No, EIFS isn't a distant cousin to Snuffeluficus.... it stands for Exterior Insulation and Fisnish Systems... in other words Synthetic Stucco which has been used on the exterior of homes and evidently is causing a problem in this area.
We had a guest from HomeServices at our office meeting this week and she told how less and less insurance companies are wanting to insure homes that have EIFS.
Evidently there have been so many moisture problems here in the Greater Kansas City area that it's being brough to the forefront in the Kansas City Real Estate market.
My advice, do a GOOGLE search on EIFS. Read and educate yourself, you can also find information on how to determine whether you have a problem and what to do about it.
Knowledge is Power.
Fran White, REALTOR®
Reece and Nichols Residential
816-682-3897
www.kansascity-realestate.net
www.franwhite.reeceandnichols.com
Fran, thanks for pointing this out. I'll have to see if this is cause for concern in my area.
Sesame Street fan, I see. Me too!
This is terribly outdated information and demonstrates a lack of understanding of the current EIFS residential marketplace.
Since the International Residential Code (IRC) changed in 2000 to require a secondary weather barrier to protect the substrate (usually plywood or OSB) and a positive means of drainage, EIFS no longer are any different than other cladding types. EIFS today are all "drainable" systems that perform just like other cavity systems on the market today.
There is a difference between so-called "barrier EIFS" (the older systems sold before the building code changed) and modern drainable EIFS. I could spend hours explaining why the allegations related to barrier EIFS are just plain wrong, but that would be pointless because it is a system that is no longer used in residential construction.
Realtors who are trying to sell a home clad with barrier EIFS should contact Moisture Warranty Corporation, or a similarly respectable qualified third-party inspection firm. The odds are there is either nothing wrong with the home or it may require very minor repairs - usually just replacing faulty flashing or caulking (neither of which, incidentally, have anything to do with EIFS and are also the root cause of moisture damage in tens of thousands of non-EIFS homes as well). Those kind of repairs (flashing and caulking) need to be checked and updated regularly on homes of ALL cladding types.
The insuranmce reference is also outdated. While it is true that some insurance companies continue to have restrictions on writing EIFS policies, more and more companies are recognizing the distinction between barrier and drainable EIFS and write EIFS policies for drainable EIFS.
Phil,
My apologies if you feel the information is outdated. I just heard of it this week and more so that Insurance companies in my area aren't wanting to insure properties with EIFS.
My advice was to GOOGLE it (if you will read above) and for consumers to educate themselves on EIFS.
OR perhaps if you would identify your industry field and if you stand to be an expert on the subject you could lend your knowledge here to consumers.
I appreciate your input. Have a grand day!