ASTM E2128-20

Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide is intended to provide building professionals with a comprehensive methodology for evaluating water leakage through walls. It addresses the performance expectations and service history of a wall, the various components of a wall, and the interaction between these components and adjacent construction. It is not intended as a construction quality control procedure, nor as a preconstruction qualification procedure. It is intended for evaluating buildings that exhibit water leakage.  
4.1.1 Qualifications—This guide requires the evaluator to possess a knowledge of basic physics and of construction and wall design principles and practices.  
4.1.2 Application—The sequential activities described herein are intended to produce a complete and comprehensive evaluation program, but all activities may not be applicable or necessary for a particular evaluation program. It is the responsibility of the professional using this guide to determine the activities and sequence necessary to properly perform an appropriate leakage evaluation for a specific building.  
4.1.3 Preliminary Assessment—A preliminary assessment may indicate that water leakage problems are limited to a specific element or portion of a wall. The preliminary assessment may also indicate that the wall is not the source of a leak even though it is perceived as such by the building occupant. The presence of water might result from a roofing problem, a condensation problem, a plumbing problem, operable windows or doors left opened or unlatched or some other condition not directly related to water leakage through the building wall and is outside the scope of this guide. The evaluation of causes may likewise be limited in scope, and the procedures recommended herein abridged according to the professional judgement of the evaluator. A statement stipulating the limits of the investigation should be included in the report.  
4.1.4 Expectations—Expectations about the overall effectiveness of an evaluatio...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this purpose, water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary retention and drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other components. A wall is considered a system including its exterior and interior finishes, fenestration, structural components, and components for maintaining the building interior environment.  
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive, disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the investigator to establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to plan for patching and selective reconstruction as necessary.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.3.1 Exception—Solely inch-pound units are stated in 10.3.1, 10.3.2.1, X1.5.3.7, X2.5.1.3, X3.4.3.3, X5.1.2.2, X5.5.5, X5.6.3, and X8.5.1.3.  
1.4 This practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness of safety and familiarity with safe procedures are particularly important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a building and destructive investigative procedures which typically are associated with the work described in this guide.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of Internat...

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2020
• ICS: 91.060.10 - Walls. Partitions. Facades
• Technical Committee: E06 - Performance of Buildings
• Drafting Committee: E06.55 - Performance of Building Enclosures

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E2128 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2128; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this
purpose, water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore
2. Referenced Documents
problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
retention and drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is
C1601 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen-
likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its
etration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other
C1715/C1715M Test Method for Evaluation of Water Leak-
components. A wall is considered a system including its
age Performance of Masonry Wall Drainage Systems
exterior and interior finishes, fenestration, structural
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
components, and components for maintaining the building
Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uni-
interior environment.
form Static Air Pressure Difference
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive,
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior
disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the inves-
Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic
tigator to establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and
Static Air Pressure Difference
advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
plan for patching and selective reconstruction as necessary.
E860 Practice for ExaminingAnd Preparing Items ThatAre
Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
E1105 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen-
standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are
etration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors,
provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exception—Solely inch-pound units are stated in and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air
Pressure Difference
10.3.1, 10.3.2.1, X1.5.3.7, X2.5.1.3, X3.4.3.3, X5.1.2.2,
X5.5.5, X5.6.3, and X8.5.1.3. E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Informa-
tion and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
1.4 This practice does not purport to address all of the
3
2.2 AAMA Standards:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish
AAMA 501.2 Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water
appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and
Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to
Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
use. Awareness of safety and familiarity with safe procedures
AAMA 511 Voluntary Guideline for Forensic Water Pen-
are particularly important for above-ground operations on the
etration Testing of Fenestration Products,Article 4.2.1.3.1
exterior of a building and destructive investigative procedures
Optional Sill Dam Test (This test method previously
which typically are associated with the work described in this
appeared in AAMA 502.)
guide.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3. Terminology
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1 Definitions—Refer to Terminology E631.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on Perfor- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
mance of Building Enclosures. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2020. Originally Available from American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA),
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as E2128 – 17. DOI: 1827 Walden Office Square, Suite 550, Schaumburg, IL 60173-4268, http://
10.1520/E2128-20. www.aamanet.org.
Copyright ©
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E2128 − 17 E2128 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2128; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this purpose, water
penetration is considered leakage, and therefore problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary retention and
drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its contents, or is adversely
affecting the performance of other components. A wall is considered a system including its exterior and interior finishes,
fenestration, structural components, and components for maintaining the building interior environment.
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive, disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of the investigator to
establish the limitations of use, to anticipate and advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to plan for patching and
selective reconstruction as necessary.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses after SI units are provided for
information only and are not considered standard.
1.3.1 Exception—Solely inch-pound units are stated in 10.3.1, 10.3.2.1, X1.5.3.7, X2.5.1.3, X3.4.3.3, X5.1.2.2, X5.5.5, X5.6.3,
and X8.5.1.3.
1.4 This practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish appropriate
safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness of
safety and familiarity with safe procedures are particularly important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a building
and destructive investigative procedures which typically are associated with the work described in this guide.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C1601 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Penetration of Masonry Wall Surfaces
C1715/C1715M Test Method for Evaluation of Water Leakage Performance of Masonry Wall Drainage Systems
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air
Pressure Difference
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on Performance of
Building Enclosures.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017Dec. 1, 2020. Published December 2017December 2020. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
as E2128 – 12.E2128 – 17. DOI: 10.1520/E2128-17.10.1520/E2128-20.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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E2128 − 20
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Static Air Pressure
Difference
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
E860 Practice for Examining And Preparing Items That Are Or May Become Involved In Criminal or Civil Litigation
E1105 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
E1188 Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items by a Technical Investigator
3
2.2 AAMA Standards:
AAMA 501.2 Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls and Sloped
Glazing Systems
AAMA 511 Voluntary Guideline for Forensic Water Pene
...