I have a chance to bid on washing a large hotel. Problem is I never heard of what the manager said the type of siding is. She calls it Ephous,Efus or however it's spelled. She pronounces it E-Fuss. Anyway if anyone knows what it is, how to clean it and what to use to clean it I'd appreciate it.
What is this?
- Thread starter mark-b
- Start date
Justin
Member
Mark,
You'll just have to go to a small section in an area behind some shrubbs and test out some of your chemicals. I don't know what kind of siding you are talking about.
Pictures tell alot. Take a picture of the entire hotel and then a close up of the hotel and someone will help because chances are we've cleaned something similiar before.
You'll just have to go to a small section in an area behind some shrubbs and test out some of your chemicals. I don't know what kind of siding you are talking about.
Pictures tell alot. Take a picture of the entire hotel and then a close up of the hotel and someone will help because chances are we've cleaned something similiar before.
Pam & Cujo
New member
Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS) (E-fuss as it sounds) Is a synthetic exterior covering. It is also more commonly called "synthetic stucco", also generically shortened to "stucco", or called "Dryvit" (brand name).
It is about the most popular thing going for commercial exteriors and also very popular on the upscale homes one might find in a golf community or the like.
It is a skim coat of colored mortar applied with a trowel over a foam and mesh backerboard to give the apperance of a stucco finish at a significantly reduced cost.
It is (comapratively speaking) very delicate as an exterior finish and high pressure will absolutely destroy it. No doubt, no questions, no bullshit.
Click here to get some tech info on it if you like
http://www.dryvit.com/home.asp?country_id=1
It can be cleaned very effectively and safely, provided you take the precautions and use the right chems. If it is done wrong however, it will bankrupt you instantly.
It is about the most popular thing going for commercial exteriors and also very popular on the upscale homes one might find in a golf community or the like.
It is a skim coat of colored mortar applied with a trowel over a foam and mesh backerboard to give the apperance of a stucco finish at a significantly reduced cost.
It is (comapratively speaking) very delicate as an exterior finish and high pressure will absolutely destroy it. No doubt, no questions, no bullshit.
Click here to get some tech info on it if you like
http://www.dryvit.com/home.asp?country_id=1
It can be cleaned very effectively and safely, provided you take the precautions and use the right chems. If it is done wrong however, it will bankrupt you instantly.
John Orr
Member
Absolutely correct, Pam or (Cujo).
I would like to add that even if you clean EIFS correctly, you may still have problems with the customer. You must be aware of the underlying issues/lawsuits regarding EIFS. Older buildings have MANY problems with moisture condensing and/or dripping behind the siding, soaking the framing. Wet wood rots and attracts termites. Wet wood voids ALL termite warranties. (I know, 6 years as a manager for Terminix.) Newer buildings have re-designed EIFS, which is less likely to allow moisture to condense, but may still allow water to penetrate if not properly caulked.
The customer should be well aware of these issues, but if they think you are not, they may try to include you in their frantic legal battle to pay for damages - which can run into the tens of thousands and more. (Just think, removing and replacing all of the siding and framing on an existing structure!)
Something in writing wouldn't be a bad idea.
I would like to add that even if you clean EIFS correctly, you may still have problems with the customer. You must be aware of the underlying issues/lawsuits regarding EIFS. Older buildings have MANY problems with moisture condensing and/or dripping behind the siding, soaking the framing. Wet wood rots and attracts termites. Wet wood voids ALL termite warranties. (I know, 6 years as a manager for Terminix.) Newer buildings have re-designed EIFS, which is less likely to allow moisture to condense, but may still allow water to penetrate if not properly caulked.
The customer should be well aware of these issues, but if they think you are not, they may try to include you in their frantic legal battle to pay for damages - which can run into the tens of thousands and more. (Just think, removing and replacing all of the siding and framing on an existing structure!)
Something in writing wouldn't be a bad idea.
Pam & Cujo
New member
Good eye John.. I forot to mention the disclaimer.. A very good idea when dealing w/ EIFS...
Seems folks are sue happy everywhere nowadays, and there's no reason to volunteer your throat to the sacrifice..
Cujo
Seems folks are sue happy everywhere nowadays, and there's no reason to volunteer your throat to the sacrifice..
Cujo
nuevopintor
New member
greatful to you for telling me about EIFUS, i had never heard of it before