Borbak Brothers Inc. Product 3

BORDAK BROTHERS INC.

DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME !* ( *with the right people )

	Myth Sealant cannot be relied upon to prevent water infiltration.
	Truth Sealant is used with all types of cladding to seal their interfaces with other wall assembly components and to seal these interfaces to prevent infiltration of water, air and dirt. Expansion joints with sealant is one of the more critical components of any building envelope, yet perhaps the least understood in the construction industry. The performance of the sealant and ultimately the water tightness of a joint is dependent on the selection and installation of the material. Improper selection or failure to install the sealant in a manner consistent with industry standards and recommendations can create non-performance. The standards for proper joint sizing, configuration, surface preparation, joint backing , priming requirements and tooling are well known to the construction industry with a virtual plethora of materials available from sealant manufacturers, consensus standards, text books trade journals and periodicals. Based upon experience in investigating, testing, and design of repairs to building envelopes with water intrusion problems, the source of water leakage and resultant damage to concealed materials many times is the result of the omission of proper expansion joints with sealant or non-performance of an improperly selected or installed sealant material or improper construction of expansion joints.
	Myth Sealant is a component of an EIFS.
	Truth Sealant is a component of a wall assembly. Sealant is not a component of an EIFS. Sealant is normally installed by the Waterproofing Trade and not the Plastering Trade. Sealant is not manufactured, sold or constructed by an EIFS manufacturer. Although general guidelines are offered by EIFS manufacturers they are specified and installed by others.
	Myth Flashing is a component of an EIFS.
	Truth Flashing is a component of a wall assembly. Flashing is not a component of an EIFS. Flashing is normally installed by the roofing contractor, window installer or builder. Although general guidelines are offered by EIFS Manufacturers they are specified and installed by others. Flashing is required by Building Code, by industry standards and good construction practice to preclude water entry into the building envelope. Building Codes state in part "Approved corrosion-resistive flashing shall be provided at top of all exterior window and door openings in such a manner as to be leak proof, except that self-flashing windows having a continuous lap of not less than 1 1/8 inches over the sheathing material around the perimeter of the opening, including corners, do not require additional flashing. Similar flashing shall be installed at the intersection of chimneys or other masonry construction with frame or stucco walls, with projecting lips on both sides under stucco copings; under and at the ends of masonry, wood or metal copings and sills; continuously above all projecting wood trim; where porches, decks or stairs attach to a wall or floor assembly of wood-framed construction; at wall and roof intersections; under built-in gutters; at junction of chimneys and roofs; in all roof valleys and around all roof openings." A properly installed and executed flashing will collect and control water by diverting it to the outside so it does not enter into the wall. Properly installed sill flashing at window openings can compensate for defective leaking windows. However, flashing should not be an excuse for allowing defective windows.
	Myth EIFS were not used in Residential Construction until the Mid 80's.
	Truth EIFS have been successfully used in residential construction since the early 70's. Several large homes were clad with EIFS in New England early in the history of the EIFS Industry. In fact one of the very first applications of EIFS was on a home in Rhode Island. For example, use of EIFS in residential construction began in the Atlanta Market in 1973 and by the mid 80's several thousand homes were clad with EIFS.
	Myth EIFS are not water resistant.
	Truth EIFS are water resistant. Water does not penetrate the field of a wall clad with a properly applied EIFS. The water resistance of EIFS has been thoroughly evaluated by testing prescribed by the Model Building Codes. Field testing and monitoring of projects supports the laboratory results. Water simply does not penetrate through the field of a properly applied EIFS.

Myth EIFS manufacturers did not indicate the use of flashing and sealant prior to 1996.

Truth EIFS manufacturers guide details and recommendations have included flashing and sealant since at least 1971.

Myth EIFS trap water.

Truth EIFS do not trap water. Water in its gaseous state will diffuse through an EIFS as well as other wall assembly components and drying will occur. Problems result when copious amounts of water are allowed to infiltrate into the wall assembly through defective windows, inadequately flashed and sealed interfaces between the EIFS and other building components. Simply put there is more water than can diffuse through the wall assembly components in a reasonable amount of time. Improper use of vapor retarders in wall assemblies exacerbate the problem by preventing diffusion of moisture through wall assembly components. Vapor retarders are used in wall construction to control water vapor flow through wall assemblies and to prevent condensation from forming within the wall assembly. Because climatic conditions and components of a wall assembly vary, the use and requirements for vapor retarders must be thoroughly evaluated. Vapor retarders or slowed vapor drive may contribute to moisture accumulation because they prevent drying. For an example, in certain parts of the country the predominate vapor flow is from the outside to the inside during most of the year. If a vapor retarder is installed on the inside face of the framing behind the drywall, moisture cannot diffuse to the inside where it can be eliminated by the HVAC system. Consequently moisture from vapor flow and leaks accumulate in the wall assembly. The result is there is more moisture in the wall assembly than can diffuse through the components to the outside during the short period of time when vapor flow reverses. Damage then occurs. Monitoring of repaired homes clearly shows that the wall will dry out when appropriate measures to eliminate water infiltration behind the EIFS are taken. This drying trend usually establishes itself within 30 days.

Myth EIFS are difficult to impossible to install correctly.

Truth EIFS are not difficult or require watch-maker skills to install. Any competent Plasterer can install EIFS materials correctly with a minimum of additional instruction. In many cases a competent Plasterer has properly installed an EIFS by simply following printed application instructions. Plasterers are not trained to design the cladding as they go. Plasterers are trained to apply the EIFS materials. They must be provided with clear details of how various interfaces and conditions are to be constructed. Many times it is said that the Plasterer did not install the EIFS in accordance with the manufacturers details. The truth of the matter is the manufacturers "details" are guidelines or "graphic representations" that are general in nature. They are not, nor are they intended to be project specific. The design professional should use these guides in developing the project design. The instructions for the application of EIFS components have not substantially changed since their inception.