Building Envelope Consultant & Leak Investigations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Find the Cause Before You Pay for the Repair
Water intrusion, roof and wall leaks, window failures, moisture damage and insurance claim documentation, investigated with field testing and explained in plain language.
Full investigations with a written report start at $3,500. Homeowners, condo associations, property managers, architects and attorneys.
Water is getting in somewhere. Before anyone tears off siding or sells you a new roof, it is worth finding out exactly where the water is coming from and why. That is what a building envelope investigation does.
The building envelope is everything that keeps weather out: the roof, walls, windows, doors, flashing, sealants and the water barrier behind the siding. Most leaks do not start where the stain shows up. They start at a transition, where one system meets another and a detail was missed.
We Find the Cause, Not Just the Damage
Patching the stain or painting over soft wood does not fix anything. If the water source is still there, the problem comes back and usually gets worse behind the finishes. Our job is to find the source, document it, and tell you what it will take to fix it right.
Here are conditions we find over and over on Rhode Island homes:
Where a roof meets a wall, the flashing has to be installed correctly and the shingles cut back per the manufacturer's details. When it is not, the wall below rots even on a brand new roof.
Missing or failed sill flashing, open joints and old sealant let water into the framing under the window. The rot is often far bigger than what shows on the outside.
Vents, pipes, lights and wires through the wall that were never sealed or flashed. Small openings, steady water.
House wrap that is torn, reverse-lapped or not tied into the windows and flashing. Water that gets behind the siding has nowhere to go but into the wall.
How We Investigate
- Review the history. What you have seen, when it leaks, past repairs, drawings and any prior inspection reports.
- Visual inspection of the roof, walls, windows, doors, flashing and sealants, inside and out.
- Infrared thermography to find temperature patterns that point to moisture or air leakage. Nick is a Level 1 Thermographer and a Certified Infrared Moisture Surveyor.
- Moisture meter readings to confirm wet materials at the suspect areas.
- Controlled water testing when we need to reproduce the leak and pinpoint the source.
- Exploratory openings when the concealed condition has to be seen to be understood.
What You Get
- A written report: what we observed, what it means, and what we recommend
- Photos and infrared images of the problem areas
- Repairs listed in order of priority, so the urgent items get done first
- A preliminary repair budget when you need one for planning or insurance
- A repair scope you can use to get comparable bids, if you want them
Insurance Claims and Denied Claims
When water damage leads to an insurance claim, the question is usually what caused it and when. We investigate and document the cause of the damage: photos, infrared images, moisture readings, and a written report explaining what we found. We can meet your insurance adjuster on site, prepare a repair scope and estimate, and give a second opinion when a claim has been denied for reasons like "wear and tear" or "long-term leakage."
We do not negotiate or settle insurance claims. If you need someone to do that, we can work alongside your licensed public adjuster or attorney.
Who We Work With
Homeowners with a leak that keeps coming back. Buyers and sellers who want a second opinion on an inspection report. Condo associations and property managers. Architects, attorneys and general contractors who need an independent look at a building enclosure problem. We work on single-family homes, multifamily buildings and commercial buildings throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Repair Design, Bidding and Construction Oversight
Once the cause is understood, we can write the repair details and scope of work, help you compare contractor bids, answer contractor questions, and observe the work during construction to make sure the repair is done the way it was designed. In Rhode Island, GCR can also perform the repairs.
Related Guides
Nicholas Andreozzi
Owner and Building Envelope Consultant
Nick has spent his career investigating why buildings leak, on homes and on large commercial projects. Every GCR investigation is led by him.
- B.S., Architectural Engineering, New England Institute of Technology
- Certified Infrared Moisture Surveyor (CIMS)
- Certified Infrared Building Surveyor (CIBS)
- Certified Infrared Energy Loss Surveyor (CIES)
- Certified EIFS Inspector
- Level 1 Thermographer
- Member, NRCA and AWCI
- Registered Rhode Island contractor #42335
- Qualified for and pursuing the IIBEC Registered Roof Consultant (RRC) credential
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an investigation cost?
A full investigation with testing and a written report starts at $3,500. Smaller site visits and consultations are billed at $150 per hour, starting when we leave the office. Call and describe what you are seeing, and we will tell you which one fits before anything is scheduled.
What kinds of problems do you investigate?
Roof leaks, wall and window leaks, water at doors and decks, rot in siding and trim, wet or stained ceilings and walls, foundation and below-grade leaks, failed flashing and sealants, and air leakage. Most of our work is finding where water is getting in and why, at the places where two building systems meet.
Do you just look, or do you actually test?
Both. We start with a visual review, then use moisture meter readings and infrared thermography where they help. When the source still is not clear, we can run a controlled water test or open a small area of the wall or roof to see what is behind it.
Is an infrared scan enough to find a leak?
No. Infrared shows temperature differences, not water. It tells us where to look. We confirm with moisture meter readings, and when the answer matters, by opening the assembly. We will tell you what the testing can and cannot show.
Will I get a written report?
Yes. You get a written report with what we observed, what it means, photos and infrared images, our recommendations in order of priority, and a preliminary repair budget when you need one.
Can you help with an insurance claim or a denied claim?
Yes. We investigate and document what caused the damage and when, with photos, infrared images, moisture readings and a written report. We can meet your insurance adjuster on site, prepare a repair scope and estimate, and give a second opinion when a claim has been denied for reasons like wear and tear or long-term leakage. We do not negotiate or settle claims, but we can work alongside your licensed public adjuster or attorney.
Do I have to hire GCR to do the repairs?
No. The investigation and report are yours to use with any contractor. In Rhode Island, GCR can also do the repair work if you want us to. We can also write the repair scope so you can get comparable bids.
Do you work in Massachusetts?
Yes. Building envelope consulting and investigations are available throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Construction work is performed in Rhode Island. See building envelope consulting in Massachusetts.
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Request a Consultation
Tell us about the building and the problem. Investigations start at $3,500. Rather talk? Call 401-919-1795.
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