ASTM E2128-01a
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
Standard Guide for Evaluating Water Leakage of Building Walls
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 This practice does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish appropriate safety and health 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.
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Designation:E2128–01a
Standard Guide for
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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 Air Pressure Difference
E631 Terminology of Building Constructions
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and
E1105 Test Method for Field Determination of Water Pen-
evaluating causes of water leakage of exterior walls. For this
etration of Installed Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors,
purpose, water penetration is considered leakage, and therefore
and Curtain Walls, by Uniform or Cyclic Static Air
problematic, if it exceeds the planned resistance or temporary
Pressure Difference
retention and drainage capacity of the wall, is causing or is
2.2 American Architectural Manufacturers Association
likely to cause premature deterioration of a building or its
(AAMA) Standards:
contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other
501.2 Field Check of Metal Storefronts, Curtain Walls and
components. A wall is considered a system including its
3
Sloped Glazing Systems for Water Leakage
exterior and interior finishes, fenestration, structural compo-
502 Specification for Field Testing of Windows and Sliding
nents and components for maintaining the building interior
3
Doors
environment.
503 Specification for Field Testing of Metal Storefronts,
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed may be intrusive,
3
Curtain Walls and Sloped Glazing Systems
disruptive or destructive. It is the responsibility of the investi-
gatortoestablishthelimitationsofuse,toanticipateandadvise
3. Terminology
of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to plan for
3.1 Refer to Terminology E631.
patching and selective reconstruction as necessary.
3.2 Definitions:
1.3 This practice does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 incidental water—unplanned water infiltration that
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. Establish
penetrates beyond the primary barrier and the flashing or
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
secondary barrier system, of such limited volume that it can
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Awareness
escape or evaporate without causing adverse consequences.
of safety and familiarity with safe procedures are particularly
3.2.2 water absorption—a process in which a material takes
important for above-ground operations on the exterior of a
in water through its pores and interstices and retains it wholly
building and destructive investigative procedures which typi-
without transmission.
cally are associated with the work described in this guide.
3.2.3 water infiltration—a process in which water passes
2. Referenced Documents through a material or between materials in a system and
2 reaches a space that is not directly or intentionally exposed to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the water source.
E331 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Win-
3.2.4 water leakage—water that is uncontrolled, exceeds
dows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform
the resistance, retention or discharge capacity of the system, or
Static Air Pressure Difference
causes subsequent damage or premature deterioration.
E514 Test Method for Water Penetration and Leakage
3.2.5 water penetration—a process in which water gains
Through Masonry
access into a material or system by passing through the surface
E547 Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Win-
exposed to the water source.
dows, Skylights, Doors, and CurtainWalls by Cyclic Static
3.2.6 water permeation—a process in which water enters,
flows and spreads within and discharges from a material.
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Performance
of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on Exterior 4. Significance and Use
Building Wall Systems.
4.1 This guide is intended to provide building professionals
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 2001. Published January 2002. Originally
with a comprehensive methodology for evaluating water leak-
published as E2128–01. Last previous edition E2128–01. DOI: 10.1520/E2128-
01A.
age through walls. It addresses the performance expectations
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
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the ASTM website. 60173–4268.
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