eifs cracks and section loss 2

[PSUengineer1]

why did the eifs crack and experience section loss (see attached photo file)? the area of cracked/damaged eifs is above the ladder. My thought is that it cracked from expansion and contraction of the eifs. • The section loss at the EIFS is a result of age-related deterioration due to exposure to the elements and/or deficiencies in the EIFS installation. Your thoughts?
Thanks.

 

[BAretired]

Where's the photo? What the heck is EIFS? Exterior Insulation and Finish System?

BA

 

[Ron]

Post the photo. Many reasons for EIFS cracking. Let us know the substrate, the system (usually proprietary like DriVit or STO) and when installed.

 

[PSUengineer1]

Photo file now attached. The EIFS is dryvit system. Installed in 2002. Acrylic finish coat+cementitious/acrylic base coat + mesh + Styrofoam (unknown thickness) over OSB and wood studs. This is a barrier EIFS system (no drainage plane).

The damage in photos 1 and 2 is consistent with age-related deterioration and installation deficiencies (too thin of a coat of finish coat and a lack of a drainage plane for water that penetrates the EIFS). I also think the mesh should not be exposed like that. It should be sandwiched into the base coat. Would you agree?

Photos 3 and show a vertical crack near the corner (above the ladder, zoom in on photo 4 to see it). is this cracking due to thermal expansion/contraction? And what about the section loss near this hairline crack shown in photo 5?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Ron]

First of all....barrier systems don't work!

Once the first crack in the coating appears, the barrier is gone. Water intrusion then gets to the substrate and causes all sorts of movement, exacerbating the cracking, which then leads to more water intrusion and more movement!

If built in 2002, it is a code violation as well, assuming you are under the IBC/IRC or one of its state derivative codes, since there is no water resistive barrier.

You also have delamination of the lamina. The small coin sized defects are from lack of bond between the base coat and the scrim. That is more evident in the feature band below the window.

Your cracking issues are not thermal. They are movement of the substrate due to wetting and drying from water intrusion.