Detect facade leaks smartly and quickly with Ultrices leak detection. We check the facade, masonry, joints, window frames, lead flashing, and cladding so that you stay ahead of moisture, water infiltration, and damage.
Using thermography, smoke test, endoscopy, moisture measurement, and spray test, we locate the source in cavity walls, expansion joints, sealant joints, penetrations, chimneys, and rainwater drains, without hacking or breaking.
You receive a clear report with photos and immediate advice. If you want to be sure, read our Google reviews 5/5 at experiences with detecting facade leaks and plan your research.
Table of contents
What is detecting a facade leak and why it matters
Facade leakage detection involves the targeted and non-destructive identification of the source of water infiltration within the facade envelope, cavity wall, and connections around window frames and penetrations. At Ultrices Leak Detection, we combine building physics and geometry to precisely locate facade leaks, allowing you to repair them quickly and safely without unnecessary demolition work. We work according to the principles of NEN 2778 for moisture in buildings and apply thermal inspections in line with NEN EN 13187. This provides you with certainty, your insurer with clarity, and the repairer with a clear approach.
Causes and types of facade leakage that we detect daily
- Penetration of the facade due to driving rainRain penetration reaches the inner wall through porous masonry, damaged jointing, or a missing hydrophobic layer. Consider exposed west-facing facades during strong winds according to KNMI precipitation patterns.
- Leakage around window frames and sills: Faulty or outdated sealant joints, missing water barriers, and poor slope in composite or natural stone window sills allow water to penetrate.
- Cracking and dilatationsHairline cracks in brick or concrete, deteriorated expansion joints, and corrosion of cavity wall ties create capillary pathways for moisture.
- Cavity wall problemsBridging caused by insulation, contamination in the cavity, defective lead flashing, or a leaky rainwater drain in the cavity cause damp spots and mold.
- Condensation and thermal bridgeHeat leaks and vapor pressure gradient lead to internal condensation that resembles a leak but requires a different solution.
How we detect facade leaks without hacking or breaking
Our method is systematic, reproducible, and supported by measurement data. We combine visual structural inspection with advanced sensor technology and targeted simulations of rain load.
- Intake and fileWe discuss complaints, photos, year of construction, facade type, and previous repairs, and analyze orientation and wind load.
- Visual scan outside and insideWe inspect masonry, pointing, lead flashing, water sills, sealant joints, rainwater drainage, and connections around window frames and penetrations.
- Moisture measurements and saltsWe measure contact and capacitive moisture, record moisture profiles, and check for hygroscopic salts and efflorescence.
- Thermography and infraredWe create thermal images to visualize moisture trails, thermal bridges, and leaky connections using certified equipment.
- Targeted load testWe test with a water test and dye tracer or a smoke test and endoscopy in the cavity to unequivocally confirm the leak route.
Leak detection process request
Techniques and tools for leak detection on the facade
- Infrared thermographyWith a calibration-class camera, we map temperature gradients and identify moisture patterns and thermal bridges.
- Endoscopy cavityThrough a small inspection hatch, we look into the cavity for contamination, wet insulation, cracks, and the position of cavity anchors and lead flashing.
- Waterproof and dyeTargeted spraying per detail and dye tracing through sealant seams, joints, and connections proves the exact leak route.
- Smoke and pressure proofAirtightness leaks around window frames and facade panels become visible due to smoke displacement and pressure differences.
- Material and salt analysisDetection of nitrates and sulfates and assessment of the hydrophobic status of the masonry substantiates the diagnosis.
If you want to dive deeper into rain load and masonry facades, feel free to read on at everything about dampness in facadesTo visualize thermal bridges and moisture barriers, we show you step by step how we do this in our infrared facade scanAnd if there is an immediate risk of consequential damage due to continuous water ingress, then contact our emergency service for facade leak detection in.
Signs indicating a leak in the facade
- Damp plaster and mold: Dark edges, mold spots around window frames or on inside corners that return after rain.
- Salt efflorescence and peeling paint: White crystals on brick and peeling paint or stucco caused by salts and moisture transport.
- Cold zones on the wallCold areas during thermography indicate wet spots; water has a higher heat capacity than dry material.
- Damp cavity or insulation: Sound of water in the cavity or saturated mineral wool that sags and increases heat loss.
Practical example and result
In a 1960s corner house with brick and open mortar joints, moisture repeatedly returned during westerly winds. Using thermography and a water test per construction detail, we found a leaking lead flashing above the window frame and cracked jointing below the drip edge. After repairing the flashing, locally renewing the jointing, and applying a vapor-permeable hydrophobic layer, the facade remained dry. Our before-and-after measurements showed a clear decrease in the moisture percentage and a stable indoor climate.
Costs, insurance and expert report
- Transparent price structureYou receive insight into the research, travel time, and reporting in advance. No surprises afterwards.
- Insurance-ready reportWithin three days, you will receive a comprehensive expert report with photos, measurement data, and repair advice, tailored to insurer requirements.
- Substantiation according to standardsIn the report, we refer to relevant building physics principles and applicable NEN guidelines for moisture and thermography.
- No cure no pay: No solution, no payment, with a guarantee of coverage and a success rate of ninety-nine percent.
If you want quick clarity regarding your facade, request a while you're at the same time. Free quote within 24 hours for facade leak detection to, or call or WhatsApp 085 2505 217 or email info@Ultriceslekdetectie.nl.
Why Ultrices leak detection for detecting facade leaks
- Experience and certification: VCA VOL and NEN 3140 certified team with more than fifteen years of experience in facade and cavity wall leak detection for residential and commercial clients.
- Fast and nationwide: Twenty-four-seven service, emergency service, and usually on-site within one hour thanks to our nationwide network.
- State-of-the-art equipment: Professional thermographic cameras, endoscopy, dye tracing, and data logging for water and heat behavior.
- Without hacking or breakingWe diagnose non-invasively, aiming for targeted recovery with minimal disruption.
- Proven customer satisfaction: Five out of five stars in reviews and long-term partnership with insurers and recovery partners.
With Ultrices leak detection, you choose a partner who approaches facade leak detection as a precise craft. We combine measurement data with structural knowledge, provide clear advice, and ensure your facade is resistant to rain penetration and changing seasons.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my facade only leak when it rains, and how do you tell the difference between this and condensation or rising damp?
During driving rain, wind forces water into hairline cracks in the mortar joints, open weep holes, poorly fitted window frames and sealant joints, or along a defective damp-proof course or lead flashing. After showers, you will see spreading damp patches, dark streaks under window sills, mold growth, and a musty odor. In the cavity, insulation can become wet, causing the inner wall to remain damp for a long time.
Condensation primarily forms at thermal bridges and due to poor ventilation, manifesting as dew on cold surfaces with no direct connection to rain. We assess this from a building physics perspective according to NEN 2778 and establish the cause using moisture measurements, thermography, and cavity inspection. If you want to delve deeper into rain penetration, read on via recognizing rain penetration on facades.
How do you trace a facade leak without demolition work, and what techniques do you use?
We work step-by-step with non-destructive leak detection. After the intake and structural analysis, a visual inspection of details such as expansion joints, window sill stones, and frame supports follows, then endoscopy in the cavity, thermographic examination with a FLIR camera, and accurate moisture measurements. Where necessary, we use a smoke test in the cavity, a dye tracer, or a controlled spray test per detail to prove the leak route.
Our approach ensures high accuracy without any demolition or breaking. With over fifteen years of experience, VCA VOL and NEN 3140 certification, and professional measuring equipment, we achieve a ninety-nine percent success rate. Within three days, you will receive an expert report with photos, measurement charts, and repair advice. Read how we carry this out via Facade leak detection without hacking.
How much does it cost to detect a facade leak and how does reimbursement work through your insurance?
The investment depends on the size of the property, the accessibility of the facade, the number of details to be tested, and the need for additional tests such as smoke or spray tests. You will receive a free and clear proposal within twenty-four hours. Thanks to the no cure no pay investigation at Ultrices Leak Detection, you are one hundred percent risk-free; if we cannot demonstrate the cause, you pay nothing.
Building insurance policies often cover consequential damage and, increasingly, detection costs, provided they are substantiated by a report. We work with insurers and deliver a complete dossier within three days containing measurements, photos, and conclusions to support the claim. View our indications and options per investigation via rates for leak detection on the facade.
How quickly can you arrive in case of an emergency, and when will you receive the leak detection report?
In the event of an active leak or forecast rain, we dispatch a specialist nationwide who is usually on-site within an hour, seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day. We start the diagnosis immediately and take emergency measures if necessary, such as temporarily sealing a leaking sealant joint or shielding critical expansion joints, so that you can quickly limit damage.
You will receive a clear on-site plan of action and a comprehensive expert report within three days, including thermographic images, cavity wall photos, moisture maps, and repair recommendations per facade detail. We also assist you with the claim to your insurer. If you want to know exactly what is included, please see report for insurance against facade leakage.