What is wrong with Drivit?

In a word. Nothing and everything. It really depends on who you talk to. First of all, drivit, was a brand name of a certain type of exterior finish system. The correct term is called Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS). There was a problem with some types of (EIFS) systems. It was originally thought that if water could not get into the system, there would not be any need to let the water out. Therefore trapped water could not leave the system and significant rot problems were noted. These problems were worsened with poor installations and maintenance. The new water management EIFS systems utilize the same techniques that the old cement stucco craftsmen used, however, better water membranes and flashings are available today. If you install a new water managed drainable EIFS system on your new home according to the manufacturer's specifications, you should have little or no water problems.

Developed in Europe in the 1950’s, EIFS were introduced in the U.S. almost 30 years ago. They were first used on commercial buildings, and later, on homes. Today, EIFS account for nearly 30% of the U.S. commercial exterior wall market. See figure 2 for the components of EIFS.
So what can EIFS do for me? First is energy efficiency. If you’ve ever felt the comfort of being wrapped in a warm blanket on a cold night, you have some idea of what EIFS can do for a home. EIFS literally wrap the exterior in an energy-efficient thermal blanket. By insulating outside the structure, EIFS reduce air infiltration, stabilize the interior environment and reduce energy consumption. By contrast, traditional “between-the-studs” insulation, no matter how thick, leaves “thermal breaks” or gaps where heat and cold pass more freely between the outdoors and the space within, at studs, wall outlets, wall joints, and elsewhere. EIFS can reduce air infiltration by as much as 55% compared to standard brick or wood construction. Since walls are one of the greatest areas of heat loss in a house, improvement in the wall insulation can be very meaningful in terms of energy conservation. Another point to keep in mind on new construction: due to the energy efficiency of EIFS, it may be possible to specify lower-capacity heating and air conditioning equipment without sacrificing anything in terms of interior comfort. Design flexibility is another advantage of EIFS. Skilled applicators can create all sorts of exterior architectural detailing that would be cost-prohibitive with conventional building materials. If you do choose a new drainable system, keep proof of it for resale. Buyers will want to know