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The Problem With Stucco and EIFS Homes

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The Problem With Stucco and EIFS Homes

Synthetic stucco, also known as Exterior Insulating and Finish System (EIFS), is a popular choice for home exteriors due to its aesthetic appeal, design flexibility, and energy efficiency. However, EIFS homes have faced significant issues, particularly related to water accumulation and mold growth.

EIFS construction involves attaching an insulation board to the exterior wall (e.g., plywood), applying a durable, water-resistant base coat reinforced with fiberglass mesh, and finishing with a stucco-like coat.

How EIFS is applied stucco problems

Originally developed in post-WWII Germany for repairing large buildings, EIFS was introduced to U.S. commercial buildings in the 1970s and homes in the 1980s. Today, it is used in about 2% of residential structures.

In 1995, several lawsuits in North Carolina highlighted moisture intrusion problems in EIFS homes. Homeowners reported issues such as:

  • Increased indoor humidity
  • Infestations of termites, ants, and other insects
  • Mold, mildew, or fungi growth on interior walls or window frames
  • Cracking of drywall
  • Cracking, peeling, and bubbling of paint
  • Cracking on EIFS dressing bands around windows
  • Delamination (EIFS detaching from the house sheathing)
  • Rotting wood trim
  • Loss of structural integrity

Evidence suggests that once water penetrates the EIFS insulation board, it becomes trapped, leading to water retention issues. Unlike other exterior finishes like wood and brick, EIFS does not allow water to escape, creating a “non-breathable” barrier that traps moisture.

To address these problems, the EIFS industry has developed a more drainable system in recent years. This “drainable” or “water-managed” system includes a secondary moisture barrier and a drainage mat with weep holes to allow trapped water to escape.

Why is a MoistureFree Warranty Needed?

Synthetic and hardcoat stucco homes face various issues, including negative stigma and reluctance from agents to buy or sell them. A MoistureFree Warranty can mitigate these concerns by preserving the home’s value, protecting all parties in a transaction, and providing buyers with peace of mind.

What Does the MoistureFree Warranty Cover?

The warranty covers repairs related to stucco if elevated moisture levels are detected during the warranty term. It pays for modifications or repairs to ensure the affected area is dry again.

How Can I Purchase a Warranty?

  1. Inspection: A qualified moisture inspector must inspect the home following the MoistureFree Warranty Inspection Protocol.
  2. Submission: Submit the inspection report and a completed warranty application form to Moisture Warranty Corporation (MWC).
  3. Certified Repair Analysis (CRA): MWC professionals will prepare a CRA detailing necessary repairs to make the home eligible for the warranty.
  4. Verification: After completing the repairs, a second inspection verifies the repairs, and the warranty is issued.

Is the Warranty Transferable and Renewable?

Yes, the warranty is fully transferable to subsequent homeowners and can be renewed following a qualifying protocol inspection.

How Does the MoistureFree Warranty Differ from Other Programs?

The MoistureFree Warranty stands out as the only national third-party warranty without the potential conflicts of interest that come with guarantees from repair contractors. Unlike other programs, which are often backed by a single insurance policy on the contractor and not designed for multiple homes, the MoistureFree Warranty is more robust. Large claims can bankrupt other companies, leaving homeowners to cover costs themselves. Additionally, other guarantees often require you to use their inspectors and repair contractors, which can be a conflict of interest.

At MWC, you have the freedom to choose your inspector, provided they follow our inspection protocol. You also select the repair contractor, and as long as repairs meet our Repair Standards and Options, we will issue the warranty. In some states, MWC is the only warranty approved by the state’s insurance commission.

How Does a MoistureFree Warranty Affect the Sale of a Stucco Home?

Having a MoistureFree Warranty can significantly reduce the time your home is on the market, by up to 50%. It can also help retain 13% to 26% of the sales price. For a $450,000 home, this translates to $58,500 to $117,000 in home value protection at the time of sale.

Stucco Guarantee or Bond

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A stucco inspection and repair company provides a guarantee and an estimate of about $8,000 to a stucco homeowner that had his house for sale. In fine print, nearly $13,000 in additional repairs are mentioned, but represented as “only necessary if the areas are found to be moisture damaged.” The moisture inspection already showed these areas to be “soft” meaning the area had, at the least, damaged substrate wood. The open-ended contract is sold to the unsuspecting stucco customer, but the actual repair bill is over $21,000. This scam has been pulled on hundreds of unsuspecting homeowners. Stucco sellers and buyers …. Beware!

What does the MoistureFree Stucco Warranty cover?

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The warranty provides payment for repairs related to the stucco if elevated moisture levels are found during the term of the warranty. It pays to modify or repair the affected area so it can be dry again. How can I purchase a warranty? The home must be inspected by a qualified moisture inspector following the MoistureFree Warranty Inspection Protocol. The inspection report then should be submitted to Moisture Warranty Corporation (MWC) for review along with a warranty application form that has been completed by the inspector. MWC professionals will prepare a Certified Repair Analysis (CRA) on the home which details what needs to be done to the home to make it eligible for the warranty. Once these items have been completed, a second inspection is performed to verify repairs have been completed and are correct, and the warranty is issued.

Why is a MoistureFree Stucco Warranty needed?

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There are a variety of issues surrounding synthetic and hardcoat stucco homes – the negative stigma associated with stucco homes and a reluctance by agents to buy or sell stucco homes are just two. Many of the issues can be mitigated by having a MoistureFree Warranty protecting the home. A MoistureFree Warranty on the home will preserve the home’s value, protect all parties in a stucco sales transaction, and give buyers the peace of mind they need to purchase a stucco home.

Stucco Homes In Georgia

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In Georgia , there is only one moisture warranty approved by the Georgia Department of Insurance – the nationally-recognized MoistureFree Warranty. There are no stucco bonds in the State of Georgia . You may verify this for yourself by calling Joe Murphy at the Georgia Department of Insurance (404.657.9606).

MoistureFree Stucco Warranty spent months and thousands of dollars to be in compliance with the Georgia Department of Insurance. Beware of companies or individuals purporting to offer a stucco bond or a stucco warranty in the State of Georgia . There are absolutely no stucco bonds, and the only approved moisture warranty is the MoistureFree Warranty.

Some contractors will tell you they are offering a “bond” or a “warranty” when in reality they are offering a “guarantee” on their work. This guarantee is backed by the repair contractor on his work only, not the entire stucco system as is covered by the MoistureFree Stucco Warranty, and that guarantee only has the backing of the repair contractor who may not have the intent or capacity to bank it up. (Plus, why should a stucco homeowner pay a repair contractor to guarantee his work? Shouldn’t this be something he offers as part of doing the work on a home?) The MoistureFree Warranty has the solid backing from a national, financially-strong company.

Benefits Overview:

  1. Covers the entire stucco system, not just repaired areas.
  2. Backed by a division of Residential Warranty Corporation, a company with over 25 years of home warranty experience.
  3. Only national warranty program for EIFS and stucco homes.
  4. Recognized and accepted by many insurance and relocation companies.
  5. Helps the homeowner qualify and control repair costs by only requiring the necessary repairs determined by an unbiased third party.
  6. Only moisture warranty approved by the Georgia Department of Insurance.

The MoistureFree Warranty offers warranty protection of up to five years and is renewable and transferable to a new homeowner. Warranties can be renewed indefinitely upon recertification.

Protect your home with the only moisture warranty approved by the Georgia Department of Insurance the MoistureFree Warranty. Call us today at 800-400-8679.

Stucco Home Warranty Benefits

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MoistureFree Stucco Home Warranty Homeowner Benefits:

  • Fully Transferable – new owners automatically receive the benefit of any remaining warranty protection on the home, and there are no transfer fees.
  • Up to 5 Years of Warranty Protection – 1, 3, and 5-Year Warranties are available.
  • Renewable Coverage – Following re-certification, coverage can be extended up to 5 years and can be renewed indefinitely upon re-certification.
  • No Excessive Repairs Required – The MoistureFree Warranty does not require homeowners to make unnecessary repairs to their home. Our friendly staff at Moisture Warranty Corporation assist homeowners every day with understanding what modifications are necessary, and advise them on typical costs for these repairs.
  • Affordable Cost and Payment Terms – The MoistureFree Warranty offers reasonable pricing, combined with flexible payment terms, that makes it simple and affordable to get warranty protection.
  • Warranty on Repair Contractors Work – After modifications are made to a home and verified through inspection, a MoistureFree Warranty can be purchased to satisfy the homeowner about the quality of work done to repair the home. If a repair fails, thereby allowing moisture intrusion during the term of the warranty, Moisture Warranty Corporation pays to have it repaired.
  • Selling Your Home Later – If you decide to sell your home at some future point, real estate professionals can use the MoistureFree Warranty to help close the sale of a home that may otherwise have been difficult to sell.
  • Helps Protect The Home – Since the MoistureFree Warranty requires an inspection to be issued, the home may be saved from costly damage that may have gone undetected.

MoistureFree Stucco Warranty

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MoistureFree Warranty is the nation’s most trusted name in stucco home protection. Our popularity has grown nationwide as Realtors and homeowners throughout the country with stucco homes realize that having a MoistureFree Warranty is a smart solution. Over the past few years, stucco homes have been highlighted and stigmatized as being “problem homes”. In some cases the stucco is not an issue but, in many cases there are moisture related problems. The problems may have been caused by; improper building techniques, inadequate window design or improper stucco installation. Therefore, buyers, sellers and homeowners wanting a piece of mind choose a MoistureFree Home Warranty for their protection.

Across the country there is an increase of moisture problems related to residential homes. MoistureFree Warranty’s staff have over 30 years of experience in identifying & cost effectively solving moisture problems in building structures.

These experts are here to help you understand how the warranty can help your specific needs as well as guide you through the simple process to obtain a warranty. The process consists of inspecting, repairing, and protecting your stucco home (using third-party, highly-trained moisture inspectors and repair contractors). The value of this expertise to the homeowner (or Realtor) is priceless.