We usually recommend a phased approach, beginning with a low-cost Basic Inspection to ensure that the scope of inspection and overall project cost is appropriate to the condition of your walls. If problem conditions are discovered during the Basic Inspection we may recommend a more detailed inspection utilizing one or more of our proprietary inspection protocols, StuccoScan® or WallScan®.
Basic Inspection
We usually recommend starting with a relatively low-cost inspection accompanied by the client. The cost for the Basic Inspection usually ranges from $500-$750 for most residential and small commercial properties.
The Basic Inspection includes primarily a visual inspection of both indoor and outdoor surfaces of exterior walls and includes a verbal report to the client as the inspection proceeds. It is intended to provide a low-cost way to find out if there are obvious defects in the stucco or visible indications of water intrusion at the indoor side of the wall. Where we find defects in the stucco on the outside we often find signs of corresponding water damage on the inside.
Detailed Inspection
If significant issues are discovered during the Basic Inspection, a Detailed Inspection is warranted. A Detailed Inspection may include any or all of the following, as appropriate:
- Detailed visual examination and probing of exterior construction details.
- Identification of likely sources of leakage at exterior walls.
- Photographic documentation of relevant conditions.
- Thermal imaging of exterior and interior sides of exterior walls using a FLIR infrared camera.
- Moisture meter testing of exterior and interior
walls using several different types of moisture meters. - Moisture probe testing. Two small holes are drilled through the stucco to allow insertion of a two-prong moisture probe at locations where water penetration into the wall sheathing or framing is suspected.