Tim,
I live in Jacksonville,Fl, Our home is Concrete block with some wood siding. I have never been satisfied with the insulation value of this exterior. I was about to use 2 or 3 inches of Styrofoam efis to the exterior of the concrete and 30lb felt to the wood area. Then I started reading your comments about Portland based stucco. Which would yield the highest insulation value?

Andrew,
Why not put a Portland-cement system over 2 inches of foam? You just have to do all of the detailing correctly.

Hi,
I am currently in the middle of purchasing a home built in 2004 with EIFS on the front. I noticed a hair line crack in the stucco. This crack runs through an outdoor light fixture. I did a home inspection and was told there is an "active" leak on the interior wall which is the same wall the crack is on in the stucco. I was told the leak would be fixed however the crack in the stucco was "cosmetic" and the owner refuses to address. After reading about EIFS I am starting to think this could be a structural defect. Please let me know what you think.

Thank you.
Gina

Gina,
It might be. Although I have strong mystic powers, I can't weigh in unless I can be there to see it. :->

What did your ASHI home inspector say??????? Read my past columns about ASHI home inspectors.

I have a 10 year old house and I am thinking of replacing our t&g siding with something more durable and that will last a long time. What kind of siding can you recommend?

Roma,
Read all of my Siding columns. I think you will discover that one that contains cement is a winner.

Hi

I am from Scotland but have recently bought a lot in Mississippi. The lot is in a flood plain and the house has to be built on a 8ft pole/pier foundation. I would like the exterior of the house to have a tinted cement stucco finish. As I am from a country who don't use this way of building I am completely ignorant with regards to problems that might occur. I wondered if there would be any movement in the house in a strong wind and would any movement cause problems with the stucco?

Hello,

We are currently in the process of negotiating to buy a 5200 sq ft house built in 1995 with synthetic stucco surrounding. We are planning to have an inspection done to check that water damage has not yet already happened. If the damage has not happened we plan to go ahead with the purchase on the condition that the seller "replace" the synthetic stucco. What are the pricing differentials between hardi planks/cement stucco and other options for a house of this description? (Basically we are trying to account for the replacement cost when making our initial offer)

Recently my friend was helping paint my trim and he rested his ladder on the Dryvit wall (synthetic stucco). It did not punch a complete hole in the wall, but left an indent about the size of a quarter. I want to fill this area in and paint over it, but I'm not sure if I can use a stucco patch. I can't seem to find any patches for dryvit (synthetic stucco). Can I even buy this product over the counter?

I have found the house of my dreams, but, it is composed of EIFS.
It is a castle like structure that is beautiful on the outside, but needy on the inside.
My current home is stucco and I love it! Very low maintence and a sturdy home.
I was very suprised to find this dream home (hollow) and confused on the inside.
Is there anyway to redeem this castle?
I saw earlier that you advised removing the EIFS before adding brick or whatever.
I really like this house(castle) it is really so cool on the outside, but I am anxious about the EIFS, It is in South Carolina, wet and hot, prime conditions for mold and other moisture problems.
Are you saying the best solution is to remove all the EIFS to add a sturdier outer layer to the home?
Are there any other solutions to secure the home?
Any advice would be appreciated.