Service · Defect investigations
Façade defect investigations: find the cause, not just the symptom.
Leaks, staining, cracking, failed seals and breakages are signs, not diagnoses. We establish what has gone wrong, why, and what it will take to put it right, so repairs fix the problem the first time.
What we investigate
- Water ingress and leaks through curtain walling, windows, cladding, roofs, rooflights and terraces.
- Glazing defects, including failed sealed units, gasket and sealant failures and glass breakage.
- Cladding and rainscreen defects, such as loose or damaged panels, fixing failures and staining.
- Brickwork, stone and precast issues, including cracking, movement and spalling.
- Roof defects on pitched and flat roofs, including slates, leadwork, gutters and outlets.
- Thermal performance problems: heat loss, condensation, air leakage and missing insulation.
How we diagnose
We begin with the history: when the problem started, where it shows, the weather when it appears and what has already been tried. On site we combine close-up inspection with the right diagnostic tools for the problem, which may include thermographic (thermal imaging) surveys, moisture readings, water testing of specific joints and targeted opening-up.
The aim is a clear root cause: design, workmanship, materials, damage or lack of maintenance. That matters because it decides who is responsible and what repair will actually work.
Base build and warranty defects
On newer buildings, defects that were not picked up during construction often appear in the first years of service. Establishing whether a problem is a design issue, a workmanship issue or damage can quickly become a contractual dispute. We investigate quickly, set out responsibility and the accepted repair scope, and help drive the matter to a conclusion.
We also carry out defects liability period and end-of-warranty inspections, so in-scope defects are raised while the contractor or warranty provider can still be asked to put them right at no cost to you.
What you receive
- A clear explanation of the defect and its root cause, with photographs and marked-up drawings.
- A practical repair strategy, with options and priorities where there is more than one way forward.
- Where needed, budget costs and a specification for the repair works.
Recent investigations
An intrusive survey of a waterside hotel roof, inside and out, across four roof zones in three days, mobilised over Christmas and reported two weeks later with a zone-by-zone repair strategy.
Frequently asked questions
How do you find the source of a façade leak?
By combining the history of the leak with close-up inspection and, where needed, water testing of specific joints, moisture readings, thermal imaging and targeted opening-up. The aim is to find the root cause rather than seal the symptom.
Can you tell us who is responsible for a defect?
We establish the technical cause, for example design, workmanship, materials or damage. That evidence is what allows responsibility to be agreed, and we can support negotiations or formal proceedings if it is disputed.
What is an end-of-warranty inspection?
An inspection carried out before a defects liability or warranty period ends, so that any in-scope defects can be raised with the contractor or warranty provider while they are still responsible for putting them right.
Do you carry out thermographic surveys?
Yes. Thermal imaging is a quick way to identify insulation gaps, damp, air leakage and heat loss, and is often used alongside close-up inspection.
Related services and case studies
Talk to us
Got a leak or defect you need diagnosed?
Tell us about the building and what you need to know. We aim to respond within one working day.