Replies

1. 
   RW | Jan 10, 2003 02:22am | #1

   I wouldn't be optimistic that the seller would be willing to correct. Depending on who advises them as to correction, they could end up taking it all off, and that would get expensive in a hurry. Assume you are aware of some of the problems encountered with EIFS nationwide, and lawsuit after lawsuit regarding the product. Last I heard, the mfr still contended that all problems were the fault of installers, not the product. If not, try a google search. IMHO, I'd walk. The one time I got to see EIFS at work was on an $8M class building on a campus. Little old me voiced a concern early on to the effect of "are thy nuts?" when I saw they intended to use EIFS. Was told shut up and color. Within months of installation, the EIFS split all over. Within the end of the first year there was visible water damage inside the new building. That's been my sole perspective since. Believe a search and more investigation might lead you to your own conclusions, one way or another.

   " The State, in choosing men to serve it, takes no notice of their opinions. If they be willing faithfully to serve it, that satisfies." - Oliver Cromwell

2. 
   jayri | Jan 11, 2003 12:42pm | #2

   Has getting insurance on the property been an issue yet.  I knew a guy who could not sell his house with similiar problems because nobody who was going to buy it could get insurance on the house.  Seems the insurance companies knew that they would probably have to pay to have it fixed in the future under a claim.  You may want to check into this.

   Jay.

1. 
   carol | Jan 11, 2003 11:04pm | #6

   Thanks for bringing up the insurance issue; no we haven't gotten that far yet but are about to walk bec. of all the negative feedback we've been getting re. EIFS

3. 
   stonefever | Jan 11, 2003 08:54pm | #3

   Are you in my back yard?

   I just bought mine this past June in Littleton.  My inspector noticed a stain on the "stucco" and suggested something was going on there.  So I put on the subsequent notice of deficiency that we suspected something, perhaps a gutter leak, and we wanted it repaired.  So he sends out a roofer who caulked up the suspected area.  We continue with the buy.

   So now when the rains came in October (first since we moved in), a stain appears on the carpeting on the inside of that gutter.  We dig in and find the gutter was installed prior to the house being EIFS'ed.  The plasterer simply plastered around the gutter since it was installed excessively tight between two walls.  Water had been infiltrating the siding for the past 7 years.  Funny, there were no other visible signs.  But I suspect the previous owners had knowledge of the problem.

   Now I'm trying to get them to pick up the $10,000 I spent repairing the problem.  I'm confident that they will, but not for a couple of years.

   IF I would have had the knowledge you now have, it becomes a decision between how much you like the house vs how much you hate getting into such a mess.

   If you like the house, the price has to reflect the costs of repair.  If your agreed upon price does not do that, then INSIST on the cost of the repair (you'll have to get it estimated - on the high side) being escrowed with the title company.  Then when you move in, take your time to find a qualified and dependable crew to do the repair to your satisfaction and have the title company pay the bills as received.  You'll get a much more dependable result.

   If this sounds like too much hassle or they won't agree to the escrow, walk.  There's tons of other similarly priced homes, perhaps with better features.  It's a buyers market in that price range.

   
   

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   Edited 1/11/2003 12:57:48 PM ET by stonefever

1. 
   carol | Jan 11, 2003 11:01pm | #5

   Thanks for your reply; the house that we're looking at, actually have a sales agreement , but with a caveat that we can walk bec. of home inspection not being satisfactory, is just outside Boulder city limits-in the county is the local parlance!  Although we really like the house and the VIEW, we have gotten so much negative feedback re EIFS that we're pretty close to deciding to walk.

1. 
   stonefever | Jan 11, 2003 11:10pm | #7

   Now is when you put that escrow issue in effect.  Get a couple of estimates quick so you know how much to escrow at closing.

4. 
   roofdoc | Jan 11, 2003 09:30pm | #4

   I am roofer from michigan and have run into drvit installation in both commecial and residential applications have seen problems with it .I convinced one building manger to use the right board only one time. One of the largest problems I have seen is that EPS used as insulation and form board is the biggest sponge around it will hold water for weeks and when the conditions are write release it I have found 1 inch thick 4x8 sheets so water saturated that weighed 50 lbs.I also visted one home where the birds had started to make hole and nest right in the side of walls ,so your question was?

5. 
   jocobe | Jan 12, 2003 04:19am | #8

   I'm a contractor in Maryland and just this week received a notice from my insurance company.  Nationwide sent me a Notice of Reduction in Coverage.......Exterior Insulation Finish System Exclusion Endorsement.  Basically, I will not be covered for any work having anything to do with an EIFS system.  I've heard too many nightmares with this stuff...................I'd walk.

   John