• There have been no comparative studies done to see what percentage of conventional stucco, wood siding jobs, or brick have water intrusion issues.
• Dateline tested other homes at random. The investigator went directly to areas below openings, such as windows, and claims were made by the investigator that the EIF system had failed when moisture was discovered. The investigator did not mention if the windows were tested for water tightness. In addition, the moderator did not mention if the proper caulk joints or caulking was used, if it had been applied around the windows and doors, and if the proper thickness of EIFS was used.
• The president of EIMA (EIFS Industry Members Association), Steven Klampke, was interviewed in a cursory, fleeting amount of time in which to respond to the interviewer, and the questions he posed were presented in such as way that Mr. Klampke appeared to be in denial throughout the program. Starling emphasizes questioning the wisdom of sensational journalism such as this, and points to its seemingly misleading implications.
• Although the National Association of Home Builders' position on EIFS was correctly portrayed, Starling states that the NAHB also maintains that water intrusions may be caused by "EIFS coming in contact with dissimilar materials" and that the EIFS lamina (base and finish coats) are not the cause.

Dateline also made a statement comparing the relative similarity in the costs of wood siding, brick, and EIFS. Starling quotes the average cost of various systems in California are as follows: Wood siding (masonite) , $2.00 per sq.ft., one coat stucco at $1.66 sq. ft., three coat stucco at $2.50 sq.ft., brick at $13.00 sq. ft., and EIFS at $7.00 sq. ft..

Starling's personal opinion is that everyone has to share the blame for breakdowns in systems that are designed to operate along certain guidelines, but are corrupted in any way. They are compromised by manufacturers who lower their prices to use cheaper ingredients, and builders who may unknowingly hire subcontractors who are untrained in the proper construction and application procedures. And, as Starling shakes his head, "they all wait until there is a major problem or a lawsuit, and by then it's usually too late." You mail e-mail Steve, for whom I am indebted for his in-depth information, at star3@calweb.com.