Originally Posted by
Steven Turetsky
Scott,
When you mention the "old barrier system", I wonder how often you come across the "new water managed" or "drainable" systems. I know that you are familier with EIFS and wonder what you come across where you are. I do more EIFS inspections than standard home inspections, and I'm sorry to say that I've yet to see a drainable system installed on a residential property.
It amazes me that after all the problems that have been associated with barrier systems, and even with some of the banks refusing financing on homes with barrier systems... years after drainable systems have been introduced, I still don't see them.
I seldom see a drainable system and if I do they are installed wrong. They are still leaving out the flashing details and proper sealants around the penetrations.
I have an EIFS inspection on Monday on a new home. Small amount of EIFS on some dormers, under the front porch and I think on a gable over the front door. It is suppose to be a drainable system from what the builder has told me. We shall see. FYI, the only reason they are having an EIFS inspection is that they had the home inspected and their home inspector would not even look at the EIFS, disclaimed it and told them to have a professional EIFS inspection! So now they get to pay me a few hundred dollars for me to spend about thirty minutes at the home and to write a short letter report, because their inspector didn't know about EIFS.
I'm constantly amazed at how many home inspectors disclaim EIFS during a normal inspection, yet they will not say anything when it comes to other types of claddings. Learning about EIFS is not rocket science, you just need to know what to look for and understand that about 95% of all installations are wrong.