Originally Posted by
David Banks
Not needed by you or Jerry who live in Stucco land. But not for people in other parts of the country. Scott asked for a reason. He is not always sure.
EIFS is not something you want to miss identify.
I think that if you went around tapping on it and everyplace sounded 'hollow' and was somewhat 'soft' (as Phillip described), you would recognize EIFS.
If you went around tapping on it and it sounded not-quite-solid, you could tap on it where you know there would be, should be, a back up stud - aligned with a door or a window. There, the not-quite-solid sound would change to a more-like-solid sound. Like tapping on drywall to find a stud. You can typically get close.
If the entire thing sounds solid, then you would have stucco on masonry or concrete.
Another way would be (I think, I have not seen much EIFS at all) to check the bottom edge along the foundation - stucco would end in a weep screed (should anyway) or you would see plywood or OSB (if they did not install the weep screed - the total thickness might be 1/2" for the sheathing and 1/2" for the stucco (I know, it is supposed to be minimum 7/8" for the stucco, but who does that?), whereas EIFS would be much thicker, and soft, and may even have the foam core exposed - EIFS would be that same first 1/2" sheathing, then maybe an inch or more for the foam core insulation, then a thin finish.
Anyone with EIFS experience want to comment on my descriptions, and make them better and more accurate as needed?