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Air and Water Infiltration Testing Services

We conduct ASTM-compliant air and water infiltration testing to detect leaks and ensure your building envelope performs. Trusted by architects and contractors.

Undetected air and water infiltration can lead to serious energy loss, moisture damage, and occupant complaints. Our field testing services validate the performance of your building envelope using precise, ASTM-compliant diagnostic procedures designed for modern construction environments.

What is Air and Water Infiltration Testing?

Air and water infiltration testing evaluates how well your exterior systems—especially windows, curtain walls, and joints—resist leakage. Using calibrated pressure chambers and spray racks, we simulate wind-driven rain and air pressure to expose any weaknesses in the envelope.

Why You Need Infiltration Testing

  • Comply with IECC, LEED, and ASTM requirements
  • Prevent mold, water intrusion, and indoor air quality issues
  • Verify workmanship and system performance before turnover
  • Meet quality assurance protocols and warranty standards
  • Identify recurring leaks or pressurization issues

Our Services Include:

  • ASTM E1105 Water Infiltration Testing (spray rack method)
  • ASTM E783 Air Infiltration Testing
  • Blower door and pressure chamber testing for fenestration
  • Thermal and moisture diagnostics
  • Detailed test documentation and compliance reporting

Case Study: Mixed-Use Development QA Testing

Project: Residential + Retail Complex | Milwaukee, WI

Need: Validate window and wall performance for LEED certification

Solution: Performed ASTM E1105 and E783 tests on 20% of units. Discovered sealant failure at three units and oversaw corrective action.

Result: All units passed retesting. Project earned full LEED points for envelope performance.

Learn more about infiltration standards from ASTM E1105 – Water Penetration Testing.

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Further reading

From the technical library

Common questions

What is the difference between ASTM E1105 and AAMA 501.2?
ASTM E1105 seals a chamber over an installed assembly and applies a uniform spray plus a measured pressure difference, so it evaluates the whole unit including its perimeter and drainage. AAMA 501.2 directs a calibrated nozzle along fixed, non-operable joints at close range. It is a quick check of sealed joinery only, not a substitute for a chamber test.
Can you test a building that is already occupied?
Yes. Testing on existing buildings is usually diagnostic: the goal is to reproduce a reported leak under controlled conditions so the source can be separated from where water appears. That normally requires interior access at the suspect location, protection of finishes, and sometimes temporary removal of interior surfaces so leakage can be observed directly rather than inferred.
How many units should be tested on a new project?
The sampling rate belongs in the project specification rather than in a field decision, and it should be set alongside the test pressures and pass criteria before installation begins. Testing the first installed unit early is generally worth more than testing a larger sample late, because a detailing or workmanship problem found early has not yet been repeated across the building.
If a test fails, do you carry out the repair?
No. Inspec is a consulting engineering and architecture firm and does not perform construction or repair work. We identify and document the leakage path, discuss the condition with the installing contractor on site, and can observe and retest after the contractor's corrective work. Keeping testing separate from remediation is what keeps the result independent.
What should the project specification say about field testing?
At minimum: which standard applies, the test pressure and where it comes from, how many units and how they are selected, when in the construction sequence testing occurs, the acceptance criterion, who pays for retesting after a failure, and who is authorized to present a unit as ready. Without those items written down, results get argued rather than acted on.
What access and conditions do you need on test day?
Interior access to the assembly with the finishes protected or not yet installed, exterior access for the spray rack including staging or lift where needed, a water supply and power. Ambient temperature matters, since water testing in freezing conditions is not practical. The unit must be complete and the sealants cured before it is presented for testing.
Is a laboratory mock-up test the same as field testing?
No. A mock-up tested in a laboratory qualifies the system design and is run at full design pressure under controlled conditions. Field testing evaluates what was actually installed in the building, including the perimeter conditions and workmanship that a mock-up cannot reproduce. A system with a strong laboratory record can still fail in the field.
Does a passing test mean the wall will not leak?
It means that unit did not leak at that pressure under that standard on that day. Testing samples a population; areas not tested are not covered by the result, and conditions such as extreme wind events can exceed the tested pressure. A passing result is evidence of correct installation at the locations tested, not a warranty.