Forensic Assessment of Mid-Rise and Multi-Story Buildings in Tampa, Florida
← Florida Building Envelope Investigations (Hub Page)
A Tampa building envelope investigation is required when water intrusion, exterior cracking, or concealed
moisture begins affecting multi-story buildings. In Tampa, repeated “repairs” often fail because the
building envelope stops functioning as a system — water is driven into defects under pressure, then migrates
laterally and vertically through connected cavities.
Foundation Waterproofing 101, LLC performs forensic building envelope investigations to determine
how, where, and why moisture is entering — and why prior repairs often do not stop continued intrusion.
Tampa Exposure Conditions That Drive Recurring Intrusion
Tampa buildings commonly experience water intrusion patterns tied to wind-driven rain, long wet seasons, and repeated exterior
repainting cycles that conceal cracking and failed terminations. Even when leaks present as “window leaks,” the source is often a
transition failure where water is driven behind coatings and into connected cavities.
Recurring intrusion is frequently observed on primary wind-exposed elevations, at architectural bands and bump-outs, and at
window perimeter interfaces where drainage paths were never properly detailed or were later compromised by patch repairs.
Why Building Envelope Failures Are Common in Tampa
Moisture migration and pressure-driven intrusion mechanisms observed in Tampa buildings align with building science research and
field conditions common to Florida coastal environments, including wind-driven rain events and detailing deficiencies at façade
transitions.
Reference:
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Seasonal wind-driven rain events and storm conditions
- Pressure differentials across exterior wall assemblies
- High ambient humidity and vapor drive
- Thermal expansion/contraction and movement cracking
- Aging stucco, EIFS, and coating systems
- Repeated repainting without corrective flashing/drip detailing
These forces routinely overwhelm cracked exterior walls, architectural projections, and flashing terminations — particularly on primary
wind-exposed elevations.
What Is a Tampa Building Envelope Investigation?
Our findings are evaluated in the context of applicable
Florida Building Code (FBC)
requirements, construction-era standards, and documented field conditions.
A building envelope investigation evaluates the entire exterior moisture barrier system, not just visible symptoms.
- Exterior wall assemblies and transitions
- Architectural bands, bump-outs, ledges, and projections
- Windows, penetrations, sealants, and perimeter interfaces
- Flashing integration and drip edge geometry
- Exterior cracking and coating integrity
- Concealed wall cavities and inter-floor moisture migration
The objective is to identify failure mechanisms, not cosmetic defects.
How We Confirm the Source (Not Just the Symptom)
Our approach focuses on cause-and-effect documentation: mapping symptoms, identifying probable pathways, and confirming mechanisms through
targeted testing and field verification. When appropriate, we use controlled water testing, moisture mapping, and selective intrusive
verification to document concealed conditions inside wall assemblies.
Forensic Reporting & Litigation-Aware Documentation
Our investigations are frequently performed with the understanding that findings may be relied upon for insurance review, engineering
coordination, or potential litigation. Reports emphasize cause-and-effect documentation, photo evidence, moisture data, and clear
identification of intrusion mechanisms — not surface-level observations.
We routinely prepare formal written reports suitable for:
- Attorney review and dispute resolution
- Insurance and claim support
- Engineering evaluation and coordination
- HOA and ownership decision-making
- Capital planning and repair justification
Our role is to document what is occurring, why it is occurring, and what technical conditions must be corrected to stop continued intrusion —
independent of any specific contractor or repair scope.
Florida Licensure & Professional Credentials
Foundation Waterproofing 101, LLC operates as a Florida Licensed Specialty Contractor under:
Florida Specialty Contractor License: CGC1539326 —
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
For projects requiring licensed engineering analysis, stamped design, or code-based calculations, we coordinate with and reference our
affiliated engineering firm,
Foundation Masters.
Common Tampa Building Envelope Failures We Document
Wind-Driven Rain Intrusion
Rain is forced laterally and upward into cracks, joints, and improperly terminated assemblies — bypassing surface coatings and sealants under pressure.
Architectural Band & Bump-Out Failures
- Lack of positive slope
- Water trapping and inward redirection
- Connected wall cavities across floors
- Concealed multi-unit moisture pathways
Exterior Cracking
Cracking commonly results from differential movement, thermal cycling, shrinkage, or substrate failure. Even hairline cracks can admit water under pressure.
Improper or Missing Flashing
- Reverse-lapped flashing
- Embedded metal without drip edges
- Face-sealed terminations
- Corroded flashing concealed beneath coatings
Saturated Wall Cavities
- Fully saturated framing
- Wet insulation and sheathing
- Vertical and lateral moisture migration
- Conditions supporting microbial growth
High-Rise and Multi-Story Building Risks
Wind-driven rain exposure and façade performance issues in multi-story buildings are consistent with
FEMA Building Science guidance
related to exterior wall systems and pressure-driven moisture intrusion.
- Wind pressure increases with elevation
- Architectural elements span multiple floors
- Moisture migrates vertically and laterally
- Partial or floor-by-floor repairs commonly fail
When architectural features connect multiple units, localized repairs rarely stop water movement.
What You Receive
- Photographic documentation of observed conditions and defect locations
- Moisture data and mapping of affected areas
- Identification of likely intrusion pathways and failure mechanisms
- Prior repair review: why past repairs did not stop intrusion
- Clear recommendations for what conditions must be corrected to stop recurrence
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide repair specifications?
We document failure mechanisms and the conditions that must be corrected. If stamped design or engineered details are required, we coordinate through
Foundation Masters.
Can you determine whether the leak is from windows or the wall assembly?
Yes. Many “window leaks” originate at wall transitions, flashing terminations, or concealed pathways. Our process is built to differentiate source from
symptom.
Will your report support insurance or attorney review?
Our documentation is prepared with litigation-awareness: photo evidence, data, and mechanism-based findings intended to be reviewable and defensible.
Why do past repairs often fail?
Surface patching and sealant-only repairs often ignore hidden pathways, reverse laps, missing drip geometry, and connected cavities that move water beyond
the repair area.
Florida Service Areas
When to Schedule a Tampa Building Envelope Investigation
- Recurring paint or coating failure
- Interior moisture with no visible leak source
- Mold-related unit shutdowns
- Repeated unsuccessful repairs
- Exterior cracking that continues to reappear
- Water intrusion around architectural bands, windows, and transitions
Schedule a Tampa Building Envelope Investigation
We don’t guess.
We test.
We document.
We explain why your building is failing — and what actually stops it.