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LEAKY WINDOWS 
Windows….All buildings have them and all windows leak. It’s simply a fact. The proof is the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association’s (AAMA) rating system that pressure tests windows. All windows leak at a certain point in a pressure test. Each class of window is manufactured and tested to a designed pressure rating. The design pressure rating is how much wind driven rain a window can withstand. Surprisingly many designers and builders specify or install windows with the lowest performance class in buildings needing a higher performance rating. Expensive looking windows do not necessarily mean that a window has a high-pressure rating. These windows can leak after the first decent rain storm. Leaking windows can go undetected for a long period of time. Some people report smelling a musty/mildew odor that is strongest near electrical outlets. The smell is from the rotten plywood or OSB in the wall cavity that’s gotten wet. 
Structural Damage Caused by Leaking WindowsRepeated water intrusion into the wall cavity beneath the window can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair. Often the stone façade or stucco has to be removed from the exterior to repair the damage. In some cases, the interior drywall and framing has to be removed and replaced. The home’s occupants may need to be relocated during deconstruction activities based on the airborne concentration of mold. 
Health Related Problems Caused by Leaking WindowsMold grows quickly in the wall cavities beneath leaking windows. The health of asthmatics and people will allergies can be affected by exposure to mold. A new study by University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers found that infants who were exposed to mold spores early in life were more likely to develop allergies to mold, pollen, dust mites, pet dander and certain foods as they grew older. This is the first study to show a relationship between specific airborne fungal spores and an increased risk for multiple allergies in children. 
Field Testing Windows to Find the Leak The builder is often baffled as to where the leak is coming from. A large amount of caulk is usually the remedy, which is temporary at best. Sometimes an attempt to find the leak is made by squirting water from a garden hose onto the window. This method hardly simulates a wind driven rain event and can be misleading. Our testing equipment and methods accurately simulates the effect of rain and wind at the pressure the window was designed to withstand. The test results pinpoint where the leak is and whether it is due to an installation error, a product defect, or a combination of factors. We also conduct air leakage tests on windows. Air leakage is a measure of air that passes through the window assembly during pressure tests. The lower the air leakage rating, the less air infiltrates into the home through the window. Please Contact Us for more information. 
Indoor Air Quality Services | Mold Inspection | Mold Remediation | New Construction
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