Inspections
Moisture Assessments
Why are Stucco Inspections Necessary?
If not inspected, there may be way more problems in a stucco home than one could ever imagine. Though stucco is a very good, and aesthetically pleasing product, many home builders and their contractors are ill-informed as to the correct methods of stucco application and how to install stucco up to code. Without proper installation and protection from moisture, stucco (being a pourus material) will suck in all the water that it can. This can and will cause major damage to the substrate behind the stucco, (OSB plywood usually) and could lead to very costly repairs, in the long run. Our best advice, “Get a stucco inspection BEFORE you buy a stucco home.”
Visual Vs. Invasive Inspection
Stucco Check Inspections does offer the option of performing either a Visual or Invasive inspection. What is the differnece between the two? Well, the name itself says it all. Our Invasive inspection is much more in depth, and is explained further in the next section. Our Visual inspection involves our professioanlly trained inspectors doing a walk through with the client to give a diagnosis on the condition of the stucco home based on their visual observation. Visual inspections will give you an idea of the possible damage you might or might not have in your home, however, it is suggested to have a full, Invasive inspection to get a complete and thorough diagnosis.
Invasive Inspections
Our Invasive inspection WILL give you the answers and knowledge you need to know about your stucco home. Before being able to come conduct an Invasive inspection, however, we have some release forms that need to be signed. Upon approval from the client and home owner, we are able to start the inspection.
First, we make a visual observation of the entire building envelope and record any and all anomalies in the stucco system. We then conduct an invasive test at areas that we usually find that are prone to moisture intrusion and/or damage. This test consists of “probing” the stucco areas in question. The probing consists of drilling 2 tandem holes (appx. 1/8th), per probe and inserting a Delmhorst™ BD 2100 moisture meter. By using our moisture meter, we will determine the amount of moisture content, if any, to the substrate behind the stucco, as well as the degree of substrate deterioration. Each hole made to the stucco will be filled, and will be virtually unnoticeable. The analysis takes, on average, 2 to 3 hours to complete.
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Inspection Report
Upon completion of the Stucco Check Inspection, clients will receive a fully illustrated inspection report. The report will contain all the tools necessary for the client to make an educated descision about the stucco home in question. Each probe made will be documented on the report, with picture, location of the probe, and moisture percentage of the probe. The report will also contain a repair recommendations page giving a good prescription of how to move forward to get the home up to code.
Check out a sample report, here:
Provide Necessary Remedies
Removing moisture sources also involve structure issues, such as keeping paint or wood safe. Once the problem and sources are determined, you can choose from a variety of remedies that will keep your building up to code. Upon receiving a Stucco Check Inspection report, clients will recieve an estimate for necessary repairs from our sister, stucco repair company, Monolite Stucco Systems.