faux stone: Faux Stone Has Been Around A While. So why Am I Still Seeing This?
- 08/24/17 01:34 AM
Faux stone has been around a while. So why am I still seeing this?
Over the years I have had many posts about faux stone, and the improper installation thereof. When not installed well it becomes a problem. And it's not a matter of if - improper installation will eventually result in problems, and often serious problems! Water must be drained from behind the product, synthetic stucco or faux stone, and should be kept away from other materials.
Builders get upset when I point out things like this.
They say I, the home inspector, am creating problems!
I AM NOT CREATING ANY PROBLEMS!
As a home … (14 comments)
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faux stone: Do You See What I See?
- 09/21/15 08:01 PM
Do you see what I see?
This is so common it is unbelievable. Improperly finished work.
The house in the photo is new construction. It is not a cheap property.
There is an attractive curbside to the house, and an inviting front porch. All told it is a beautiful home.
The stone on the foundation walls and columns lends an air of older construction to the property.
Stone work, all kinds, has to be done professionally, with experienced installers, using tried and true techniques, or it will not last.
The most common reason it does not last is water. Water invites structural issues behind the stone, along … (16 comments)
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faux stone: My Clients Were Told The Faux Stone Was Finished
- 12/09/14 08:11 PM
This is not unusual - my clients were told the faux stone was finished.
This gap was present all around and all along the front porch.
The front porch is 20' long.
Faux stone comes with VERY SPECIFIC installation requirements.
And the requirements come with extensive diagrams, and funny terms like -
layered resistive barrier
bracelets
holding brackets
weep screeds
backer rods
bedding seal
alternating return
Literally, diagram after diagram after diagram. Looking at just the gaps here I can tell you that this job incorporates very little of what you would see on a diagram. Therefore, it is not a properly-applied faux stone.
But just the gap … (10 comments)
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faux stone: What Is The Insulation Value (AKA R-Value) Of Faux Stone?
- 02/08/14 07:57 PM
That is an interesting question - what is the insulation value, AKA R-value, of faux stone?
Faux stone, or sometimes called manufactured stone, cultured stone, and veneer stone, is a composite material made from cement, polyurethanes and high-density polymers. The "stone" product manufacturers say that there are substantial differences in the materials comprising the different products in terms of thicknesses, weights and composition.
But they all claim that faux stone adds R-value ("resistance" value, an insulation measurement) to whatever it is put on top of. I read claims of adding anywhere from 3.6 to 5 additional R-value with faux stone applications. The … (52 comments)
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faux stone: Faux Stone Drainage - Going, Going, Gone!
- 06/06/13 09:27 PM
One of the most important installation criterion when installing faux stone is drainage.
When I pull up to a house with faux stone and see mortar touching window trim, or the stone extend to the soil, or the stone abutting siding, I already know it was installed incorrectly.
On my inspection reports I put links to faux stone manufacturer sites which have many diagrams showing how to properly install their stone in many, many contexts - around windows and doors, roofs, sills, corners, etc. One such diagram can be viewed here.
These manufacturers think they make a very good product, and they don't want … (16 comments)
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faux stone: There's Faux Stone. Sure There's Water Getting In, But Why?
- 05/25/13 09:40 PM
While doing a one year warranty inspection I noticed stressed paint on the edge of a window. There's faux stone. Sure there's water getting in, but why?
Anytime you see the dripping, folded paint it indicates moisture leaking.
And it had not rained in three days but the moisture meter still registered >30%, indicating active moisture migration.
This is a problem!
But there is more!
And it concerned me greatly.
Looking at the window from the side I saw something that really bothered me.
But it's hard to capture with a photo.
The window is bulging inward!
This is a wide … (24 comments)
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faux stone: Faux Stone Might Become The New EIFS - 2
- 03/29/12 07:47 PM
Faux stone may become the new EIFS - 2*. This is a follow-up to a previous post.
When I see a house with faux or cultured stone installed, I look around and point things out to the buyers.
On my inspection report, I include language which looks something like this:
" Faux stone siding is found on this house and cannot be viewed except from outdoors and examining the wall structure underneath for damage or rot is not possible without destructive testing. Improper faux stone installation can cause serious damage.
Specific problems noted with the visible components can include, but may … (47 comments)
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faux stone: Faux Stone Might Become The New EIFS
- 03/28/12 07:20 PM
In my opinion, faux stone might become the new EIFS*.
A year ago a couple called me with moisture problems. They had found me and my thermal camera use on line and wanted help. Their house has faux stone as much of its front siding.
Due to installation malfeasance, faux stone might become the new EIFS. Remember the problems when "synthetic stucco" (EIFS) first came out? That was due to installation misunderstanding, and literally malfeasance. Faux stone will almost certainly become the same thing in terms of moisture problems inside the home.
Based on our discussion, I did an exterior examination … (29 comments)
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faux stone: When Faux Stone Is Installed With Faux Glue - Elmer's?
- 01/18/12 10:15 PM
We all know Elmer's Glue should not be used to install most housing products, but what really happens when faux stone is installed with faux glue?
Actually faux stone is not installed with glue at all, but a mortar-based mastic. It is heavy stuff!
IT MUST BE GLUED ON CORRECTLY OR IT WILL NOT STICK!
Virtually all over this house the faux stone was coming loose.
Some of it was sagging so much, it was bulging under its own weight.
I could push on it and move it.I could pull on it and move it.
My client said, "That's really bad … (54 comments)
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faux stone: How NOT To Install Stone Veneer Siding
- 11/25/10 11:18 PM
When a large part of the exterior of a house is covered with a faux stone veneer, there are many locations each of which has its own method of protecting prior to the mortar application. There are inside and outside corners, vertical and horizontal trim members, windows and doors, etc. Suffice it to say that the stone veneer industry has done many studies and tests and has published very specific "best practices" diagrams. They are available in a variety of places on line and in classroom form, complete with workbooks and technical diagrams.
This house has a VARIETY of such locations, … (64 comments)
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faux stone: How Not To Trim A Door
- 08/13/10 06:54 AM
Whenever you see faux stone, pay very, very close attention.
There are serious do-s and don't-s!
Faux stone almost always abuts a different material. In this case it is wood brick mold door framing.
Two disparate materials will expand and contract at different rates. They absorb moisture differently. They heat and cool differently. And they react to all of that differently! That's because they are DISPARATE!
This is new construction and one of many pictures I took of a basement door and its framing. It is in a stairwell, and will never get direct sunlight. It will always be cooler and … (13 comments)
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faux stone: Holy Water or A Tale Of Two Holes
- 02/24/10 10:52 PM
A little history. Two months ago, on a pre-drywall inspection, one thing I noticed outside was a kitchen vent placed right where a stairwell guardrail would need to abut the house. Faux stone siding, the vent and the guardrail were all installed so that the result was clearly visible: a 12" gap between the end of the rail and the house. That hole was large enough for a small child to easily fit through and fall eight feet into the stairwell. This is an incorrect installation, even if a buyer does not have small children. My clients were very worried because … (13 comments)
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Faux stone has been around a while. So why am I still seeing this?
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