ASTM D7053-07
(Guide)Standard Guide for Determining and Evaluating Causes of Water Leakage of Low-Sloped Roofs
Standard Guide for Determining and Evaluating Causes of Water Leakage of Low-Sloped Roofs
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and evaluating causes of water leakage in low-sloped roofs. For this purpose, water penetration is considered leakage and therefore problematic, is causing or is likely to cause premature deterioration of the roof, building or its contents, or is adversely affecting the performance of other components of the building A roof is considered an assembly including the membrane, insulation, vapor retarder (if required), deck, and structural components.
1.1.1 This guide excludes moisture-related problems in roofs caused by condensation.Note 1
Condensation-Moisture-related problems in roof systems may be caused by condensation of humid air originating from within the building and be incorrectly attributed to leakage from rain water. The protocol for an investigation of dampness due to condensation and is complicated, requires special expertise, and is beyond the scope of this guide. For information regarding condensation problems as they relate to roofs, refer to ASTM MNL 18, ASTM MNL 40, and ASHRAE Handbook 2005 Fundamentals.
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 repairing and selective reconstruction as necessary.
1.3 This guide does not address steep-sloped roofs, standing or flat seam metal roofs, or architectural standing seam metal roofs.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
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Designation:D7053–07
Standard Guide for
Determining and Evaluating Causes of Water Leakage of
Low-Sloped Roofs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7053; 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 conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
1.1 This guide describes methods for determining and
evaluating causes of water leakage in low-sloped roofs. For
2. Referenced Documents
this purpose, water penetration is considered leakage and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
thereforeproblematic,iscausingorislikelytocausepremature
C1153 Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing
deterioration of the roof, building or its contents, or is
Systems Using Infrared Imaging
adverselyaffectingtheperformanceofothercomponentsofthe
D1079 Terminology Relating to Roofing andWaterproofing
building A roof is considered an assembly including the
D7186 Practice for Quality Assurance Observation of Roof
membrane, insulation, vapor retarder (if required), deck, and
Construction and Repair
structural components.
1.1.1 This guide excludes moisture-related problems in
3. Terminology
roofs caused by condensation.
3.1 Refer to Terminology D1079.
NOTE 1—Condensation—Moisture-related problems in roof systems
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
may be caused by condensation of humid air originating from within the
3.2.1 condensation—theconversionofwatervaportoliquid
building and be incorrectly attributed to leakage from rain water. The
as the temperature drops or atmospheric pressure rises.
protocol for an investigation of dampness due to condensation and is
3.2.2 incidental water-—unplanned water infiltration that
complicated, requires special expertise, and is beyond the scope of this
penetrates beyond the primary barrier and flashing without
guide. For information regarding condensation problems as they relate to
2 3
roofs, refer to ASTM MNL 18, ASTM MNL 40, and ASHRAE causing adverse consequences.
Handbook 2005 Fundamentals.
3.2.3 water infiltration—a process in which water passes
through a material or between materials in a system and
1.2 Investigative techniques discussed in this guide may be
reaches a space that is not directly or intentionally exposed to
intrusive, disruptive, or destructive. It is the responsibility of
the water source.
the investigator to establish the limitations of use, to anticipate
3.2.4 water leakage—water entry that is uncontrolled, ex-
and advise of the destructive nature of some procedures, and to
ceeds the resistance of a component, or causes subsequent
plan for repairing and selective reconstruction as necessary.
damage or premature deterioration.
1.3 This guide does not address steep-sloped roofs, standing
or flat seam metal roofs, or architectural standing seam metal
4. Significance and Use
roofs.
4.1 This guide is intended to provide building professionals
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
with a methodology for evaluating water leakage through
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
low-sloped roofs. It addresses the service history of a roof, the
various components of a roof, and the interaction between
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and
these components and adjacent construction. It is not intended
Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.20 on Roofing
as a construction quality control procedure, as specified in
Membrane Systems.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2007. Published September 2007. DOI:
10.1520/D7053-07.
Treschel,H.R.,ed., Manual on Moisture Control in Buildings,MNL18,ASTM
International, 1994.
Treschel, H. R., ed., Moisture Analysis and Condensation Control in Building
Envelopes, MNL 40, ASTM International, 2003. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
ASHRAE Handbook 2005 Fundamentals, available from American Society of contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (ASHRAE), 1791 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, http://www.ashrae.org. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D7053–07
Practice D7186, nor as a preconstruction qualification proce- 5.1.1.7 Report preparation.
dure. It is intended for evaluating water leakage through a
5.2 Analysis and Interpretation—The information gathered
low-sloped roof.
during a leakage evaluation is analyzed as it is acquired. It is
4.1.1 Qualifications—Use of this guide requires a back- not the intent of this guide to imply that the analysis and
groundasanarchitect,engineer,roof/waterproofingconsultant,
interpretation of the information occurs only at the completion
roofing contractor, or related profession with an understanding of all activities.
in building construction and the expertise in the design,
installation, and maintenance of low-sloped roofs.
6. Review of Project Documents
4.1.2 Application—The sequential activities described
6.1 Ideally, project documents, including roof component
herein are intended to produce an evaluation program, but all
shop drawings, will be available and accessible for review.The
activities may not be applicable or necessary for a particular
discussion in this section assumes that a project was organized
evaluation program. It is the responsibility of the professional
on a conventional owner/design professional/contractor model.
using this guide to determine the activities and sequence
Projects can be delivered in various ways, and the method used
necessary to perform an appropriate leakage evaluation for a
will dictate the appropriate organization of the project docu-
specific low-sloped roof on a building.
ments. The information discussed below should be available
4.1.3 Preliminary Assessment—A preliminary assessment
for review somewhere in the project documents.
may indicate that water leakage problems are limited to a
6.1.1 Design, Bidding, and Contract Documents—These
specific element or portion of a low-sloped roof. The evalua-
documents include architectural and engineering drawings,
tion of causes may be limited in scope, and the procedures
specifications, and may include correspondence, meeting min-
recommended herein abridged according to the professional
utes, addenda, substitution proposals, product literature, test
judgment of the investigator.Astatement stipulating the limits
reports, survey reports prepared by others, shop drawings, and
of the investigation should be included in the report.
so forth. They contain the information necessary to understand
4.1.4 Expectations—Expectations about the overall effec-
the performance criteria, the design intent, materials, and
tiveness of an evaluation program must be reasonable, and in
relationships among the roof components.
proportion to a defined scope of work. This guide is intended
6.1.1.1 Documents may be revised or supplemented over
to address leakage of a low-sloped roof system, leading to
the course of construction. Revisions to drawings are typically
conclusions that can generally be applied to similar or other
recorded by number and date, with a cross reference to other
locations on the roof. Since every possible location is not
accompanying documents. Reviewing all revisions and under-
included in an evaluation program, it is probable that every
standing the differences between them and the reason for the
leak source will not be identified. Leak sources that are
differences is part of the evaluation.
localized and unique may remain, and require specific and
6.1.1.2 Documents with the most recent issue date and the
localized evaluation effort.
highest revision number establish the requirements for the
4.2 This guide is not intended as a design guide. Reference
project. A set of documents marked “as-built” or “record set”
is made to design features of a low-sloped roof only for the
are intended to show the actual construction and may be
purpose of identifying items of interest for consideration in the
available.
evaluation process.
6.2 Referenced Codes and Standards—Project documents
4.3 This guide does not address leakage through walls not
usually contain references to regulatory codes, industry stan-
associated with roof construction, fenestration, or leakage
dards, or manufacturer installation requirements. Standards,
below-grade. It is not intended for use with structures designed
referenced codes, and manufacturer information often contain
to retain water, such as pools, fountains, and vegetative roofs.
default or minimum criteria to establish the performance
criteria for the roof. Conflicts between the referenced docu-
SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO AN EVALUATION
ments and those stated in the project documents should not be
5. Overview
assumed to be a cause of leakage without further investigation.
5.1 The methodology presented in this guide is intended to 6.2.1 Regulatory codes, industry standards, and manufac-
turer installation requirements change over time. The version
provide a systematic approach to evaluating roof leaks, and is
applicable to any low-sloped roof system. The sequence of of these documents examined as part of the review of project
documents should be those listed with dates in the project
activities is intended to lead to an accumulation of information
in an orderly and efficient manner, so that each step enhances documents, or if not listed with dates, those in effect when the
building permit was issued.
and supplements the information gathered in the preceding
step. 6.3 Submittals—Additional documents are generated after
5.1.1 Sequence of Activities—The recommended sequence the award of contracts and are submitted to the design
of activities, discussed in individual sections below are: professional for review and inclusion in the project record.The
5.1.1.1 Review of project documents. submittals usually apply to a specific material, component,
5.1.1.2 Evaluation of original roof design concept. assembly, or installation method, and the information con-
5.1.1.3 Determination and review of service history. tained will augment the project documents. There can be a
5.1.1.4 Inspection. number of revisions to submittals prior to final approval. The
5.1.1.5 Investigative testing. standardfortheprojectissetbythesubmittalsapprovedbythe
5.1.1.6 Analysis. designprofessional.Submittalscanincludeshopdrawings,test
D7053–07
reports, product literature, manufacturers’ recommendations, 8. Determination of Service History
installation and maintenance guidelines, warranties, etc.
8.1 Gathering information on the service history related to
6.3.1 Test reports provided by manufacturers and suppliers
leakage problems serves two purposes. First, patterns in the
should have been performed by an independent laboratory or
observed leakage and visible damage can provide an indication
witnessed by an independent agency (if requested by the
ofthecause(s)andwheretofocusaninvestigation.Second,the
customer). Review the test dates and the description of what
information provides a checklist against which failure theories
was tested to determine if and how the information actually
and conclusions can be evaluated.Acomprehensive diagnostic
applies to the project.
program should result in an explanation for most, if not all,
6.3.2 Manufacturers’ and suppliers’ information, and the
aspects of the observed leaks and damage.
exclusionary language in warranties, may suggest circum-
8.1.1 Document Physical Symptoms of Leaks:
stances under which one or more of the components may not
8.1.1.1 Makeadetailedvisualinspectionofboththeinterior
function properly. Project conditions should be evaluated to
and exterior. Locations that should be checked for indications
determine if an appropriate product selection had been made.
of leakage include but are not limited to:
6.3.3 Submittals should be reviewed for maintenance rec-
(1) Intersection of the roof with walls, parapets, and curbs.
ommendations and guidelines.
(2) Perimeter gravel stops.
6.4 Pre-Qualification and Mock-Up Reports—Compliance
(3) Roof drains, overflow drains, and scuppers.
with specific project requirements may have been demon-
(4) Base flashing.
strated by a mock-up test. The mock-up report should contain
(5) Roof slope.
a clear and complete description of changes necessary to pass
(6) Mechanical units.
the test. Project documents should incorporate these changes,
(7) Curbs and equipment rails.
and they should be reflected in the actual construction. Failure
(8) Expansion joints.
toincorporatethesechangesshouldbeconsideredasapossible
(9) Field seams and laps.
cause of water leakage.
(10) Punctures, splits, or tears in membrane or flashing.
6.5 Additional Construction Documents—Additional con-
(11) Utility and building service penetrations.
struction documents that record changes, decisions, and activi-
(12) Gutters and downspouts.
ties during the construction phase may include bulletins,
(13) Cap flashing.
requests for information (RFI), clarifications, change orders,
(14) Pitch pans.
directives, progress photos, inspection and quality assurance
(15) Door sills.
reports,testreports,meetingminutes,andcorrespondence.The
(16) Penthouse or parapet walls.
information in these documents may modify or supersede the
(17) Counterflashings.
design documents.
(18) Surface-mounted flashing.
6.6 Local Practices—An understanding of local practices
(19) Reglets.
will permit a thorough assessment of the project roof design
(20) Weep holes in masonry walls.
and construction. The actual construction may be influenced in
8.1.1.2 Notealllocationsofpastandexistingwaterdamage,
an undocumented manner by local practices.
including, but not limited to, the following:
6.7 Missing Documents-—Project documents may be un-
(1) Wet, damp, or water-saturated surfaces in the building
available or have missing parts. This situation will require the
interior.
determination of existing and as-built conditions.The informa-
(2)Colordifferencescausedbyorganicgrowth,staining,or
tion may need to be generated from observations and measure-
corrosion in the building interior.
ments of the building.
(3) Staining, indicating the flow or accumulation of water.
7. Evaluation of Design Concept
(4) Interior areas repaired or patched due to prior leakage.
(5) Blist
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