EIFS and Stucco Inspection

EIFS & Stucco

Brent Delozier 214-878-1520

Services Offered

Stucco / EIFS Third Party Inspection

Services are provided to assist home inspectors, owners, buyers, realtors, appraisers, lenders, insurance companies, law firms, relocation services, and more. Inspections range from annual maintenance to pre-purchase inspections to initial installation inspection and review. Pre-purchase inspections can enable all parties involved to make informed, educated decisions regarding the sale or purchase of any home or building. Pertaining to new construction, certain installations may require third party inspections to comply with building codes and/or contract documents. Example: The IBC (International Building Code) requires that EIFS without weather barriers have third party inspections.

Moisture Intrusion Analysis - EIFS

Industry specific electronic equipment is used to perform invasive and non-invasive examinations to determine the moisture content, if any, located within an EIFS structure. Any areas of concern, along with an effort to recognize the origin of any moisture intrusion will be photographed and cited within the report.
*It should be noted that 19% is the EIFS Industry recognized threshold for elevated moisture. Any attempt by an inspector to use a moisture content of less than 19% as elevated is simply invalid. The US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Products Laboratory cites that lumber intended for framing and sheathing has an average moisture content of 15%, not to exceed 19%. Dry lumber, as defined in the American Softwood Lumber Standard, has a maximum moisture content of 19%. Unfortunately, some inspectors have come up with their own percentages for elevated moisture content, so BE SURE TO ASK! For more information on moisture content of wood:

http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr113/ch12.pdf

Forensic Investigation

The forensic investigation conducted on each Stucco or EIFS clad wall envelope is primarily a materials failure analysis focusing on sealants and flashing, both of which are crucial in the obstruction and diversion of water. It is important to try and analyze all factors that may have contributed to any system component failure that results in potential or actual water intrusion damage. These observations will be noted throughout the report documents.