Page 483 - Construction Waterproofing Handbook

ENVELOPE TESTING 12.23
the proposed detailing will work uniformly for all included products. When testing has been
completed at job sites or with laboratory mock-ups, manufacturers should be invited to review
the tests and results and to offer their opinions and suggestions.

TESTING DEFICIENCIES

Unfortunately, often envelopes still experience water infiltration after completion of test-
ing. This can be caused by a variety of problems, including:

● Insufficient termination and transition detailing in the test parameters
● Repair of defects found during testing by insufficient methods, including sealing with
low-performance sealants
● Substitution of products, materials, or systems after the completion of testing
● Testing that does not reveal the long-term incompatibility of products, resulting in short
life cycles or water infiltration
● Long-term weathering cycles not included in the testing
● Expected detrimental elements such as acid rain, road salts, ultraviolet weathering, and
freeze–thaw cycling not being included in the testing
● Actual field conditions not duplicated in the laboratory or mock-up testing; for example,
water at the actual job site containing chemicals detrimental to masonry admixtures, and
dry weather preventing proper curing of mortar
● Mock-ups constructed under laboratory conditions not possible at the site, including
expertise of mechanics working on the actual building envelope
● Performance requirements not as demanding as required by actual job-site conditions;
for example, wind loading (especially at upper building portions), thermal movement,
and wear and durability required at locations such as loading docks
● Mock-ups not accounting for structural loading or settlement that will occur in actual
building conditions

One major problem with envelope testing is a lack of standardized tests that allow review
of typical transition and termination details. Further, there is a lack of testing designed
specifically for waterproofing products. Tests supplied or used for waterproofing materials
and systems are often those applied to roofing materials or other envelope systems.
The fact that water infiltration continues to plague building projects is evidence that
either insufficient testing exists, or that tests and their results are often not considered seri-
ously enough to warrant proper resolution of problems. All too often, mock-ups are even-
tually made to pass requirements once sufficient quantities of sealants have been applied.
To ensure that test results are properly used, the following procedures should be followed:

● Any infiltration that occurs during testing should be carefully documented.
● Determination of the leakage cause should be completed before attempts at repair are
completed.