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Exterior Stairs- Steps are inspected for uniformity
and structural integrity. Handrails are evaluated for stability, proper placement
and construction.
Exterior
Walls-
Wall coverings are inspected for physical condition, proper sealing of
penetrations and proper clearance from soil.
Trim- Eaves,
soffits, facia and moldings around the exterior are
inspected for moisture damage, evidence of ice damming and physical damage.
Chimney- The
chimney is inspected for a rain cap, cracks, a cricket where required, proper
flashing and structural integrity.
Sprinklers- Evaluation
of automatic sprinklers is limited, as it is not possible to test the time
clock during the course of inspection.
Hose
Faucets-
Faucets are inspected for signs of leakage, type and accessibility.
Gutters
& Downspouts- Gutters and downspouts are inspected for proper pitch,
debris, physical condition and splash blocks.
WHAT IS EIFS?
A Good
Idea…In Theory
An Exterior Insulation Finish
System, or "EIFS,"
is a synthetic stucco-cladding used on exterior walls in both commercial and
residential construction. EIFS uses a stucco-like polymer-based outer coating
containing a plastic resin, which makes the coating softer and more flexible
than traditional hard-coat stucco. EIFS is applied using an expanded
polystyrene (EPS) insulation board resembling Styrofoam. The EPS board is
attached directly to the substrate (typically wood, Oriented Strand Board
("OSB") or gypsum board) with adhesive or mechanical fasteners. A
cementious base coat (usually grey in color) is then toweled onto the EPS
board. Before the base coat dries, a fiberglass reinforcing mesh is worked
into it until the mesh is completely covered. A finish coat is then toweled
over the base coat. The finish coat can be colored to the homeowner's taste.
The original EIFS stucco cladding used in residential construction was
designed to be a complete water barrier system, theoretically 100%
waterproof. This "barrier EIFS"
was installed on thousands of homes in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.
So, What's the
Problem?
Unfortunately, no provision was made to drain water that may penetrate a
barrier EIFS.
In fact, manufacturers have only recently begun to market a new generation of
EIFS, which purports to solve
the problem by allowing drainage. In reality, this new "drainable
EIFS" cladding is even more difficult to install, and its effectiveness
and reliability have yet to be proven. Moreover, the new system provides
little consolation to the thousands of New Jersey homeowners whose houses, condominium units and
townhouses are clad with a barrier
EIFS.
Without the ability to drain water, moisture that penetrates the face of a
barrier EIFS gets trapped within the wall cavity. Eventually, your home
absorbs this moisture. From there, it is only a matter of time before adjoining
materials begin to decay and rot. In many cases, the home's framing also
rots, causing structural damage. In extreme cases, it is possible to pull
handfuls of rotted "wall" right off the side of an affected
structure or to tear off chunks from rotted studs with your fingers.
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