To find where a roof is leaking, you must compare the visible moisture inside the property with possible entry points on the roof. The investigation usually includes inspecting ceiling stains, mapping damp materials, checking the attic when accessible, and examining...
Who Should You Call If a Roof Leak Causes Your House to Smell After Heavy Rain?
If a roof leak causes your house to smell after heavy rain, the first professional to call is a qualified roof leak detection or water intrusion specialist. This professional can investigate how rainwater is entering the building, trace the moisture pathway, and...
Who Should You Call to Find a Roof Leak?
When water begins dripping from a ceiling or a brown stain appears after a storm, it is natural to assume that the roof directly above the damage needs to be patched. Unfortunately, finding a roof leak is rarely that simple. Water can enter through one part of the...
What Can Cause a Building to Fail an Inspection?
A building can fail an inspection—or, more accurately, receive a correction notice—when the inspector identifies work or property conditions that do not satisfy the inspection requirements. The reason may involve structural construction, roofing, waterproofing,...
What Does a Building Envelope Inspector Do?
A building envelope inspector examines the exterior systems that protect a property from rain, moisture, wind, and outdoor conditions. The inspector reviews roofs, exterior walls, stucco, windows, doors, flashing, sealants, waterproofing, balconies, penetrations,...
What Is an Envelope Leakage Test?
An envelope leakage test is an evaluation used to determine how much air passes unintentionally through gaps, cracks, joints, and openings in a building’s exterior enclosure. The exterior enclosure—commonly called the building envelope—includes the roof, exterior...
What Is a Building Envelope Water Test?
A building envelope water test is a diagnostic procedure used to determine where rainwater or exterior moisture may be entering a building. During the test, water is carefully applied to selected exterior components while the interior is monitored for signs of...
What Is Building Envelope Testing?
Building envelope testing is the process of evaluating the exterior systems that separate a building’s indoor spaces from outdoor conditions. These systems include the roof, exterior walls, stucco, windows, doors, flashing, sealants, balconies, waterproofing...
Which Moisture Meter Is Best for Finding Leaks Inside Walls?
When water is hidden behind drywall, the first visible sign may be a stain, bubbling paint, swollen baseboard, musty odor, or soft section of wall. A moisture meter can help determine whether a suspicious area contains elevated moisture, but choosing the right type of...
How Do You Determine Where Moisture Is Coming From?
Discovering a damp wall, ceiling stain, musty odor, or warped floor is concerning, but the visible damage does not always reveal the actual source. Moisture can travel through roofing materials, wall cavities, framing, insulation, concrete, and flooring before it...