General Exterior Wall Cladding Substrate Requirements
Objective Initial Review: Applies to Exterior Wall Cladding Systems; PB, PM, PI, MD, DA, HCS.
- Recognize acceptable substrates for EIFS, and general conditions.
- Assess substrates for proper installation and attachment.
- Identify whether the attachment method or adhesive is of the type and
method approved by the system manufacturer. - Inspect the substrate to confirm that it:
- Is of a type approved by the manufacturer.
- Is sound – showing no signs of deterioration.
- Is correctly oriented to the framing.
- Is correctly and tightly fastened and is dry.
- Is free of any crumbling or looseness of surface.
- Has no gaps or voids other than what is necessary for proper installation. Wood based sheathings require a l/8″ (3mm) gap between adjacent panels.
- Has no projections or planar irregularities greater than l/4″ (6mm) in a four-foot (l.2m) radius.
Is clean of any foreign materials such as oil, dust, dirt, form release agents, paints, wax, water, frost or any other material or condition which may affect the ability of the adhesive to form a bond with the substrate.
General Guidelines for Attachment by Substrate – Type PB System
| Substrates Category | Substrate | Adhesive Fastening | Mechanical Fasteners |
| Masonry/Concrete Types of Substrates | CMU (Concrete Masonry Units | Yes, if Raw * | Yes |
| Cast-in-Place Concrete & Pre-Cast Concrete | Yes, if Raw * | Yes | |
| Brick or Stone | Yes if Raw and Clean * | Yes | |
| Sheathed Substrates
Non-Moisture Sensitive |
Cement Board | Yes | Yes ** |
| Siliconized Core Gypsum Sheathing | Yes | Yes ** | |
| Sheathed Substrate Moisture Sensitive | Exterior Gypsum Sheathing | Yes | Yes ** |
| Wood Based Sheathing | Yes | Yes *** | |
| Metal Panels | No | Yes. |
* Cementitious only recommend on raw unpainted and unsealed substrates. If painted or sealed adhesion tests required or go to mechanical fastening
** Mechanical fasteners must be installed into the studs.
*** Mechanical fasteners may be into screwable sheathing
Type PB Adhesives Application:
Inspection Considerations of Substrate
Before Beginning the Installation:
If there are any discrepancies because of your initial inspection of the substrate, do not proceed with the application until all unsatisfactory conditions are corrected. The general contractor and applicator should be advised of all discrepancies so that appropriate action can be taken. Failure to advise the general contractor and applicator of unsatisfactory conditions before application begins might be construed as acceptance of the substrate for the purpose of installing the system.
At this time, it may also be appropriate to once again review the contract documents to ensure that the installation will be consistent with what has been detailed and specified or as to what is recommended/required by the system manufacturer. It is certainly easier for all parties concerned if problems be addressed “up front” rather than when they present themselves in the installation process.