Building Enclosure Forensics LLC

07/06/2026

Not all basement leaks start at the floor.

One of the most common misconceptions is that water only enters where the wall meets the slab. In reality, hydrostatic pressure can force water through the concrete wall itself, causing moisture to weep through pores, cracks, form tie locations, or construction joints well above the floor.

When we see moisture entering through the middle of a foundation wall, it is often a sign that the exterior waterproofing system has been compromised, was installed incorrectly, or was never designed to withstand the conditions present at the site.

Recently, a project reinforced just how critical below grade waterproofing really is. After a nearby water main break, the importance of a properly designed and installed waterproofing system became immediately apparent.

Water will always find the path of least resistance. The best time to address below grade waterproofing is during construction, before the foundation is backfilled.

At Building Enclosure Forensics, we help owners, builders, architects, and attorneys investigate water intrusion, identify the source of failures, and develop practical solutions that protect buildings for the long term.

Have you ever seen water weeping through a concrete foundation wall? We'd love to hear about your experience.

06/16/2026

A conversation with a homeowner this week really stuck with me.

After dealing with water intrusion, mold concerns, testing, inspections, and trying to figure out what was actually going on with their home, they said something along the lines of:

"People really need someone like you before they buy a house."

The truth is, most people don't know building enclosure consultants exist until they have a problem.

We usually get called after the leak has been happening for months, after mold has been discovered, or after multiple repair attempts have failed. By then, the stress, frustration, and cost have already started to add up.

That's exactly why Building Enclosure Forensics exists.

Our goal isn't to create problems or point fingers. Our goal is to help owners understand how their building is performing, identify the source of issues, and provide clear, unbiased recommendations based on what we actually observe.

Whether it's a new construction home, an existing residence, or a commercial building, an independent set of eyes can often identify issues before they become major headaches.

I truly believe there is a place for building enclosure consultants to work alongside homeowners, builders, architects, and contractors. The challenge is simply helping people understand that these services exist and how much value they can provide.

The technical work is the easy part for me. Getting the word out is another story.

If you've dealt with leaks, mold, window issues, condensation, or building performance concerns, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Building Enclosure Forensics, LLC
Independent Building Envelope Consulting, Testing, and Investigations

05/28/2026

At Building Enclosure Forensics we continue to see a concerning trend across new and old construction projects. Brand new homes and commercial buildings experiencing window installation related water intrusion issues within the first few years of occupancy.

In many cases, the windows themselves are not the problem. The failures are often tied to improper flashing integration, missing end dams, reverse lapped weather resistive barriers, poorly sealed penetrations, or drainage paths that were never properly established during installation.

What makes these failures especially frustrating for owners is that the buildings are often marketed as high end or luxury construction. Unfortunately, price point does not always equal quality control.

Water intrusion around windows rarely stays isolated. What begins as minor staining or condensation can quickly develop into concealed damage within sheathing, framing, insulation, and interior finishes. By the time symptoms become visible inside the building, the damage has often been occurring for quite some time.

This is why early investigation and testing matter.

Proper forensic evaluation, ASTM E1105 testing, and intrusive assessment can help identify whether the issue stems from the window product itself, installation deficiencies, surrounding wall assembly integration, or a combination of factors.

The reality is simple. A high performance wall assembly only performs as well as its transitions and workmanship.

We strongly encourage owners, developers, contractors, and property managers to prioritize quality assurance during installation and independent testing before problems become widespread.

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is a reminder that the strength of our communities is built on sacrifice, service, and resilience.

At Building Enclosure Forensics we are grateful for those who gave everything for our country and for the opportunity to continue serving our clients and communities with integrity and accountability.

Today we remember the fallen, honor their sacrifice, and reflect on the importance of protecting what matters most.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/04/2026

When a roof is replaced, most people assume the job is done right the first time. Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

At Building Enclosure Forensics, we are often brought in after a new roof has already started to fail. Water intrusion, improper flashing, poor detailing, and missed installation steps can turn a brand new roof into a costly problem in a very short time.

The reality is simple. A roof replacement is not just about new materials. It is about proper installation, sequencing, and attention to critical details that are often hidden once the project is complete.

Independent inspections during roof replacement help:
• Verify proper installation as work progresses
• Identify issues before they are covered up
• Ensure manufacturer and industry standards are followed
• Protect your investment and extend the life of the roof

Catching a problem early is always less expensive than repairing damage later. Once water intrusion begins, it rarely stays isolated and can impact insulation, structure, and interior finishes.

If you are investing in a new roof, make sure you are also investing in quality assurance.

Building Enclosure Forensics provides third party inspections to help ensure your project is done right the first time.

04/29/2026

How many homeowners are seeing this?

Over the past year, 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬 has been involved in multiple residential projects where the homes are valued in the millions of dollars, what has been most striking is not just the presence of defects, but the conversations with homeowners.

These are clients who invested heavily with the expectation of exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail, and long term performance, instead, many are facing water intrusion, failing cladding systems, improper flashing, and installation deficiencies that simply should not exist at this level of cost and construction.

One of the more difficult parts of our role is helping homeowners understand that their concerns are valid.

They are 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦.
They are 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩.

In many cases, they are right to feel that something is off.

What we are seeing across the industry is a growing gap between cost and quality. As projects push to control budgets and timelines, critical components of the building enclosure are often where corners are cut or money saved, not just on material but on installation. Unfortunately, those are the very systems that protect the structure from long term damage.

High end construction does not automatically mean high quality construction.

That is why inspections, independent investigation, testing, and forensic analysis are more important than ever. Identifying issues early, understanding root causes, and providing clear, unbiased recommendations is the only way to protect both the asset and the people living in it.

If you are seeing signs of moisture, drafts, or performance issues in your home, do not ignore them. Small symptoms often point to larger underlying problems.

At Building Enclosure Forensics, we are here to bring clarity, not confusion, and to help ensure problems are addressed correctly the first time.

04/13/2026

Most door leaks are not caused by the door. They are caused by what is missing underneath it.

We see this all the time at Building Enclosure Forensics.

Water showing up at doors is often blamed on condensation or homeowner habits, but the real issue is usually much simpler:

#1. Missing or improperly installed door pans and flashing.

These components are critical because they:

•Catch water that gets past the door
•Direct it back outside where it belongs
•Protect your floors, walls, and structure

When they are not installed correctly, water has nowhere to go except into your home.

Common signs we see:

•Wood floors swelling or cupping near the door
•Stained or damaged trim at the base of the jambs
•Moisture showing up with no obvious source

The important thing to understand is this:

Water will always find a way in. A properly built system is what sends it back out.

Standards like the International Residential Code require proper water management at doors for a reason.

If you are noticing any of these signs, there is often more going on beneath the surface.

We are here to help identify the source and make sure it is fixed correctly the first time.

04/10/2026

ASTM E1105 Testing: STOP GUESSING WHERE AND HOW WATER IS GETTING IN!

Water intrusion from the simplest mistakes does not fix itself. It gets worse, more expensive, and harder to defend the longer it goes undiscovered or not repaired.

That is why ASTM E1105 testing is one of the most valuable tools available for consultants, owners, contractors, and attorneys.

ASTM E1105 is an on site test that simulates a wind driven rain by applying controlled spraying of water on the exterior and a negative interior pressure to windows, doors, and wall systems to the rating specified by the manufacturers rating. It allows us to see exactly where water is entering, not where we think it might be.

What this means for you:

1. Pinpoint the exact source of leaks
2. Verify if windows and doors were installed correctly
3. Protect against hidden damage to framing and finishes
4. Gain clear, defensible documentation for disputes
5. Avoid costly trial and error repairs, repair the leak correctly the first time

Most failures we see are not product defects, though that does occur regardless of the manufacturer or cost of the systems. They are more commonly installation and integration issues that go unnoticed until damage appears.

At Building Enclosure Forensics LLC, we specialize in identifying these problems quickly and accurately using ASTM E1105 testing and advanced diagnostic methods.

If you suspect a problem or want to verify performance before it becomes one, now is the time to act.

Know where the water is coming from. Fix it right the first time.
Contact us today to schedule testing or discuss your project.

04/08/2026

Problems in the Construction Industry and on Residential Home Projects Usually Start in the Design

Most water intrusion issues and building envelope failures are not caused by poor construction. They are caused by details that were missed or not fully thought through during design.

That is why design reviews are such a critical part of building commissioning.

At Building Enclosure Forensics, we review plans with real world performance in mind. We look at how water, air, and moisture will actually move through a building, not just how it looks on paper.

We commonly find:
• Missing or incomplete flashing details
• Gaps in air and water barrier continuity
• Poor drainage planning at doors and windows
• Conflicts between different building systems

These issues are much easier and far less expensive to fix before construction begins.

A proper design review helps protect:
• The builder from costly rework
• The homeowner from long term damage
• The project from delays and disputes

The best time to fix a problem is before it is built.

If you have a project in design or early construction, Building Enclosure Forensics is here to help make sure it performs the way it should.

Message us or reach out today to talk about your project

04/06/2026

Water damage doesn’t start big. It starts small and gets ignored.

We’ve been in several homes recently where the same thing keeps coming up:

A newer home
A small leak
A little staining

And a lot of unanswered questions.

“Is this normal?”
“Is this a big deal?”
“Will it get worse?”

The honest answer… it usually does.

Most water intrusion issues come from small installation mistakes that are easy to miss but costly to fix later. Things like improperly sealed doors, missing pans, or water getting past areas that should be watertight.

At Building Enclosure Forensics LLC, we help take the guesswork out of it. We test, investigate, and show you exactly what is happening and why.

No opinions. No runaround. Just clear answers and a path forward.

If something in your home doesn’t seem right, trust that instinct. It’s always better to catch it early.

Feel free to message us if you have questions or want us to take a look.

📍 Proudly serving Colorado

Building Enclosure Consulting You Can TrustLeak Investigation, Water Intrusion Testing, Air Leakage Testing and Building Envelope Consulting Across Colorado Schedule Investigation Our Core ServicesReliable expertise across residential and commercial buildings General Building Envelope ConsultingReco...