I get a lot of calls people that are not actually in the construction industry but involved with buildings, such as homeowners and realtors. They are looking for basic information about how EIFS is installed. My first response is to make sure they know which EIFS producer's product they are having installed and be familiar with the manufacturer's printed instructions and code approvals.
But usually that's much more than they want and they simply want a really basic generic list of the key items to look for. Many of them ask me for something really simple that they can put in their pocket and refer to when visit the site while the house is being built. So I put this info on my Web site as a free download. It's so popular, I thought Walls & Ceilings readers would like it.
I have found that not attending to the basic EIFS installation issues listed here tends to be the source of whatever problems might occur; get these basics done right and you're most of the way headed towards a good project.
The list below is geared toward EIFS with drainage as installed on wood frame homes but the list can be applied in many ways to traditional EIFS on commercial buildings, and even retrofits and prefab panels.
The list is broken down into sections that correspond to the basic steps that take place in the sequence of installing EIFS. Note that I do not indicate who is supposed to do certain activities (such as installing caulking), as that is a contractual matter and depends on how the construction documents and contractors work together (i.e., "Who agreed to do what?")
As EIFS are proprietary products, each producer has its own requirements for each system types but the list is pretty generic in terms of requirement for most EIFS. In other words, to be sure that a specific EIFS product is being properly installed, you do need to follow the producer's and contract requirements.
This list also includes some non-EIFS wall components that make up the entire EIFS-clad wall assembly. This is important, as the wall is a system, and coordination of design and installation of adjacent wall components affects the performance of the wall and construction process.
When the words "proper" or "approved" are used in the list below, it means in relation to what the EIFS producer requires, what the drawings and specs require and what the code requires. This list does not cover safety and legal issues or how to design specific end-use details (such as "What is a proper window flashings," etc.).
Since there are many variations on how EIFS is installed, this list does not tell you exactly how a certain thing should be done (i.e., the actual way to hold a trowel, etc.) but rather alerts you to basic generic issues that need attention, from which you can then refer to drawings, specs, code approvals and producer's information for building-specific details.
The list is written as a series of questions to ask yourself as you view the installation process. In other words, is this issue being properly dealt with on this building as the EIFS is being installed? Sometimes, the answer can be pretty unnerving, such as "I believe there is supposed be foam in this system and I don't see any."
Keep this list handy. I'll bet you'll find lots of day-to-day uses for it.