General Cleaning

E.I.F.S. finishes are designed to maximize resistance to dirt pickup, however, the fact is that all building exteriors eventually get dirty.  The best and safest way to clean your building is a liquid spray used at the lowest pressure possible to remove the surface soils.  Since repeated high pressure cleaning can be harmful to the surface integrity of the finish, we strongly recommend calling a professional.  A clean building is also the best way to make your building attractive.

Replacing Sealant Around Openings

Maintaining a weather tight seal around all openings in the exterior of the structure is an important element of building performance.  All materials, including sealant, have a useful lifespan and will wear with age.  Cracked or dried out sealant must be replaced in a timely manner to ensure that water does not enter the building envelope and cause damage.  Sealants are a frequent culprit for moisture intrusion and the resulting damage that can occur.  We recommend you have the sealants inspected annually.

Repainting - Recoating

We recommend your exterior finish be inspected annually for evidence of cracks (often caused by natural building settlement), holes or penetrations in the finish or any other deficiencies that may be evident.

Any compromise of the exterior envelope can result in moisture intrusion.  Ongoing moisture intrusion can lead to other more serious problems.  It is important that any compromise of the building envelope be repaired as soon as possible to minimize potential damage to the structure.

Before repainting, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt and mildew.

What to Look For

It is important to visually inspect your building to see if any problems are developing.  Your visual inspections should, however, not replace the recommended annual inspection by a qualified professional.

 

o         Efflorescence (whitish discoloration on the finish)

o         Impact damage (holes or dents in wall, etc.)

o         Spalling or loose finish

o         Cracks in E.I.F.S. surface

o         Water leaks visible on the interior

o         Leaks through window frame

o         Loose or deteriorated sealant

o         Loose, deteriorated or leaking flashing

o         Substrate deterioration

o         Bulges, wrinkles or other conditions that may require patching

o         Framing or other structural deterioration

o         Evidence of damage due to condensation within the wall

A qualified E.I.F.S. inspector should be retained and a professional contractor experienced with E.I.F.S. product application should be hired to perform any required repairs.  Mid-Illinois Companies can provide a list of qualified E.I.F.S. inspection companies that serve the Central Illinois area.

A Good Investment

The building or home you own represents an enormous investment.  Ignoring the simple, cost-effective preventative maintenance measures outlined here is not advisable.  The small costs involved in maintaining a regular maintenance schedule, can prevent the larger costs associated with ignoring problems when they are small.

Protect your investment by calling for a professional inspection.