What are the problems with EIFS?

The problems with barrier EIFS cladding all stem from water intrusion. These problems include moisture accumulation in the wall cavity, subsequent wood damage and, in more advanced cases, mold growth and the infestation of pests such as carpenter ants or termites.

When did builders stop using EIFS?

Future homeowners loved the look of the EIFS houses. The recession of 1990 was the only thing that slowed down the business as the EIFS industry’s sales dropped for the first time in 1991. But the business rebounded in 1992 and the EIFS residential business continued to grow—that is until it ran into the perfect storm.

When was EIFS a problem?

EIFS became very popular in the 1980’s and experienced a significant number of serious failures, almost all related to rain penetration.

Do contractors still use EIFS?

Virtually overnight, EIFS became the latest contractor scam on the nightly news. Yet today, EIFS are still around. About 100 million square feet of EIFS went on new and remodeled homes last year, rivaling any other siding material.

Which is better EIFS or stucco?

The fiberglass layer provides more durability, even against hard blows from weather. EIFS is notably lighter than traditional stucco, however. It is 80-percent less heavy than stucco, but it has a higher R-value, coming in between 4 and 5.6, which is notably higher than the 0.20 R-value of regular stucco.

Is EIFS a vapor barrier?

Over the years, there have been several attempts to resolve this problem, including creating a drainage system behind the insulation board or caulking and painting the EIFS with water-resistance paint. When you install EIFS on the exterior wall, it acts as a vapor barrier on the cold side of that wall.

Should I replace EIFS?

While moisture can get behind just about any exterior surface on a home, the plastic nature of the EIFS synthetic stucco coatings tends to trap moisture. This trapped moisture is the match that lights the mold growth and wood rot fuse. The EIFS synthetic stucco system must be removed for any number of reasons.

Can you pressure wash EIFS?

The good news is EIFS can be cleaned if your pressure washing contractor is trained like Sparkle Wash technicians are. Unskilled power wash operators tend toward use of high pressures or harsh chemicals, either of which can damage the finish coat of the material.

How much does it cost to replace EIFS with stucco?

The national average cost range to repair stucco is $900 to $3,000, with most homeowners paying around $1,700 for repairing buckled three-coat stucco in a 10 x 10-foot area. The low cost for this project is $250 for fixing a woodpecker hole. The high cost is $5,000 for remediation of two full walls of EIFS stucco.