Call now - 713-249-8581

We inspect stucco to determine if and how much water gets into walls by using our state-of-the-art tools and extensive knowledge at relatively little cost to you

"Always know how your money is invested"

Costs:

Size and how many sides stucco

How many balconies/parapet walls/

cantilevers stories

Costs of mold testing combined with stucco inspection -

TESTING at time of stucco inspection; $250/includes 2 tests with next day report and test results (each additional test $75) (Clearance testing and Protocol for Remediation extra cost) Certificate for Remediation included.

Read an invasive stucco report:

Learn what stucco testing is all about

The videos below are taken at a job site to give you an idea of the process used to invasively test stucco.

The goal ? To determine if water has bypassed moisture barriers, flashing and caulking. We do this by using BOTH interor and exterior testing methods, videos below:

How we probe and repair inside after testing (many home-owners worry about this)

I

How we drill outside #1

How we drill outside #2

Stucco Repair Inspection

Expert experiened oversight
Documentation pull off/put on
Licensed

What type of stucco do you have? It is important for us to know what type of stucco you have because of the "rules" for each type of stucco. For example, "EIFS", Exterior Insulating Finish System" or "Stryo-foam" installations must use trade association or manufacturer's installation recommendations. During your inspection, we can determine for you what type of stucco you have. We are certified for EIFS system inspections.

What about stone? Cast stone is a man-made product that is installed on top of the first layer called "scratch coat". The stone is "buttered", then stuck to the wall. Sometimes it is grouted, most times not. We have found this product to leak extensively . During an inspection we will test cast stone the same way we test stucco.

Why do I need an invasive inspection?

Visual inspections, surface moisture testing and/or Infra-red imaging alone do not tell you the condition of the wood sheathing and wall framing that holds the stucco system to the wall. Stucco must be probed and tested in order to know its condition.

Two methods to test stucco are:

1. Exterior drilling - the way to know is to drill the exterior walls in STRATEGIC locations (i.e., locations that are water penetration-prone) and are not reachable from the inside* .

2. Interior probing - We probe the walls on the inside at every window that is accessible and exposed instead of drilling because of the risk of breaking the moisture barriers.

* we refrain from drilling if possible and prefer probing from the inside, however, some areas are not reachable and must be drilled from the outside. To repair, we use a specially formulated caulking that is matched in color as close as possible. Many times it is almost a perfect match!

Using a specialized moisture detector with 8" probes, we can tell both by the feel of the wood density being probed - whether or not it is deteriorated - and the moisture readings** whether rainwater has been penetrating behind the moisture barrier - we can also tell you where and why.

** It is possible to sometimes have a low moisture reading coupled with deteriorated sheathing if the wood is overly deteriorated it cannot hold moisture. (note)

Our Delmhorst BD2100 is a state-of-the-art moisture detector that we use with 8" probes to reach deep into a wall cavity that can touch the wall sheathing without harming it. We regularly send the Delmhorst to the factory to be re-calibrated in order to keep it accurate and always at peak performance.

Read my blog on invasive testing! Button at the top right of this page.

To perform invasive testing, we require the owner of the property sign our "moisture waiver" and you to sign and return our "agreement to inspect" docs.

We desire your presence at the inspection so that you can experience the findings and understand their significance.

Why won't infra-red imaging work?

Fernando is FLIR certified to understand thermal photography. He understands that stucco has no emissivity and cannot reflect temperature differences, such as moisture.

With our professional grade FLIR infra-red camera the ONLY time were we able to use it to show a builder (who refused to allow us to perform invasive) and the buyer how every window was leaking. This was due to perfect conditions we set up hours in advance. (A very high indoor temperature of 90F with low outside temperature of 30F and a fresh heavy rainfall).

Preferred Home Services

Call now - 713-249-8581

We inspect stucco to determine if and how much water gets into walls by using our state-of-the-art tools and extensive knowledge at relatively little cost to you

"Always know how your money is invested"

How we probe and repair inside after testing (many home-owners worry about this)

I

How we drill outside #1

Stucco Repair Inspection

Expert experiened oversight

Documentation pull off/put on

Licensed

Why do I need an invasive inspection?

Visual inspections, surface moisture testing and/or Infra-red imaging alone do not tell you the condition of the wood sheathing and wall framing that holds the stucco system to the wall. Stucco must be probed and tested in order to know its condition.

Two methods to test stucco are:

1. Exterior drilling - the way to know is to drill the exterior walls in STRATEGIC locations (i.e., locations that are water penetration-prone) and are not reachable from the inside* .

2. Interior probing - We probe the walls on the inside at every window that is accessible and exposed instead of drilling because of the risk of breaking the moisture barriers.

* we refrain from drilling if possible and prefer probing from the inside, however, some areas are not reachable and must be drilled from the outside. To repair, we use a specially formulated caulking that is matched in color as close as possible. Many times it is almost a perfect match!

Using a specialized moisture detector with 8" probes, we can tell both by the feel of the wood density being probed - whether or not it is deteriorated - and the moisture readings** whether rainwater has been penetrating behind the moisture barrier - we can also tell you where and why.

** It is possible to sometimes have a low moisture reading coupled with deteriorated sheathing if the wood is overly deteriorated it cannot hold moisture. (note)

Read my blog on invasive testing! Button at the top right of this page.

To perform invasive testing, we require the owner of the property sign our "moisture waiver" and you to sign and return our "agreement to inspect" docs.

We desire your presence at the inspection so that you can experience the findings and understand their significance.

Why won't infra-red imaging work?

Fernando is FLIR certified to understand thermal photography. He understands that stucco has no emissivity and cannot reflect temperature differences, such as moisture.

One of our main "rules" is that a moisture detector MUST confirm what the infra-red sees.

STUCCO CANNOT BE TESTED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING AN INFRA-RED.

Call now - 713-249-8581

We inspect stucco to determine if and how much water gets into walls by using our state-of-the-art tools and extensive knowledge at relatively little cost to you

​

"Always know how your money is invested"

​

How we probe and repair inside after testing (many home-owners worry about this)

I

How we drill outside #1

Stucco Repair Inspection

Expert experiened oversight

Documentation pull off/put on

Licensed

​

​

​

​

Why do I need an invasive inspection?

​

Visual inspections, surface moisture testing and/or Infra-red imaging alone do not tell you the condition of the wood sheathing and wall framing that holds the stucco system to the wall. Stucco must be probed and tested in order to know its condition.

​

Two methods to test stucco are:

1. Exterior drilling - the way to know is to drill the exterior walls in STRATEGIC locations (i.e., locations that are water penetration-prone) and are not reachable from the inside* .

2. Interior probing - We probe the walls on the inside at every window that is accessible and exposed instead of drilling because of the risk of breaking the moisture barriers.

​

* we refrain from drilling if possible and prefer probing from the inside, however, some areas are not reachable and must be drilled from the outside. To repair, we use a specially formulated caulking that is matched in color as close as possible. Many times it is almost a perfect match!

​

Using a specialized moisture detector with 8" probes, we can tell both by the feel of the wood density being probed - whether or not it is deteriorated - and the moisture readings** whether rainwater has been penetrating behind the moisture barrier - we can also tell you where and why.

​

** It is possible to sometimes have a low moisture reading coupled with deteriorated sheathing if the wood is overly deteriorated it cannot hold moisture. (note)

​

​

​

Read my blog on invasive testing! Button at the top right of this page.

​

To perform invasive testing, we require the owner of the property sign our "moisture waiver" and you to sign and return our "agreement to inspect" docs.

We desire your presence at the inspection so that you can experience the findings and understand their significance.

Why won't infra-red imaging work?

Fernando is FLIR certified to understand thermal photography. He understands that stucco has no emissivity and cannot reflect temperature differences, such as moisture.

​

One of our main "rules" is that a moisture detector MUST confirm what the infra-red sees.

STUCCO CANNOT BE TESTED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING AN INFRA-RED.

​

​

​

​

​

​