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What does EIFS stand for?
EIFS stands for: Exterior Insulation and Finish System.
A basic EIFS system consists of 4 components:
- Polystyrene or polyisocyanurate foam insulation board.
- Glass fiber reinforcing mesh.
- Weather barrier composed of a durable, water-resistant
base coat applied to the insulation.
- Acrylic co-polymer technology, colorfast and crack-resistant
finish coat.
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What is the difference between PM and PB EIFS?
PM: Polymer Modified: Thick cementitious
base coat applied over glass fiber reinforcing mesh.
The joints in this system are similar to that in traditional
stucco. This system uses a standard finish however a elastomeric
finish can be used to fill any hairline cracks that could
occur with the thickness
of the base coat.
PB: Polymer Based: This system typically
uses adhesively fastened, expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation
as well as fiber reinforcing mesh embedded in a nominal
1/16 inch base coat. PB EIFS may include additional lares
of base coat and reinforcing mesh in order to create a higher
level of impact resistance. An EIFS finish coat is applied
over the entire base coat.
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What is the maximum thickness allowed for foam shapes to achieve
architectural treatments such as accent bands and cornices?
The national model building codes generally
limit foam thickness to a 4-inch maximum. However, precedence
exists for using thicker expanded polystyrene foam insulation
when acceptable to local authorities having jurisdiction.
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Are control joints necessary?
Yes. Control joints are normally grooved in the system
for aesthetic reasons but also to provide the tradesman
applying the finish reasonable areas for completing his
work without creating dry joints.
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How do you repair smaller damaged areas of the EIFS?
Be sure to establish and correct the cause of the damaged
area. Assuming the substrate is sound, proceed as follows:
Cut out and remove a rectangular section of the EIFS
extending approximately 3” on each side of the damaged
area to expose the substrate.
Grind off a band of acrylic finish at the perimeter of
the hole to a minimum width of 2 1/2” exposing the
system’s basecoat.
Apply adhesive to the back only of a tight filling piece
of insulation and install where the damaged area has been
removed, making sure that the substrate is clean and sound.
Sand the edges of the board so that it is flush with the
surrounding insulation.
Mask around the repair area and apply adhesive and reinforcing
mesh so that the mesh overlaps the existing exposed basecoat
21/2”. Ensure that the mesh is completely embedded.
Allow to cure for a minimum of 24 hours.
Remask and apply the same color and texture finish over
the patch. Remove the mask and using a damp brush feather
the perimeter of the patch into the existing finish.
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Can weather conditions during application affect the performance
of EIFS coatings?
Yes, EIFS adhesives, basecoats, and topcoats can all be
affected by the air temperature and humidity at the time
of application. Long-term performance may suffer if coatings
are applied when it’s too cold or damp, or if uncured
coatings are not protected during such weather.
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What happens if it is too cold?
Polymer latexes used to make 1-00% acrylic coatings that
have what is called a “Minimum film formation temperature”
(MFFT). Above the MFFT, the latex will form a clear film
with good-binding action. Below the MFFT however, the latex
will dry to a white powder and no film will form.
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Is mechanical attachment of EIFS recommended to resist high
wind loads?
In general, adhesive attachment of the EIFS sound supporting
construction provides superior wind load resistance in comparison
to mechanical attachment. It is important in an adhesively
attached system that the supporting construction is sound-free
of surface damage, defects or contamination, and, in the
case of sheathing substrates, that they are attached with
fasteners.
Fastener spacing must be capable of resisting wind loads.
It is recommended that mechanical fastenings of the insulation
to the substrate only be considered where adhesive attachment
cannot be used.
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What materials can I use to recoat my EIFS?
There are a number of acrylic finishes that can be used
for this purpose, including both standard acrylic and elastomeric
coatings. A top quality acrylic latex paint is also acceptable.
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What type of sealants are recommended for use with EIFS?
There are a number of acrylic finishes that can be used
for this purpose, including both standard acrylic and elastomeric
coatings. A top quality acrylic latex paint is also acceptable.
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What type of textures are available?
90% of the Acrylic Finish sold is Medium texture. The popularity
of this texture can be attributed to:
Additional coating thickness.
Ability to cover minor ridges or defects in the substrate.
Longer open time and workability compared to the thinner
coatings.
For the reasons above, use a medium texture finish over
Portland Cement Plaster (Stucco) substrates, particularly
in larger wall areas. The fine finish is more suitable for
small area and detail work over stucco, or on smooth planer
surfaces.
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Is flashing required with EIFS?
For the wall to resist water penetration, particularly
at transition areas such as decks or roof/wall intersections,
flashing must be installed to divert water beyond cladding
not into or behind it. Similarly, if windows are expected
to leak, sill flashing beneath them is important to divert
water away from and not into the wall assembly.
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What is the price of an EIFS Inspection?
The cost varies from home to home and is dependent upon
location, size, configuration, wall square footage, complexity
of the EIFS, and access to the structure itself. A basic
EIFS (and Stucco) inspection and report begins around $1,000.
The cost of inspecting a residence with complex design features
can exceed $1,000. Commercial inspections, due to larger
structure sizes, are usually more expensive.
The cost of our inspections are minimal especially when
compared to stripping and replacing the EIFS and wall structure
of a home which may run into tens of thousands of dollars
if moisture intrusion is ignored. Moisture damaged wood
is somewhat akin to cancer. You have to stop it from spreading,
or cut it out. The first step to stopping it is to have
a survey performed. Today!
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How much do the different systems cost? How much extra is
it for heavy duty mesh?
This is probably the most often asked question and the
most difficult to answer. The cost of the materials FOB
our plant is constant however there is such a variation
in the labor element, the site costs, location, time of
year, degree of difficulty, availability of the work force
and size of project, that it is impossible to give a reasonably
accurate unit cost estimate without this information. We
have a number of experienced applicators that can furnish
reasonable cost estimates to the design authorities, on
request, given sufficient project information. The heavy
duty mesh adds approximately $1.50/sf to the material cost
of standard EIFS.
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How do I maintain the exterior of my house?
1. Physical Damage - Patching and Small Repairs
It takes time, skill, experience, proper techniques and
the correct material to make a good repair. Both color and
texture must be blended for the area to look good.
Holes, cracks, wrinkles, and bulges should all be corrected
to prevent additional damage. Some are easy to repair and
some very difficult. Most repairs may still be slightly
visible unless the entire panel is recoated. Even then,
a badly worked patch may still be seen.
The time required to repair EIFS depends on the size and
depth of the damaged area. Most installers do not have personnel
available to repair a small area. With the expense of travel
time, etc. repairs are expensive. Many owners object to
the high cost they are charged when they can find someone
to do the repairs. Time is money. Repairs are often difficult
and expensive.
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2. Cleaning EIFS
Keeping your house or building clean is vital to curb appeal.
Whether you are trying to draw customers or clients, selling
a house or doing spring-cleaning a positive first impression
depends on a clean exterior.
EIFS, which rarely needs to be painted, must be cleaned
occasionally to maintain its like-new appearance. Each manufacturer
has cleaning instructions that should be followed to prevent
surface damage and color fading.
Various kinds of stains and discoloration can occur on
the surface. Each has its own characteristics and remedial
cleaning processes.
WARNING: Many firms use high pressure (3500psi+) to remove
stains and mildew. High pressure washing may easily damage
various surfaces including brick and concrete. Overzealous
individuals can ruin mortar joints, caulking, masonry surfaces,
paint and wood decks with a high pressure washer. High pressure
has its applications, but only when used carefully with
damage prevention in mind. There is a preferred low pressure
option for cleaning EIFS, which can accomplish the same
results without the danger of damaging the surface.
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3. Mildew
For mildew removal, use the EIFS manufacturers recommendations
or have the house professionally cleaned. Please see "WARNING"
in No. 2 above.
• Painting EIFS
Painting EIFS is normally unnecessary unless a color
change is wanted or unusually stubborn stains cannot be
removed.
EIFS buildings cannot be painted like most surfaces.
Picture framing, streaking, and flattened textures are
the results of inexperienced painters using improper or
inappropriate procedures required on EIFS. Proper painting
is not more difficult, but it is different. Don't hire
someone to learn on your project.
Some coatings will change the sheen or gloss. Most will
change the texture enough that an entire elevation must
be painted to be aesthetically acceptable.
Contact the manufacturer for advice or call a professional
in the EIFS coating business to do it correctly. Some
coatings can change the water vapor transmission characteristics
of the EIFS and trap moisture inside. Solvent-based coatings
can dissolve the EPS Insulation board and cause delamination
of the outer layers of the EIFS.
If the EIFS surface is an elastomeric or silicone based
coating, regular latex paint will not adhere properly
and peeling may result.
Although top-quality exterior acrylic latex paint is
often used on EIFS material, coatings other than those
provided by the EIFS manufacturer may void the warranty.
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Can I change the color of my stucco with your process?
Yes. You can change your stucco to almost any color. Robey,
Inc. helps you to do so with both color samples and color-matching.
We have changed the color of countless homes.
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What colors are available?
We can produce any color or shade that you desire. The
only exceptions are ultra-deep tones
and shades of color.
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Can you match colors?
Yes, we can match all colors. Several exceptions do exist.
It is extremely difficult to do so if the home or structure
is covered in old, raw cement, the surface appearance is
too consistent to match, or the surface has been painted
with glossy paints.
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Can you match textures?
Yes, Robey, Inc is extremely experienced and competent
in matching textures.
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Can you fix cracks?
Yes we can. Normally we fix cracks when we are performing
a recoating job and changing the color. Most hairline cracks
are not serious. If the structure has been previously painted,
the cracks are usually in the material that was used during
painting and not in the stucco. This has been true in most
cases that we have seen.
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What is the difference between cement stucco and dryvit?
Cement stucco is basically cement exterior plaster and
has been in use for over 8000 years. Most older homes have
cement stucco applied on them. EIFS or Dryvit product has
been around in the US for approximately 30 years. It is
a thin synthetic skin over Styrofoam. According to experts,
Dryvit was never intended for wood frame construction because
of the likelihood of trapping moisture. It is intended only
for masonry applications. One advantage of Dryvit is that
trim can be done with it. Real cement stucco is only for
the "field" or all surfaces other than trim.
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How long does a stucco job last?
Our stucco work is usually good for 15 to 20 years, depending
on environmental conditions. Some colors that do not show
dirt may have a longer life and are more maintenance-free.
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Do you guarantee your work?
Yes. We have a 1-year guarantee against stucco cracks,
breaks, peeling, flaking, bulging, blistering or stucco
falling off.
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How do you estimate work on existing stucco homes?
After receiving your call or e-mail, we will arrange a
site survey. We normally price work for repair or patching
if there are isolated areas. If the work requires extensive
patching or if the home has extensive damage, a simple repair
order is not appropriate. We will then give an estimate
based on repair and a total recoating of the entire home/
structure. On occasion, we have seen severe peeling paint
problems. In these instances, we recommend recoating the
entire home to properly fix and remedy this type of damage.
We price on a per-job basis and will never estimate what
we cannot see.
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Why do small cracks appear in my stucco finish?
As stucco cures some of the water it contains evaporates.
This causes the stucco to shrink slightly. As it shrinks,
small cracks called "check cracking" might appear.
Applying stucco finishes in hot, dry weather could contribute
to check cracking in stucco. During periods of hot dry weather
conditions, a light spray (mist) of clean water is recommended
over the stucco finish. Some check cracking in stucco is
normal.
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I have noticed slight color variations, or "blotches"
in my stucco finish. What caused this and how can I even out
the color?
Usually, spotty or "blotchy" stucco color is
a result of variations in the thickness of the cement "base
coat" beneath the stucco finish. Slightly thicker areas
can retain moisture longer. This drying pattern can cause
the slower-drying areas to appear darker. Typically, this
happens more during winter months, and on shaded surfaces.
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What is the white powdery substance I have near the base of
my stucco wall? How can I remove it?
This is probably "efflorescence," also known
as "alkali." Efflorescence or alkali consists
of salts leached from cement-based materials when exposed
to excessive, saturating moisture. It appears as a whitish
powdery "bloom" on the surface of the wall. A
wash down with white vinegar or another approved dilute
acid solution, followed by a thorough flush with clear water
will usually remove efflorescence. Taking care to direct
sprinklers, irrigation systems or other sources of water
away from stucco walls will help prevent it.
REMEMBER: always keep acids and other chemicals away from
children, and ALWAYS use the proper safety equipment - including
eye protection - when working with any hazardous substance!
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My house is several years old. How can I "freshen"
its stucco color?
Most stucco colors darken slightly over time because they
contain natural all-mineral ingredients. Unlike painted
surfaces that have only a thin layer of paint that can fade,
chip and/or peel, stucco color is "integral."
This means stucco color extends through the entire stucco
layer instead of only on the surface. Properly maintained
exterior stucco can remain attractive for many years with
only minimal changes. However, exposure to dust, dirt and
air pollution over time can slightly change its color.
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How can I change the color of my stucco? Is it ok to paint
it?
Although stucco, like other masonry surfaces, can be painted
this is neither the best nor the most economical way to
change color. Over time, paint tends to fade, chip and peel
away from stucco walls. Contact us for
options on how to best change the color of your Stucco.
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