The installer of the EIFS stucco system is over 2 months late in his install and wants to finish the install this week. He wants to cover the house with tarps and use propane heaters to cure the base and finish coat.<!—-><!—-> <!—->
The forecast here is high’s of 27 and lows of 12 degrees F. My arc. has had only one system installed with heaters and claims that it was a disaster, with the system completely failing after the 1st summer.<!—-><!—->
I can imagine high winds blowing through the tarps and / or knocking over a propane heater and starting a fire.<!—-> <!—->
The installer is willing to give me a 5 year guarantee, but his guarantee is as good as his willingness to show up to fix any damage (his record so far is not great). My GC is pushing to finish the job and is concerned with exposure over the winter.<!—-> <!—->
I’m leaning towards covering the exterior eps board with tar paper for the winter and finish the job in the spring. Am I being over cautious?<!—-><!—->
paul
Replies
Although we don't do EIFS any more, law suits, we have done several in the past and several more in 3 coat stucco here in the Chicago area, tented in the dead of winter. Reinforced visqueen attached to the sub fascia draped over the scaffold securely fastened at the bottom and sides. Same for winter masonry. But you do have to carefully pick your weather window. High wind and sub zero are a no no for us.
However, I've used this guy for over 10 years and I know his capabilities. I don't know if I would trust someone I didn't know.
In fact we should be starting a stucco job in Feb., if it works out I'll send pictures. We're framin now, 5 degree's the last 2 mornings and hasn't gotten over 15 for the high. Ah, contractin, ain't it great?
If the base coat is cementitious, you can't accelerate the cure by heating. What vyou will do is prematurely dry it out, which is not good. Check with the mfgrs appl;ication instructions, and see what they say about cold weather.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt