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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 layers 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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