cristalhombre
Apr 1, 2010, 7:41 PM
Post #7 of 11
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Sparks
Heads up!
Here in the Pacific Northwest there is a TERRIBLE problem with a wall construction similar to your photo......... method called EIFS (exterior insulation finish systems). Many structures - newer construction types - have experienced catastrophic failures. If NOT sealed properly, water penetrates or sealants fail, moisture gets into the wall cavity, the foam material becomes a Petri dish for TOXIC mold growth - NOT GOOD!!!
Multi-million-dollar insurance claims, have been paid-out for "mold" infiltration that creates what is commonly known as "sick building syndrome". There have been cases where the entire structure is condemned/torn down due to the extent of the mold growth.
Last summer we watched the "deconstruction" of the Collins Lake Resort, below our cabin on Mount Hood. A 2 year old condo project (typical condo - cheesy construction) that was poorly built, experienced a couple of brutal NW winters, including 80" of snow (located at the base of the Timberline Ski area). After record lawsuit (largest residential construction claim in Oregon history) was over.........Traveler's + Fireman's Fund insurance paid out $24 million dollars to essentially tear the 3 year old structures apart (families had to move out for 3 months) to completely re-skin the buildings (removing all wall materials including, sheathing, insulation, sheet-rock) and install new roofs etc.
The debris had to be contained and removed to a special toxic dump site. All the workers in Tyvex bunny suits + respirators (it looked like a sci-fi movie). Carpet and bedding and any absorbent materials - had to be destroyed. Very spooky! Condos (most are weekend ski condos) originally sold for $500K and now most are empty! I understand you can buy one cheap now!
Illness (mostly respiratory) from mold spores can be fatal. nasty stuff.
Having said this....... the building envelope contractors with HIGH quality standards - that DO NOT cut corners, can do this type of work successfully. I rather doubt that you would experience that level of experienced installers with this type of construction in Mexico. Just my assumption - not knocking the work force. The EIFS installation process requires a "text book" installation procedure - KNOWLEDGE + EXPERIENCE are mandatory!
When I resealed a roof in Ajijic on a 25 year old casa - I was stunned at how poorly the various contractors described the process they would use. One guy was going to use plastic sheeting under the tiles, as the water barrier???? Finally got a team that knew what they were doing, which included the Fester rep from Guadalajara.
You might contact Fester in Guadalajara for technical assistance. They are very helpful.
If you did experience a leak in the roof membrane............... rain and heat would give the perfect opportunity for mold growth.
Unfortunately "mold" is an insidious perpetrator. Be careful. VERY CAREFUL!!!
"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."
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