ASTM E1105 Water Testing in Los Angeles

Thermal imaging shows you where water is. ASTM E1105 water testing proves exactly how it got there. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting performs standardized water penetration testing on residential and commercial buildings across Los Angeles to reproduce leaks under controlled conditions and confirm the exact point where water enters your building envelope.

ASTM E1105 is a testing standard published by ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials). It specifies exactly how to apply water to an exterior wall section and at what pressure, so results are repeatable, objective, and defensible. When we need to prove where a leak originates, not just suspect it, we deploy ASTM E1105 testing.

Cameron Figgins, founder of Absolute Maintenance & Consulting, has performed ASTM E1105 testing for over three decades on properties throughout Los Angeles County. We hold IICRC certification (#70018676) and CSLB license #998184. ASTM E1105 testing is available as a standalone service or as part of a comprehensive water intrusion investigation.

ASTM E1105 (“Standard Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference”) is a standardized procedure for testing whether water penetrates a building wall assembly under simulated rain conditions.

Here is what it does in plain language: we mount a calibrated spray rack on the outside of a wall section, apply water at a controlled rate (typically 5 gallons per square foot per hour), and observe the interior side for water penetration. The test runs for a specified duration, usually 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the protocol, while we monitor the interior for any sign that water is passing through the wall assembly.

The standard includes two procedures:

• Procedure A (Static pressure): Applies a constant air pressure differential across the wall while water is sprayed on the exterior. This simulates wind-driven rain. The pressure level is specified based on the building height and wind exposure.
• Procedure B (No added pressure): Applies water spray only, without air pressure. This tests whether the wall leaks under gravity-driven water exposure alone. Procedure B is commonly used for residential investigations because it isolates the cladding and flashing performance from wind effects.

The result is binary: either water penetrates the wall assembly during the test, or it does not. When penetration occurs, we document exactly where on the interior the water appeared, the time elapsed before penetration, and the corresponding exterior location where water entered. This gives you a confirmed, defensible identification of the leak source.

Commercial buildings in Los Angeles have more complex building envelopes with more potential failure points. Absolute Maintenance & Consulting performs ASTM E1105 testing on:

• Curtain wall systems where water penetration at mullion joints, spandrel panels, or anchor connections needs identification and documentation.
• Storefront window assemblies in retail and mixed-use buildings where repeated leaking disrupts tenant operations and creates liability.
• Multi-story stucco facades where testing isolates leaks floor by floor, starting at the bottom and working up to identify which floor level has the envelope failure.
• New construction acceptance testing before the builder turns the project over to the owner. ASTM E1105 testing confirms that the building envelope performs to specification.
• Construction defect claims where standardized test results provide the objective evidence needed for warranty disputes, insurance claims, and expert reporting.

Commercial ASTM E1105 reports from {BRAND} document the test setup, spray rack position, water application rate, duration, pressure (if applicable), observations, and results with timestamped photos. Reports are formatted for engineering review, insurance documentation, and construction defect proceedings.

Here is what happens during an ASTM E1105 test from Absolute Maintenance & Consulting:

Test duration varies by scope. A single window test takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour including setup. A multi-area investigation testing 3 to 5 wall sections takes half a day to a full day.

Multiple ASTM and AAMA standards address water penetration testing. Here is how they differ:

For water intrusion investigations, ASTM E1105 is the standard we use because it tests the installed assembly in the field under controlled conditions. ASTM E331 results tell you that a window passed lab testing, not that the window as installed in your building is watertight. AAMA 501.2 (hose nozzle testing) is sometimes used as a quick screening test, but ASTM E1105 provides more uniform, repeatable results.

ASTM E1105 testing is priced per test area because setup, duration, and complexity vary. Most residential investigations involve 1 to 3 test areas identified through thermal imaging and moisture mapping. We do not charge for testing areas that are clearly not leaking.

ASTM E1105 testing is often performed as part of a complete building envelope inspection. Call (310) 678-4345 to discuss your situation and get a specific quote.

Three decades of field testing experience. Cameron Figgins has performed ASTM E1105 water penetration testing on hundreds of properties across Los Angeles County. He knows which wall assemblies, window types, and flashing details fail in LA construction and where to focus testing for the fastest, most accurate results.

Testing is part of our full investigation process. ASTM E1105 is most effective when paired with thermal imaging and moisture mapping. We do not test blindly. We use thermal imaging and moisture data to identify suspect areas first, then deploy ASTM E1105 to confirm.

We fix what we find. Unlike independent testing labs, Absolute Maintenance & Consulting both diagnoses and repairs water intrusion. We understand how wall assemblies fail because we take them apart and rebuild them. That repair knowledge makes us better diagnosticians.

Standardized, defensible results. Our ASTM E1105 reports follow the published standard protocol. Results are admissible for insurance claims, engineering review, warranty disputes, and construction defect evaluations.

Still have questions? Our experts are here to help.

Absolute Maintenance & Consulting performs building envelope inspections throughout Los Angeles County, including West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Venice, Culver City, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Bel Air, Century City, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Echo Park, Pasadena, Glendale, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, and the South Bay communities.

Call (310) 678-4345 or email info@leakmoldrepair.com to schedule your building envelope inspection.