EIFS
Exterior Insulation and Finish System, a multi-layer synthetic stucco cladding that has been associated with moisture intrusion when installed without drainage.
What is EIFS?
EIFS consists of foam insulation board, a base coat with reinforcing mesh, and a textured finish coat. The original barrier EIFS assemblies of the 1980s and early 1990s had no drainage plane, so any water that got behind the cladding — around a window, at a deck ledger, through a failed sealant joint — had no way out, and hidden sheathing rot became a widespread problem. Modern drainable EIFS addresses this. Because damage is concealed by design, a general home inspection cannot clear an EIFS-clad home, and inspectors typically disclaim the assembly and recommend evaluation by a moisture-testing specialist, which is usually invasive.