EIFS Inspection in New York City — Water Intrusion Through Stucco & Synthetic Siding
What This Inspection Covers
EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System, commonly called synthetic stucco) is a cladding system applied to many NYC buildings from the 1980s forward. When improperly installed or sealed, EIFS allows water infiltration behind the cladding that is invisible from the exterior. Our AWCI-certified inspectors use moisture probing, infrared thermal imaging, and visual inspection to assess the integrity of EIFS installations and identify water damage behind the cladding.
Who Needs This & When
EIFS inspection is recommended when: purchasing a building with EIFS or synthetic stucco cladding (moisture damage is a common pre-purchase discovery); interior mold or musty odors are present and the cause is not apparent; visible EIFS cracking, separation, or soft spots are observed; windows or doors have experienced repeated water intrusion from the exterior; or you are planning renovation work that will breach the EIFS envelope.
Inspector Credentials
Our inspectors hold the AWCI (Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry) EIFS inspection certification and have specific training in identifying EIFS installation defects and failure modes common in NYC building stock.
What You Get
Written EIFS inspection report within 48 hours. Includes: moisture probe readings at critical junctions (windows, doors, sills, penetrations), infrared thermal imaging documentation, photographic record of all findings, severity assessment, and repair/remediation recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EIFS and why does it fail?
EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is a multi-layer synthetic wall cladding that resembles stucco. It consists of an insulation board adhered to the substrate, a reinforcing mesh, and a textured finish coat. EIFS fails when water enters through improperly sealed joints at windows, doors, penetrations, or cracks in the finish coat. Unlike traditional masonry stucco, EIFS is not vapor-permeable — water that enters becomes trapped and accelerates wood rot, mold growth, and structural damage in the wall assembly.