Stucco

Helping Virginia Townhome Buyers Avoid Costly Mistakes

To help you avoid costly mistakes when purchasing your next Virginia townhome, we have included many articles identifying inferior building materials and potentially harmful substances in a home.

Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS, for short) is also called synthetic stucco. Virginia builders began using EIFS in the 1980's, first in commercial buildings, then applying it as an exterior finish to residences, mostly wood frame houses.

The 3 layers of Stucco:

• Inner Layer - Foam insulation board that's secured to the exterior wall surface, often with adhesive.
• Middle Layer - A polymer and cement base coat that's applied to the top of the insulation, then reinforced with glass fiber mesh.
• Exterior Layer - A textured finish coat.

EIFS layers bond to form a covering that does not breathe. If moisture seeps in, it can become trapped behind the layers. With no place to go, constant exposure to moisture can lead to rot in wood and other materials within the home.

What had worked well as an exterior shell for concrete and stone became a problem when used on wood. Moisture related problems lead to individual and class action lawsuits by consumers.

Another problem resulted when the insulation board was allowed to contact or penetrate the ground below. This would often allow access to termites and other insects into the home.

Traditional concrete stucco (also called Hard Coat Stucco) uses materials and application techniques that are different than EIFS. Traditional concrete stucco has a long history of successful application worldwide and remains a popular product for construction today.

EIFS Synthetic Stucco vs. HCS Traditional Stucco

• EIFS Synthetic stucco is soft and sounds hollow when tapped.

• Traditional stucco is hard and brittle, and sounds solid when tapped.

Maintaining EIFS

• Doors and window frames and the areas around flashings, must be caulked to prevent water from seeping behind the EIFS. Items that penetrate the stucco must also be sealed.
• Gutters should be kept clean and positioned to drain away from the house.
• Foam should not extend below grade.
• Moisture inspections must be periodically made by a stucco professional to find hidden moisture issues. In other words, no moisture should be able to seep behind the EIFS.

Signs of EIFS Problems

• Mold or mildew on the interior or exterior of the home.
• Swollen wood around door and window frames.
• Blistered or peeling paint.
• Cracked EIFS or cracked sealant.

EIFS Today

Newer EIFS systems include a drainage system to keep moisture from being trapped behind the covering. Companies specializing in stucco will help you keep your EIFS sealed and in good shape. Some of these companies will even offer a bond guaranteeing no moisture issues. Some folks have even gone so far as to fully remove EIFS and replaced it.

If you have any concerns about what type of stucco was used to construct your Virginia townhome, a competent home inspector will be able to identify what materials were used and if any potential issues are visible.

Your Virginia Townhome Online Information Resource

Are you thinking about buying a Virginia townhome and you need assistance making an offer? Contact us today if you have any questions about Mold, Lead Paint, Stucco, Radon, Polybutylene or other materials that may have been used to construct townhomes in our area. We know several experienced professionals who will provide the answers you seek to your questions about these materials.