QUALITY ASSURANCE AND FORENSIC TESTING AGENCY
Where does water enter into a building?
WINDOWS / DOORS - Poor installation or aging seals
STUCCO WALLS - compromised waterproofing
ROOFS - Multiple failure points
Decks / balconies - compromised Membranes
Just Some of the Testing We Provide
INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY
AAMA 501.2 WAND TESTING
ASTM E1105/331 TESTING
RAIN LEAK FORENSIC TESTING
Additional tests we administer
- ASTM E1105 Field determination of water penetration of installed exterior windows, skylights, doors and curtain walls
- ASTM E783 Field measurement of air leakage through installed exterior windows and doors
- ASTM D5957 Flood testing horizontal waterproofing installations
- ASTM F1869 Measuring moisture vapor emission rate of concrete subfloor
- ASTM E331 Water penetration of exterior windows, skylights, doors, and curtain walls by uniform static air pressure
- ASTM C1153 Location of wet insulation in roofing systems using infrared imaging
- AAMA 501.2 Quality assurance and diagnostic water leakage field check of installed curtain walls, and sloped glazing
- ASTM E547 Water penetration of exterior windows, skylights, doors, and curtain walls by cyclic static air pressure
- ASTM E2128 Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls1
- ASTM D7053 Determining and evaluating causes of water leakage of low sloped roofs
- ASTM D7954 Moisture surveying of roofing and waterproofing systems using nondestructive electrical impedance scanners
Deck leak testing
We offer comprehensive testing for deck leaks, stair cases, and balconies.
It takes 32 hours using a water house, to effectively cover the same area our equipment covers in 30 minutes. BLD Testing Agency
Our Coverage Area | Western United States
ARIZONA
Phoenix, Mesa, Flagstaff, Scottsdale, Tempe, More...CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Fransisco, Malibu, Orange County, Ventura County, More...NEVADA
Las Vegas, Henderson, Reno, North Las Vegas, Sparks, More...UTAH
Salt Lake City, St. George, Provo, West Jordan, Orem, More...COLORADO
Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Fort Collins, and Lakewood, More...IDAHO
Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, Twin Falls, More...
Flat Roof Inspections For Roof Leaks In Multiple US States
Contact Us For Water Intrusion Testing
BUSINESS HOURS
Monday Through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pmAVERAGE RESPONSE TIME
2 HOURS OR LESSSCIENTIFIC TESTING
No Water Hose Tests... No Guesswork... Real Results
Water intrusion in homes, especially in areas like Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, can be a significant issue. Factors such as heavy rainfall, aging infrastructure, or improper sealing can lead to leaks and damage. Proper maintenance, regular inspections, and addressing any vulnerabilities can help prevent water intrusion problems. But, if you're already experiencing such moisture intrusion issues, you may need help locating them for proper repair.
We Are The #1 Testing Agency for Windows, Doors, Flat Roofs and Building Walls.
Important Info
Identifying water leaks early is crucial to preventing extensive damage to your home
So many of our past clients which choose to call us for water leak detection here in Los Angeles, Nevada, Arizona and other western states typically knew about their rain leak for months and sometimes years before doing something about it. Identifying water intrusion early is so very important. For the many who chose to wait to have their water leak investigated by a professional, were subject to extensive repairs due to the significant hidden damage discovered.
It's extremely important to have a professional rain leak specialists inspect your issues just as soon as you are aware that an issue exists. Professional water intrusion specialists carry a toolbox full of tools that no other specialists possess. Items like moisture meters, infrared cameras, spray rack systems, and spray wands. Furthermore, these experts will perform their investigation to a very strict standard which applies to your condition.
How do I find a rain water leak in my house?
- Look for stains on walls, under or on the sides of windows, ceilings, around exterior penetrations such as skylines and chimneys.
- Water leaking inside holes with drywall will usually be followed by bubbling drywall paper and stains
- Leaks on wood will stain either by darkening the wood or by the wood becoming lighter
- Pooling water will generally be obvious when the leaking is within a lower wall, window, or door
- You can use tools such as moisture meters or infrared cameras to see water inside a wall covering material
FREE WATER INTRUSION INSPECTION
Thats right, our inspections of water intruison caused by rain leaks or testing of all types is free
Call usImportant Info
5 things you need to know about rain leaks and water intrusion in your home
Not all rain leaks leak immediately.
Take it from a professional testing agency. Rain Leaks almost NEVER leak immediately. Despite what you might think as true... the majority of all leaks we encounter take anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes to leak.
You should never try to test for water intrusion with a water hose.
So the difference between testing a water leak with a water hose and a calibrated spray rack system is significant. Water pressure from a hose is about 8 times more strong than that of a calibrated water spray system. So in effect, an untrained individual can actually force a system to leak that may not have otherwise leaked by using a water hose.
Best water intrusion expert Los Angeles, Arizona, Nevada and Utah
There are a lot of unqualified posers in this industry who claim to be water intrusion specialists but in reality, are just there to try to sell you their repair service. You need to hire a professional company like Building Leak Detection Company.
Emergency water intrusion services
Our service area includes California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Washington, and surrounding western states. Our company possess the ability to react quickly and mobilize at a moments notice for special circumstances regarding water intrusion into your home or building.
Our Topic, Rain Leaking into a home or office in your state. We will cover a list of issues such as;
- What causes leaks into your home?
- How to fix leaking from rain into your home?
- Who can you call to make rain leak repairs in Nevada, California, Arizona or other western states?
- How can you test for rain leaks in my home?
Important Info
Are you experiencing rain leaking into your home? Look no further, we have you covered
If you're experiencing rain leaking into your home? Rain Leaks are not only an inconvenience, it can create significant damage to your building structure and thats including Mold contamination. Additionally, rain leaking into your home is typically the result of one of a few different issues listed below;
- Window Rain Leaks : Window leaks can come from poor installation or window damage
- Door Leaks in the Rain: Door leaks occur when the doors waterproofing
- Flat Deck Leaks: Flat Decks can leak from deteriorated waterproofing for example
- Wall Rain Leaks: Stucco wall leaks occur mostly when the outer waterproofing is compromised
- Roof Leaks: Roof leaks can come from a multitude of locations and reasons for leaks
The cost of rain leak detection anywhere in the western United States is $1200-$2200 per day for leak investigation. Builidng Leak Detection
When rain leaks into a home, the rain can affect the many different systems in a typical home with a multitude of outcomes no matter what state you are in. It's difficult for the typical untrained building owner, contractor or resident to understand where the water may be entering into the house or building without formal training. Building Leak detection are water intrusion specialists when it comes to water leaking into the home.
Most common places to have a water leak in your home or building?
Important Info
Where do you start once you discover a rain leak?
Once you have discovered you have a rain leak... usually from the water dripping on your head, you will want to begin the necessary steps to not just find the leak but make improvements. Okay, so where do you start once you know your place is leaking during rain?
- For starters, you will want to contact a professional water intrusion expert in Los Angeles who needs to establish the origin(s) of the leak
- Second, once the leaking location has been established, we need to begin a testing protocol and the standard too be applied
- Third, after the testing protocol has been reached and agreed upon, the water intrusion testing will begin
- Upon completion of the water intrusion testing, the tester, a water intrusion specialists will generate a written report of the findings for the owner
Residential rain leak detection Services
Important Info
Steps to Take Once You Discover Your Rain Leak?
For those of you experiencing a rain leak it's obviously a terrible experience. Even though here in Los Angeles, it rarely rains, still, even small amounts of rain can cause these leaks. Even the newest of homes and buildings leak. It's just the way it is in construction these days. But fear not... there are individuals who can assist you in fixing your rain leak issue local here in Southern California.
- The first step is to cover the area as best you can to prevent further water intrusion.
- The second thing to do is to clear out the area under the leak to prevent any damage to valuables
- Next step, if the drywall and flooring are wet, you will want to dry them out. We do this with a fan, a mop and or heating elements or dehumidifiers
- The final step is to call a Rain Leak Specialist and Consultant like Building Leak Detection to perform an infrared scan of the area to localize the area. That way you can begin the repair process
So what do you do once you have gone through all the testing?
Your professional tester will generate a report. In the report the water intrusion tester will document the leaks and where they derive.
Important Info
Who Do You Call To Have Your Rain Leak Repaired?
Most water intrusion testing agencies wont make any recommendations as to who can perform repairs based on their findings. Why is this? Is because the testing agencies in Los Angeles are supposed to be a disinterested neutral third party. That is, not to make any judgments or direct the owner to any one specific company to perform repairs.
Water Intrusion Testing In Los Angeles
Rain Leaks
Listed here are a few rain leak tests we use to locate rain leaks or simply to test new building systems
With rain leaking within your home or in buildings. In reality, there really are only a limited number of options that you the home owner or business owner have to locate leaks from rain or just water intrusion. There are standard tests which are not performed with a water hose but rather a calibrated spray rack system. The spray rack system is designed to replicate typical rainfall. Only a true professional can locate rain leaks in a home or building.
- ASTM E1105
- ASTM E2128
- ASTM E783
- AAMA 501.2
- Infrared Thermography for Leak Investigation
Home owners should know that these tests are all designed to procure leaks within different systems of the building such as windows, doors, walls, roofs, or decks. Each of these rain leak test is performed differently when applied to a home or building but still under strict guidelines set forth by the ASTM or the AAMA associations. It's important to understand that using a water hose as opposed to using a calibrated spray rack can in some cases create more damage than actually finding a rain leak.
ASTM E1105
The ASTM E1105 test, and how will it help locate rain leaks
There are many water tests you can apply to your home of office to locate these rain leaks. For example, the E1105 test is designed to tests your windows for leaks, doors for leaks and commercial curtain walls. The manner in which the test was designed allows for a certain amount of water to touch the surface and If there is a weakness in the structures systems like windows or doors, they will simply leak. Thus finding your leak.
On the other hand, if you have leaking in your home, not just any person can apply these tests. You'll want to locate a company like building leak detection. We're located in Nevada, Arizona and California.
ASTM E1105
What is the cost to perform a leak test like the E1105 on my home?
ASTM E1105
How is the test E1105 water intrusion performed?
In a nutshell, the ASTM E1105 water intrusion test is performed either with a pressure chamber or without. When pressure chamber is used, the test is usually testing the windows performance, that is whether or not the window itself leaks. Aside from that, we'd want to test the windows installation into the wall, and see if that leaks. Typically, the test runs either 15 minutes for a number of cycles stipulated by the specifier or no less than 15 minutes.. Either way, it will produce a leak when used should a leak be present.
ASTM E1105
Here is what is to be expected from this test
The test when provided by a professional, should prove whether or not the window or the windows installation leaks from this test. When applying this test to your specimen, a team will erect a calibrated spray rack out side the specimen, a team member will be located within he building who's job is to observe once tested starts. When the test starts it will run for the predetermined amount to time where the individual inside will look for the leak penetration.
The E1105 when applied by a professional testing agency, the test will produce either positive or negative results meaning, the specimen will leak or it simply will not under these types of tests.
ASTM E1105
Will the ASTM E1105 test find rain leaking?
The ASTM E1105 test is designed to test a window, door or curtain wall to locate leaking which can indeed be caused by rainfall.
ASTM E1105
Only use a certified professional testing agency
When you need to have professional testing, only use a professional certified water intrusion specialists.
ASTM E1105
How Much does it cost to perform the ASTM E1105 water test?
The typical cost for a certified water intrusion specialists to administer this test is roughly $2200 / day on average.
ASTM E1105
After the water intrusion test a report is generated
Once the testing is complete, the tester will generate a written report that will encompass the test as well as the results of the test. this will include;
- The time of the test
- The weather at the time of the test
- Who was present
- What was tested
- How long was the test
- What test was performed
- When, where and how did it leak (if it did)
- A summary of the test process
ASTM E2128 TEST
The ASTM E 2128 is the standard guide for evaluating water leakage of building walls through a systematic approach
The ASTM E2128 is a standard which is referenced by a professional testing agency in order to assess water infiltration within building walls using a systematic approach. Furthermore, the guide provides the framework which we follow in order to better investigate searching for sources for water intrusion via the building envelope.
ASTM E2128 TEST
ASTM E2128 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive, disruptive or destructive
4.1.1 In the 2128 document, the qualifications of the tester requires a knowledge of basic physics, and construction and wall design principles and practices
4.1.3 Preliminary Assessment—A preliminary assessment may show that water leakage issues are limited to a certain part or element of a wall of an evaluation program must be reasonable and in line with the stated scope of work and the time and resources dedicated to it.
Within a clear area of work, the goal is to be as thorough as possible. The method described in this guide is meant to look at how a wall system naturally leaks, leading to results that can be used in similar parts of the building. Since a review program doesn't look in every possible place, it's likely that not every leak source will be found.
Localized and one-of-a-kind leakage sources may still be there and need more localized review work. There shouldn't be too much talk about the evaluation program's possible results and rewards.
4.3 This guide doesn't talk about water that leaks through roofs, below grade, or builds up because of water mist moving around and condensation. It's not meant to be used with buildings that are meant to hold water, like pools and fountains.
ASTM E2128 TEST
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO AN EVALUATION
5.1 The steps in this guide are an organized way to check for wall leaks, and they can be used with any wall system or material. It's not the same as other methods that are specific to the material or part and are mostly just changes to quality control processes. The order of the tasks is meant to help gather information in a smooth and effective way, with each step building on and adding to the information gathered in the previous step.
- 5.1.1 Sequence of Activities—The recommended sequence of activities, discussed in individual sections below, are:
- 5.1.1.1 Review of project documents.
- 5.1.1.2 Evaluation of design concept.
- 5.1.1.3 Determination of service history.
- 5.1.1.4 Inspection.
- 5.1.1.5 Investigative testing.
- 5.1.1.6 Analysis.
- 5.1.1.7 Report preparation
ASTM E2128 TEST
Who performs the ASTM E2128 Forensic test?
In Los Angeles, stucco wall leaks are extremely all too common. The testing method for administering this test has a few more steps than that of the ASTM E1105 for example. Of course the ASTM E2128 field test requires a great deal of knowledge of the buildings systems especially the wall systems and waterproofing of these walls.
ASTM E2128 TEST
How much does the ASTM E2128 field test cost?
Typically, testing can cost as much s $2200 for a day of testing. However, the ASTM E2128 test can take significantly longer to administer therefore, the test will generally take multiple days to complete as opposed to a single day.
AAMA 501.2
AAMA 501.2 Water Infiltration Test For Storefront Systems
The AAMA 501.2 Water infiltration test is performed typically, on storefront systems which can either be installed on commercial building and even residential homes. In either case, the test is always performed identically. Unlike the previously mentioned water infiltration tests, this specific test is performed with a spray wand and not a calibrated spray rack system.
AAMA 501.2
Things you need too know about the AAMA 501.2
- The AAMA 501.2 test is essentially the gold standard test for all storefront door and window systems
- This test utilizes a hand held wand as opposed to a spray rack
- The Leak test is administered in a smaller area as opposed to a large area
AAMA 501.2
How Do I Know If I need This test as opposed to other tests?
For many experiencing rain leaks in their home, the rain leak test used to procure these leaks is determined mainly by the types of leak you're experiencing. For example, the ASTM E1105 is a spray rack test used to test windows, doors and curtain walls and the AAMA 501.2 is designed specifically to test storefront doors and windows. In contrast, the ASTM E2128 is designed to test building walls.
AAMA 501.2
When finding rain leaks, does it really matter what test we use?
The short answer is yes. The reason why it matters what type of test you administer is simple. All building products tests should be tested as they were originally designed. Meaning, Milguard retrofit windows that you would find in your home are not constructed the same as say a high-rise glass storefront system. These are made to withstand extreme conditions like heavy wind.
AAMA 501.2
Can we use the AAMA 501.2 test to locate leaks even if its not a storefront window system?
Yes. Although its advised to use the test procedure which your building system was originally designed, you can use the wand to spray area of a deck, a wall and even a window taking into account the distance away from the specimen due to the force the wand produces.
AAMA 501.2
How much does the AAMA 501.2 test cost to administer?
Much like all the other tests mentioned, this test runs also by the day. So for example, a full day of testing will likely cost around $2200.
