Water testing of building exteriors is a very generic term that encompasses a truly wide range of testing methods. Water is commonly used to test exterior performance and identify potential leaks or failure points in a building or structure. Water testing is used to analyze performance in new construction (which can be a part of the commissioning process), and in existing structures to identify leaks of failures.
Most water test methods incorporate the use of several types of specialized spray equipment. These are set up to mimic rain or wind-driven precipitation events. Other methods are as simple as flood testing horizontal membrane systems and related areas.
However, it is not enough to own the proper equipment. Our team possesses the knowledge of how various building components interact and work together. This expertise is what helps us provide our clients with a better understanding of the different test results. We understand that tests may require isolating independent building components in order to identify the very specific areas of compromise. MTNVIEW has been very successful in utilizing water testing techniques and identifying exact specific failure points on buildings. We are often called upon by other industry professionals to perform these tests as an independent third party.
It is critical that a leak source is identified before any repair work is conducted. Premature assumptions, without proper investigation, often result in very costly outcomes. We approach your project with a wide range of tools and methods to pinpoint the origin of the leak. Only then can remediation options be reviewed.
Another water test we use to identify moisture infiltration is the Rilem test method. This test method is designed to identify the absorption rate of a specific substrate. In some cases moisture does not necessarily compromise a structure of building through one specific failure or entry point. It may be that the exterior materials are allowing for this moisture infiltration to occur. The test is designed to evaluate the moisture resistance of the material(s) surface to wind driven rain.
There are several prescribed industry standards outlining testing for specific building components. One of the most common standards is ASTM E 2128 - Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls which describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water intrusion of exterior walls.
MTNVIEW has the capacity to test to other prescribed industry standards. If there is a specific test that you are looking to have performed, please contact us.