructed, and many experience moisture problems. A full survey and inspection in this area for @ 3,000 s.f. home with approximately 20-24 windows, fully EIFS-clad, will net about $500 to $600. Site work for an experienced team of two (2) takes about 3 hours; report preparation and coordination is about another hour.
If you have a decent stock of EIFS homes in your operating area, talk to local realtors and builders (and insurers) to learn more about the opportunities.
Originally Posted By: jrooney This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree with Dale. It is the applicators who are at fault. I spent 26 years doing Stucco Plaster an EIFS. Not once did we get a call back on any EIFS system. As a home inspector it would do you good to be involved in a chapter of local inspectors. You could get the local EIFS manufacturers Rep to give you a presintation on PROPER application. When the rep is complete you should know what a properly installed system looks like and what to look for that would indicate more inspection is needed.
With EIFS it is good to "suggest" and "recommend".