Does Home Insurance Cover Eifs Repair?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A great deal of insurance coverage disputes arose over the years due to the

tendency of EIFS to trap water behind a building’s walls

. As a result, many insurers implemented an EIFS exclusion in commercial general liability policies barring coverage for property damage that results when EIFS is used in construction.

What does stucco remediation mean?

On the other hand, stucco remediation is

the act of completely tearing down your old stucco siding to fix the underlying defect that caused the damage it sustained in the first place and then replacing the old siding with modern materials

.

How long does a stucco exterior last?

Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of

50-80 years or more

. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water.

Why does my stucco have hairline cracks?

Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, including wrong mix proportions, insufficient mixing, poor workmanship, seismic movement and seasonal changes, two leading causes of cracks in stucco are the

house settling process and shrinkage-induced stresses

, which typically occur during the drying period.

How do you fix a leaky stucco?

  1. Clean the crack to remove any loose debris with a flathead screwdriver and a toothbrush.
  2. Squeeze caulk into a paper cup and stir some clean sand into the caulk to give it a rougher texture. …
  3. Fill the crack with a putty knife and allow it to cure for the time specified on the packaging.

How do I fix my EIFS?

What is better EIFS or stucco?

The fiberglass layer provides more durability, even against hard blows from weather.

EIFS is notably lighter than traditional stucco

, however. It is 80-percent less heavy than stucco, but it has a higher R-value, coming in between 4 and 5.6, which is notably higher than the 0.20 R-value of regular stucco.

Is EIFS stucco still used?

Yet today,

EIFS are still around

. About 100 million square feet of EIFS went on new and remodeled homes last year, rivaling any other siding material.

When should stucco be repaired?

So, if you’ve seen cracks in your stucco, when should you repair them? The answer simply is,

as soon as possible

. Even if you’ve seen a small crack appear, you should attend to it right away. It may only be small now, but before long it could spread and cause more issues down the line.

When should stucco be replaced?

The only situation in which stucco pros will really wash their hands of the job and suggest replacement is

if there is significant crumbling of the surface

. For more information about repairing or replacing stucco, contact a stucco contractor in Bluffton, SC at Spring Construction.

How much does it cost to replace stucco with vinyl siding?

Home Size Vinyl Siding ($3.50 per sq. ft) Stucco Siding ($7 per sq. ft)
1,500 sq. ft


$5,250


$10,935
2,000 sq. ft $7,000 $14,000 2,400 sq. ft $8,400 $16,800 3,000 sq. ft $10,500 $21,000

How often should you paint a stucco house in California?

Stucco should be repainted

every 5-6 years

. When painting wood surfaces, 4-7 years is appropriate.

Is stucco hard to maintain?

Stucco is more of a maintenance-free finish it does require a little attention every now and then, just like everything!

The maintenance is very minimal

though, providing that you have sound stucco walls that were applied correctly.

Should I avoid stucco homes?

Stucco that is professionally installed and well maintained can increase the resale value of your home. However, because it can retain moisture, it isn’t a popular choice in humid climates, so

if your home is in a wet climate, it can be detrimental to your home value

.

How do you repair a hairline crack in stucco?

Hairline Cracks


Use a brush to remove the dirt/algae.

Then use an Elastomeric caulking to fill the stucco crack. An Elastomeric caulking will allow the area to expand/contract easily with temperature changes without further cracks developing. Once the caulk is dry, paint the area to match your home.

Should I worry about hairline cracks in stucco?

This crack pattern is often a sign of foundation settlement. In short, hairline stucco cracks are common and can be easily repatched.

Most are not a serious indicator of foundation damage or structural disrepair

. However, hairline cracks caused by foundation settlement will likely reappear after the repair and worsen.

How do you fix hairline cracks?

Can hairline cracks in stucco cause leaks?

Note that in a Traditional hard coat stucco, most hairline cracks only penetrate the finish coat, and not through the scratch coat or brown coat, thus

they do not usually leak

.

How much does it cost to repair cracks in stucco?

Stucco Crack Repair Cost

The average cost of stucco crack repair on a 1500 SF home is

$400 to $1,500

depending on the number of cracks, their length, and their thickness. Fixing 15-medium-size cracks takes about 20 bags of stucco, which costs $200 to $300 while labor runs $50 per hour and takes 4 to 8 hours.

Can cracks in stucco cause leaks?

Now stucco cracks don’t always mean that there is damage, but

it is usually a common sign of stucco moisture problems

. Cracks and bubbles along the bottom edge of the wall — You may notice water leaking through the stucco walls and showing up along the bottom edge due to poor drainage systems.

When did builders stop using EIFS?

Future homeowners loved the look of the EIFS houses.

The recession of 1990

was the only thing that slowed down the business as the EIFS industry’s sales dropped for the first time in 1991.

How do you repair a hole in synthetic stucco?

What is the R value of EIFS?

EIFS is an adhesively attached insulating cladding system. There are no fastening penetrations to the insulating component of these systems, the expanded Polystyrene Foam. This foam has an R value of

approximately 4-per-inch of thickness at a 1-pound density

.

How long does EIFS last?

Dryvit EIFS are designed to last for the typical design life of a building. The actual longevity on any specific building will depend mainly on the building maintenance program. Some EIFS facades date back

50-60 years

.

What is the problem with EIFS?

The problems with barrier EIFS cladding all stem from water intrusion. These problems include

moisture accumulation in the wall cavity, subsequent wood damage and, in more advanced cases, mold growth and the infestation of pests such as carpenter ants or termites

.

How can you tell EIFS stucco?

The easiest way to identify synthetic stucco (EIFS) is by

touching the material with your bare hand

. When you touch the wall where the stucco is installed, it will feel like plastic. You can also knock gently on the wall. If it sounds hollow and thin, you have EIFS on your home.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.