Façades and roofs are the primary weather barriers protecting a building. When they fail, water ingress, corrosion, and thermal inefficiency quickly follow. Many failures remain hidden within assemblies — undetectable until they cause costly damage. Without controlled, standards-based testing, repairs risk missing the root cause or failing under real-world conditions.
Atomic Projects' Façade & Roof Testing Reports provide building owners, engineers, and insurers with evidence-backed performance data. We test under replicable, measurable, and documented conditions, ensuring repairs are justified, precise, and compliant.
1. Testing Methods We Deploy
- Static water penetration testing (AS/NZS 4284, ASTM E1105) to verify waterproofing performance.
- Hose stream testing to simulate wind-driven rain on cladding systems.
- Spray rack testing for windows, curtain walls, and glazing assemblies.
- Flood testing for flat roofs, podium decks, and membranes.
- Infrared thermography to detect trapped moisture and insulation failures without invasive works.
2. Targeted Building Elements
- Cladding panels, curtain walls, and rain screen systems.
- Roofing systems — both metal and membrane-based.
- Parapet walls, cappings, and flashings.
- Windows, doors, and joint sealants.
3. Standards & Compliance
- Test procedures are fully documented.
- Measurements are calibrated and traceable.
- Results are defensible in disputes and insurance claims.
4. Reporting Deliverables
- Annotated photos of test setups and results.
- Graphs and tables summarising moisture readings, leak locations, and test outcomes.
- Analysis linking failures to likely defect types (e.g., flashing termination, sealant breakdown).
- Recommendations for corrective action and estimated scope of works.
5. Integration with Repair Scopes
- Recommendations aligned with available access and staging plans.
- Compatible materials and installation techniques suggested.
- Repair scopes address both primary failures and secondary vulnerabilities uncovered during testing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should façade and roof testing be carried out?
Testing is most valuable in three scenarios: before a major repair programme to confirm the scope targets the actual failure points; after repairs are completed to verify performance; and in dispute or insurance contexts where defensible, objective evidence of failure is required. Early testing prevents expensive repairs being carried out in the wrong location.
What is the difference between hose stream testing and spray rack testing?
Hose stream testing simulates wind-driven rain by directing a pressurised stream of water at a cladding surface — it is typically used to replicate real-world leak conditions at specific joints or interfaces. Spray rack testing uses a calibrated rack that delivers a uniform spray across a window or glazing assembly under controlled static pressure, in accordance with AS/NZS 4284 or ASTM E1105. Both generate documented, repeatable results.
Can infrared thermography detect all moisture behind a wall?
Thermal imaging identifies temperature differentials that indicate the presence of moisture — it is highly effective for mapping ingress extent and identifying hidden wet areas behind cladding, ceilings, and walls. However, it is most accurate under the right temperature differential conditions and should be combined with calibrated moisture meter readings for definitive results. We use both methods together for comprehensive mapping.
Will testing damage the building?
Most of the testing methods we use are non-destructive — spray and hose testing is external only, and infrared is entirely non-contact. Flood testing for flat roofs requires temporary plugging of drains but causes no damage to the membrane or finishes if carried out correctly. Where any penetration or access hole is required, we make good all openings to an appropriate standard.
Are the test results accepted by courts and insurers?
Yes. Because our testing follows documented, recognised protocols (AS/NZS 4284, ASTM E1105, or equivalent), results are reproducible, traceable, and therefore defensible in NCAT proceedings, insurance assessments, and mediations. We provide the complete testing methodology and raw data alongside the report so that the process can be independently reviewed if required.
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