3 Reasons Why Brand New Windows and doors Must Be Water Leak Tested In Los Angeles
Most people who are remodeling their homes in Los Angeles may not be totally aware that contractors shouldn’t be entirely trusted. Although Im a contractor, I also assist with inspections / investigations with the CSLB and the majority of those investigations I’ve never seen such a huge disregard in contractors who blatantly disregard the rules of contracting. Which leads us to newly installed windows and doors in Los Angeles.
1) New windows and doors can leak just like old windows and doors will
The majority of all windows and doors have been previously tested after manufacturing. These tests are to ensure that the window or door and is able to withstand the pressures of wind and water. This test is the AAMA 331 which is a laboratory test. Not to be confused with the ASTM E1105 test which is the field test. This is the test that you will absolutely want to perform when you have new windows and doors installed in your Los Angeles home or business. Brand new windows or doors have to be water intrusion tested just after installation and before the exterior wall covering is applied.
2) The installation of the product may have been compromised
Of course if the window passes the water intrusion test, there is always the installation that may be compromised. Having tested hundreds of doors and windows in Los Angeles, I can say with 100% certainty that even though a window is good the manner in which the product was installed into the wall can still leak. If this happens, the next step is to have the window or door removed and then re-installed into the wall. Most contractors would be against this if it was not made 100% clear by having the wall tested prior to completion.
3) Testing prior to completion allows you piece of mind that the product and the installation were acceptable
When you perform the ASTM E1105 water intrusion test on the newly installed doors or windows here in Los Angeles it not only allow you to find leaks if they exist, it gives you piece of mind. At the end of the day, the testing has proven that the windows and doors were both installed correctly and were themselves, not leaking. It’s crucial, that you have your doors and windows be water tested by your contractor. The testing costs will be far less than the cost of having all these building systems replaced.
We are water intrusion specialists in Los Angeles and provide these types of tests on a daily basis.
