Service:

Investigation Services

Targeted diagnostic testing is often one of the most cost-effective steps an owner can take before committing to major repairs or replacement. By identifying actual performance issues—not assumptions—testing helps right-size repair scopes, avoid repeat failures, and extend the service life of building systems.
In many cases, investigation and testing represent only a small fraction of the overall project cost, while informing decisions that protect the majority of the investment.

Technicians performing water testing during building envelope investigation

Visual inspections provide an important baseline, but they rarely tell the full story of how a building enclosure is actually performing. Many failures occur behind finished surfaces, within concealed assemblies, or under specific environmental conditions that cannot be observed during a walk-through. When leaks persist, systems underperform, or observed conditions don’t align with expectations, testing becomes essential. Performance-based testing provides measurable, defensible data—allowing owners to move beyond assumptions and address the true cause of an issue rather than its symptoms.

Different testing methods reveal different aspects of enclosure behavior. Water intrusion testing helps trace the precise pathways through which moisture is entering the building. Infrared and thermal imaging identify hidden moisture, insulation deficiencies, and thermal anomalies across roofs and façades. Blower door and air leakage testing quantify uncontrolled air movement that can drive moisture intrusion, energy loss, and comfort issues. Roof system forensics and advanced diagnostic tools further clarify conditions that are otherwise invisible, particularly in older or complex assemblies. Together, these methods allow us to evaluate performance under real-world conditions rather than relying solely on visual indicators.

Testing is critical because it informs better decisions at every stage—from repair planning and design development to bidding, construction, and long-term capital planning. By isolating failures and validating actual conditions, testing helps eliminate unnecessary scope, reduce repeat repairs, and protect capital investments. Most importantly, it provides clarity and confidence—turning uncertainty into actionable information and helping owners resolve problems with precision instead of reaction.

Diagnostic Testing Supports the Project Lifecycle

Our testing and diagnostic services are most effective when integrated into broader decision-making and project planning efforts. They are commonly used to support:

Building enclosure investigations,

where targeted testing confirms suspected failure points, isolates moisture pathways, and distinguishes systemic issues from localized defects.

Repair and restoration planning,

providing data-driven insight to right-size repair scopes—avoiding both under-repair and unnecessary demolition.

Capital needs assessments,

helping owners prioritize investments based on actual performance conditions rather than age or assumptions.

Design development and peer review.

where testing results inform detailing, validate proposed solutions, and reduce the risk of repeat failures.

Bid scoping & construction quality control, ensuring scopes reflect real conditions and that completed work performs as intended.

Technicians performing water intrusion and leak testing on building envelope components

Infrared thermal imaging scan used to detect moisture and insulation deficiencies

Blower door system used for air leakage testing of building enclosure

Technician performing roof system forensic investigation and material inspection

Technician operating drone for building envelope diagnostics and inspection

Our Testing & Diagnostic Capabilities

1. Water Intrusion & Leak Testing

Water intrusion testing traces the precise pathways through which moisture enters the building.

Common applications include:

Active interior leaks with unclear or conflicting sources
Window, curtain wall, façade, and roof transitions
Verification of completed repairs

Methods may include:

Targeted water spray testing
Isolation testing of specific components or assemblies
Correlation of observed leaks with enclosure details

The result is clear identification of failure locations and pathways, reducing repeat repairs, unnecessary demolition, and ongoing disruption.

2. Infrared & Thermal Imaging

Infrared and thermal imaging identify concealed moisture, insulation deficiencies, and thermal anomalies.

Used to identify:

Wet insulation and trapped moisture
Air leakage and thermal bridging
Heat loss and energy performance concerns

Infrared imaging is particularly effective for large roof areas, façades, and inaccessible assemblies, and is often used to prioritize repairs and validate existing conditions.

3. Blower Door & Air Leakage Testing

Blower door and air leakage testing quantify uncontrolled air movement.

Testing supports:

Whole-building or zone-specific air leakage analysis
Identification of air barrier discontinuities
Validation of enclosure performance expectations

This testing is especially valuable during investigations, renovations, and quality-control verification, where understanding air movement is critical to long-term performance.

4. Roof System Forensics

Roof system forensics clarify conditions below the membrane.

We help answer key questions such as:

How many roofing systems exist?
How much insulation is wet or compromised?
Is asbestos-containing material present?
Is full replacement required—or is targeted repair viable?

Our findings support informed decision-making, accurate scoping, and reduced risk before major capital investment.

5. Advanced & Technology-Driven Diagnostics

For complex buildings and large-scale investigations, we deploy advanced diagnostic tools to expand coverage, improve accuracy, and enhance documentation. These technologies allow us to assess areas that are difficult or unsafe to access while capturing data efficiently.

Capabilities may include:

Drone and satellite inspections
Nuclear moisture detection and leak mapping
3D reality capture and digital documentation
AI-assisted image analysis (emerging applications)

These tools provide clients with clear, defensible data that supports confident planning, budgeting, and decision-making.

Reducing Risk Through Diagnostics

If you’re dealing with recurring leaks, uncertain conditions, or decisions that carry significant cost, targeted testing can provide the clarity needed to move forward with confidence. Whether used to confirm suspected issues, validate repairs, or inform long-term planning, our testing services are designed to support smart, defensible decisions. Reach out to discuss how diagnostic testing can help you resolve uncertainty and protect your building investment.