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UTSA John Peace Library Water Infiltration Investigation

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:25:17 GMT

What the Client Was Experiencing

The UTSA John Peace Library was dealing with water infiltration concerns that required a closer evaluation of the curtain wall assembly. In a building like this, leaks may appear to come from the window system, but the actual source is not always obvious from interior symptoms alone. Water can travel through adjacent wall components, transitions, sealant joints, or surrounding envelope details before it becomes visible inside.

The goal of this investigation was to determine whether the curtain wall was allowing water intrusion under test conditions, identify how the assembly performed under pressure and spray testing, and help the client move closer to the actual source of the problem.

Our Water Infiltration Testing Approach

Building Envelope Solutions carried out a structured water infiltration investigation at the UTSA John Peace Library in San Antonio. According to the project PDF, the procedure included four major phases: selection of the curtain wall assembly, construction of the air chamber frame wall, air chamber and equipment calibration, and water infiltration testing using ASTM E783, ASTM E1105, and AAMA 501.2.

Testing focused on the library’s curtain wall areas at both the north and south ends of the building. A custom-built air chamber was constructed so the team could depressurize the assembly and evaluate air and water performance under controlled conditions. The investigation also included calibration of the pressurized water spray rack equipment and the spray nozzle equipment used during the testing process.

This kind of process is important because building envelope leaks are often misdiagnosed . Without controlled testing, it is easy to assume the visible window area is the source when the actual water entry path may be elsewhere in the wall assembly.

What Building Envelope Solutions Found

The field testing helped narrow down whether the curtain wall glazing system itself was responsible for the water infiltration concerns. During ASTM E1105 curtain wall spray rack testing, multiple water intrusions were observed, confirming that the building was experiencing active water entry under test conditions.

However, the more targeted AAMA 501.2 isolation testing produced an important finding. When the curtain wall glazing was isolated for diagnostic purposes, no water intrusions were observed. Based on that outcome, the window system was eliminated as the primary source of water infiltration.

That distinction matters. It means the symptoms seen around the curtain wall did not automatically mean the glazing assembly itself had failed . Instead, the investigation helped separate the visible area of concern from the actual source path, which is exactly what a building envelope consultant is hired to determine.

How We Helped

This project gave the UTSA team more than a simple confirmation that water intrusion existed. It provided a more reliable basis for decision-making by showing that the curtain wall glazing was not the source of the leak under isolated test conditions. That allowed the client to avoid unnecessary assumptions and focus attention on surrounding building envelope conditions that may have been contributing to the infiltration.

For owners, facility teams, and contractors, this kind of outcome is valuable because it reduces guesswork. Instead of spending time and money replacing or repairing the wrong component, they can use testing results to guide the next phase of investigation and repair planning with greater confidence.

Why This Matters for Commercial and Institutional Buildings

Water infiltration in a library, university, office, or other commercial property can lead to more than cosmetic staining. Ongoing moisture intrusion can affect interior finishes, disrupt operations, create maintenance costs, and contribute to longer-term deterioration if the true source is not identified.

This UTSA John Peace Library case study shows why controlled testing matters . ASTM and AAMA procedures help building owners move beyond surface-level assumptions and understand how the envelope is actually performing. When a consultant can isolate the system, reproduce leakage, and rule out components that are not failing, the repair strategy becomes much more focused and effective.

Need Water Intrusion Testing in San Antonio?

If your commercial, educational, or institutional building is experiencing recurring leaks, wall-system moisture issues, or unresolved water intrusion around windows or curtain walls, Building Envelope Solutions can help identify the source and guide the next step. Contact our team to schedule water infiltration testing , curtain wall diagnostics, or building envelope consulting in San Antonio . The company serves the San Antonio market and offers specialized building envelope consulting services from its local office.

Ashley Homestore Water Intrusion Investigation in San Antonio

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 18:46:15 GMT

What the Client Was Experiencing

Ashley Homestore had reported water intrusion concerns associated with multiple areas of the atrium tower. From a building envelope standpoint, that type of complaint can point to more than one possible failure point. Leaks around an atrium or storefront assembly may be related to the wall system, sealants, transitions above the fenestration, or other details that are not obvious from the interior alone.

The priority on this project was to determine whether active water intrusion could be confirmed , narrow down where it was occurring, and give the client a more reliable basis for next-step repairs.

Our Water Intrusion Testing Approach

Building Envelope Solutions performed targeted diagnostic testing at the atrium tower as part of a commercial water intrusion investigation. Our tests included: AAMA 501, ASTM E1186, and ASTM E1105.

Rather than treating the issue as a generic leak complaint, the testing was used to compare building faces, observe how the assembly responded, and identify whether moisture entry could be reproduced in specific locations.

This type of work is important because commercial leak complaints are frequently misdiagnosed. A repair contractor may focus on the first visible symptom, while the true entry path may be higher up the wall, at a transition, or at a detail that was installed incorrectly. A structured testing process helps the owner move closer to the root cause instead of guessing.

What Building Envelope Solutions Found

The investigation helped separate where intrusion was occurring and where it was not. Testing did not show water intrusion on the north face during the observed conditions. By contrast, active intrusion was observed on the east side of the atrium tower above the windows , confirming that the problem was tied to specific envelope conditions rather than a uniform issue across the entire tower.

The field observations also pointed to visible distress at the exterior. Cracking was noted above the windows in the area of concern, and sealant-related defects were observed, including continuity issues at recent sealant work. Taken together, those findings supported the conclusion that the client was dealing with more than a surface stain or isolated maintenance issue. The conditions indicated a building envelope problem that needed a defined repair plan.

How We Helped

The value of this project was not just in confirming that water intrusion existed. It was in helping the client understand where the issue was occurring, what visible conditions were contributing to the problem, and what needed to happen next to protect the building.

Based on the findings, Building Envelope Solutions recommended a Scope of Work for EIFS wall repair at the affected window fenestrations along with quality assurance testing. Additional testing was also recommended in areas that required man-lift access so the owner could work toward a more complete and watertight building envelope.

That kind of guidance helps owners avoid incomplete repairs, repeated patchwork, and unnecessary spending . Instead of moving forward with assumptions, the client was left with a clearer path for repair planning and follow-up evaluation.

Why This Matters for Commercial Properties

Water intrusion problems in San Antonio commercial buildings are rarely limited to what is visible inside the space. Heat, weather exposure, material movement, sealant aging, and installation deviations can all contribute to leaks around walls, glazing systems, and roof-to-wall transitions. Without proper testing, a property owner may end up fixing symptoms instead of the actual source.

This Ashley Homestore project is a strong example of why commercial leak investigation should focus on building envelope performance, not just surface-level repair. When a consultant can isolate the area of intrusion and connect it to actionable next steps, the owner is in a far better position to protect the property and budget.

Need Water Intrusion Testing in San Antonio?

If your building is dealing with recurring leaks, moisture around windows, wall-system concerns, or unresolved water intrusion, Building Envelope Solutions can help you diagnose the issue and plan the right next step. Contact our team to schedule water intrusion testing, leak investigation, or a broader building envelope assessment in the San Antonio area.