This is part one of a two-part article on flashings. Flashings are a very important part of an EIFS-clad wall assembly but are not an EIFS product per se. Hence, their use is a matter of general design and construction, i.e., an architectural and contracting issue, and not an EIFS issue.
Lately, I've gotten a tremendous amount of e-mails and letters that keep asking the same basic questions, namely, what steps should be taken to do repairs and when to patch vs. resurface.
This subject came up in a conversation with a friend of mine who runs a sizable plumbing service company. This article will share the issues we discussed.
Last month, we saw how sheathing is used as a multi-purpose building material and discussed the environmental concerns-past and present-for the manufacture of two of the most widely used residential sheathing materials: plywood and OSB. This month, we'll continue the series with a look at the bigger picture, where wood-based sheathing (plywood and OSB) and the environment are concerned.
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.
I have just returned from four very hot days in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where I attended the Northwest Wall & Ceiling Bureau's Annual Convention. The NWCB's staff-Bob, Mark, Tiina and Angela-really put on a great show in terms of scheduling and production for the 613 attendees. Although they have help from the sponsors, it really comes down to their hard work to put on a great show. Those contractors in the northwest are lucky to have a bureau such as them.