Stucco can be an attractive and weather resistant wall covering if applied and maintained correctly. A wealth of problems can result if the stucco is damaged or incorrectly sealed. Trapped moisture can collect in the cavities of framing or exterior walls and lead to structural damage. Mold can grow and eat away at load bearing studs and even infest a structure. Walls could buckle due to the damage caused by moisture intrusion.
When applied correctly and maintained stucco can be an attractive and weather resistant wall covering. Damaged or incorrectly sealed stucco can cause many problems. Structural damage, including the buckling of walls can be the result of moisture collecting in the cavities of framing or exterior walls. Trapped moisture encourages the growth of mold that can eat away at load bearing studs and also infect the interior of a structure.
In the early 2000s buildings were going up in record time as builders rushed to take advantage of the building boom. Eager to fulfill deadlines and move onto the next structure some builders took shortcuts. Improperly applied and improperly sealed stucco was one result of these shortcuts. The shortcuts taken back then are being dealt with today in the Augusta and Aiken areas as these problems are being discovered.
Dark streaks where mold is growing is one possible sign of moisture intrusion. Attempts to powerwash these stains may force more moisture behind already damaged walls. Painting over these stains in an attempt to ignore the problem could lead to disaster. Having a structure inspected prior to completing the purchase could save thousands of dollars in costly repairs.
Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) are continuous insulation — multi-layered exterior wall systems that are used in commercial and industrial buildings. EIFS was introduced in the US in the 1960s and was first used on commercial buildings. EIFS is a non load bearing, exterior wall cladding system that consists of an insulation board attached either adhesively or mechanically.
Why EFIS problems occur
“EFIS” systems are vulnerable to damage due to the combination of a thin stucco coating and soft base of materials which makes it possible for impacts and cracks to occur on surfaces . These cracks in the face of the materials allow water and moisture to seep behind the surface. Water and moisture become trapped between the sheathing and the Styrofoam portion of the finished system. Over time the moisture leads to mold and rot damage along the exterior envelope of facilities. We highly recommended getting a thermal imaging inspection performed by a specialized imaging contractor. This type of material is prevalent in and around the CSRA area for both commercial and industrial applications.
