We provide detailed on-site investigation services that deliver thorough, accurate, and defensible conclusions regarding a building envelope’s performance. Our investigative reports combine rigorous analysis with clear, actionable insights, ensuring that findings are both technically sound and accessible.
Many leak problems are misdiagnosed, leading to repeated repair attempts that fail to resolve the actual issue. That’s where Hightower Labs comes in.
Hightower Labs specializes in accurate, data-driven leak investigations that pinpoint the true source of leaks, allowing building owners and managers to take targeted, cost-effective action.
Limited Diagnostic Visit
For smaller buildings, isolated leaks, or early-stage evaluation. Includes document/photo review, one site visit, visual assessment, limited diagnostic testing where authorized, and a short findings summary.
Targeted Leak Investigation
For recurring or disputed water intrusion. Includes pre-review, controlled testing, field documentation, likely failure mechanism analysis, and a written findings memorandum.
Comprehensive Forensic Investigation
For complex buildings, multiple leak locations, litigation-sensitive conditions, or major repair planning. Includes deeper document review, expanded testing, photo documentation, annotated findings, and formal reporting.
Many leak problems are repaired before they are understood. Sealant is added, components are patched, and isolated symptoms are treated without confirming the actual path of water entry or migration.
HTL’s role is to slow that process down enough to produce useful evidence: what was observed, what was tested, what leaked, what did not leak, and which failure mechanisms are most consistent with the available information.
Get Ahead of Your Leak Problems Before They Get WorseIf you’re dealing with a persistent leak issue—or want to proactively assess your building’s envelope before damage occurs—Hightower Labs is here to help. Contact Us TodayE-mail: service@hightower-labs.com Phone: 312.897.3742 |
We provide detailed on-site investigation services that deliver thorough, accurate, and defensible conclusions regarding a building envelope’s performance. Our investigative reports combine rigorous analysis with clear, actionable insights, ensuring that findings are both technically sound and accessible.
Our reports have been described as "extremely thorough," and we take pride in that. Occasionally, they even include hand-drawn sketches, a nod to the art of field documentation. Every leak issue is different, and every investigation is and tailored to the unique conditions of each project.
Balancing efficiency and thoroughness, all reports feature:
- Executive Summaries for quick reference.
High-resolution photos and illustrations to support findings and accommodate various levels of reading enthusiasm.
Our reports have been described as "extremely thorough," and we take pride in that. Occasionally, they even include hand-drawn sketches, a nod to the art of field documentation. Every leak issue is different, and every investigation is and tailored to the unique conditions of each project.
Whether you need an independent performance verification, forensic investigation, or expert documentation of building envelope conditions, Hightower Labs delivers clarity where it matters most.
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Resolve the Leak
Move projects beyond speculation
Our investigation identifies causes, phenomena, and points of origin contributing to the leak so that definitive and lasting resolution can be achieved.
Our investigations are designed to move projects beyond speculation by documenting observed conditions, tested leak paths, and likely failure mechanisms.
40% of HTL leak investigations involve new buildings occupied for less than five years.
Building Air Tightness Evaluation
New Code Adoption & Enforcement
In many cases, air flow management is the most cost-efficient control of energy exhausted to condition interior environments.
The vast majority of multistory projects constructed in the U.S. over the last two decades have received no in situ air tightness evaluations and are completely blind to its effects on energy waste, IAQ, and occupant comfort.
Helping building stakeholders manage energy costs, environmental impacts, and occupant comfort.
HTL can assist with identifying thermal bridging and other areas of concern leading to fenestration and exterior wall assemblies under-performing in the increasingly critical thermal capacity.
Our investigation and evaluation processes can provide substantive, accurate measurements of envelope thermal transmittance by measuring the enclosure's most pertinent properties (R-value and air infiltration). If the items of concern are a product of mechanical systems or use of space, then we can assist with identifying these causes as well.
Everything else closing out the envelope commissioning and turnover process.
Assistance with operable vent and doorway operation and hardware.
Review of mechanical systems for design cohesion with envelope performance.
Recent investigation report selections. Copy has been obscured for the anonymity of the highlighted projects. Refer to HTL case studies for more in-depth analysis, or request a copy of a full sample report here
Independent studies, industry papers, slideshows, video presentations, and other content benefiting those in the industry with the patience to read five pages, and diagrams for the developers.
Industry-wide, invalid and improperly executed ASTM E783 test data are not providing a reliably accurate accounting of the building's air-tightness on window wall and curtain wall systems comprising the majority of envelopes built this century and, consequently, building stakeholders are blind to their property's performance.
In this Notes From The Field article, HTL checks in on the U.S. construction industry's widespread use and mis-use of structural glazing systems.
The BEAM03 procedure introduces a novel approach to evaluating building envelope water resistivity, addressing critical gaps in traditional QAQC practices. BEAM03 delivers reliable, repeatable data for assessing large-scale envelope performance, including complex geometries and system transitions.
Improve envelope quality, reduce uncertainty, and verify installed performance with independent building envelope testing and field QA/QC support.
