Building Works USA

Drove past the Ames Surgery Center recently. This was one of our recent building envelope commissioning jobs. It is a joint project between Mary Greeley Medical Center and McFarland Clinic.

Did some large building air leak testing in Ames Iowa this past week. Very impressive results!

Performed some AAMA 501.1 dynamic leak testing yesterday. 40 mph wind load and 8" per hour simuulated rain event. No leaks👍

Got our XRSS 5000 out to do an modified AAMA 501.1 test for a window manufacturers photo shoot. This is what a 58 mph wind does to the stream coming out of a fire hose.

For anybody that needs a quick and effective air filtration device, check out Corbet Lunsfords. This unit has MERV 12 filters that will filter out almost all mold spores and airborne particulates.
If you have concerns about mold growth or chemical substances, we can help you out with testing and remediating your indoor air quality concerns.

DIY Air Cleaner Filtration Rig | Healthy Indoors Corbett Lunsford, of the Building Performance Workshop, and the co-host of the PBS TV series, Home Diagnosiswith Grace Lunsford, brings you the next installment of the “Home Performance Channel – Healthy Indoors Minute.” Corbett’s friend Neil Comparetto came up with a very effective, very in...

Here is one of our building enclosure tests that we perform. The AAMA 501.1 Standard Test Method for Water Pe*******on of Windows, Curtain Walls and Doors Using Dynamic Pressure

AAMA 501.1 Field Testing Dynamic Water Pe*******on Testing Utilizing Our XRSS 5000 Squall Simulator: Water pe*******on testing consists of utilizing a portable wind generator and spr...

We tested three new homes in the Waverly, Sumner area this past week. All three were less than 25% of allowed air changes under 2012 International Energy Code Compliance. If you are looking for this same level of detail in new construction or remodeling, please feel free to contact me for a list of top-notch contractors at 319-231-9874

4 Plex 2012 IECC Analysis

Here are a few photos of a 4-plex we tested for the 2012 IECC energy code. The allowed air leakage rate is 4.0 Air Changes per Hour (ACH). This unit was built in 2016/2017 and tested at 9.2 ACH, well above the air changes allowed under the code in place at time of construction. We were not asked to come back and test it a third time. The builder did find someone to test it and it passed. It's highly likely the contractor paid another firm to get this one to pass.
In an effort to help the contractor correct issues with air leakage, we provided thermal imaging to help identify points of air leakage through the building enclosure.
Make sure you know what you are getting when buying a new or previously built home or commercial property.

This collection of images is of a church bell tower built in 1928. They started having leaks about 10 years ago, a succession of contractors came along and attempted to "fix" the water intrusion issues. Each fix essentially added to the issues of "leaks".
The biggest problem was that each one created a more semi--conditioned space than the last one. Channel airflow from the conditioned space continued to carry air transported v***r up through the multiple floors of the bell towers, resulting in condensation and subsequent freezing and thawing of ice. This destroyed the mortar and also caused water damage in the floors, ceilings and walls below.
The fix for this project was to remove all "improvements" and return the structure to original construction and air flow management as it was at the time it was built.