San Francisco, CA Leak Detection & Consulting

Finding the True Source of Water Intrusion in San Francisco Commercial Buildings

Building Envelope Leak Detection in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco leaks are often driven by wind as much as rain. A winter storm can push water through a worn seal on a downtown curtain wall, behind a loose flashing on an apartment roof, or past cracked terra cotta on a century-old office building, and it may travel inside the wall before appearing floors away. Fog adds slow, steady moisture that keeps damp areas from drying. Patching the stain does not solve it. Presto Restoration combines controlled testing with careful inspection to pinpoint each entry, with more than 25 years of experience on towers, hotels, hospitals, apartment buildings and historic properties. In San Francisco, our aim is to fix the cause once.

OUR DIAGNOSTIC METHODS FOR SAN FRANCISCO BUILDINGS

We choose the tests that answer the questions your San Francisco building is raising, and skip the ones that would not change the repair.

Controlled water testing building facade, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties

Controlled water testing recreates wind-driven rain on one small area at a time while a technician watches inside, so we can see exactly which component fails without waiting for the next storm.

Infrared cameras show small temperature differences across walls and roofs, which often mark wet insulation or air moving through gaps.

Infrared thermography building envelope inspection, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties
Moisture meter diagnostics, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties

Moisture meters map the wet area and tell us how far water has traveled, and later readings show when repairs have dried out.

Drones give us close views of high walls, parapets and roofs on tall or tightly packed buildings, revealing failed sealant, cracks and loose flashing.

Drone inspection high rise facade, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties
Invasive testing inspection opening, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties

When needed, we make small controlled openings to look directly at flashings, anchors and framing, then close and seal them.

Every investigation is sized to the problem, from one leaking bay window to repeat leaks across a tower, and we explain the reason for each test.

Diagnostic report building envelope documentation, the work Presto Restoration provides for San Francisco CA commercial properties

How Diagnostic Work Fits Into Your San Francisco Restoration Project

We do not guess at leaks. Each San Francisco project begins by working out exactly how and where the building is letting water in.

Presto Restoration process step 1: Building Envelope Survey
Presto Restoration process step 2: Diagnostic Testing
Presto Restoration process step 3: Scope & Planning
Presto Restoration process step 4: Restoration Execution
Presto Restoration process step 5: Closeout & Warranty

Exterior Survey & Leak History

We ask building staff when the leaks happen and in what weather, then check the spots most likely to blame.

Diagnostic Testing

Each suspected entry point is proven with a focused test before any repair goes on paper.

Report & Scope

Findings are written up with a repair plan ranked by urgency.

Restoration Execution

Our crews complete the repairs, from sealants and flashings to masonry, terra cotta and coatings.

Verification & Closeout

When we can, we test the repaired area a second time to show the leak is gone.

Need to Track Down a Leak in Your San Francisco Building?

If your San Francisco building leaks with every winter storm, or keeps leaking after repairs, call us or request a quote. Our team will respond to explain how an investigation leads to a lasting fix.

Why San Francisco Property Managers Choose Presto for Leak Detection and Consulting

Diagnostic-First Restoration Philosophy

Because we prove the cause first, San Francisco owners pay for repairs that solve the leak rather than cover it up.

We Don't Sell Unnecessary Services

Testing is the first phase of a restoration project, so every result points to a specific repair.

25+ Years of Restoration Experience

Our team has traced leaks and restored building envelopes in many states for more than 25 years.

Fully Insured Nationwide

Every San Francisco investigation is covered by Presto’s nationwide general liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Our Local San Francisco, CA Support Network

Once a leak is repaired, regular inspections help keep it from coming back. Presto works with a local support network so San Francisco owners can keep up with routine care.

For routine upkeep and everyday facility support, owners can also contact our sister companies:

Building Restoration San Francisco: Local exterior repairs for San Francisco buildings.

Building Maintenance San Francisco: Ongoing maintenance that keeps buildings dry through the rainy season.

Building Services San Francisco: Everyday commercial building support across the Bay Area.

Recent Commercial Restoration Projects in California

CALIFORNIA PORTFOLIO HIGHLIGHTS

See Presto’s glass, stone and facade restoration work in California.

San Francisco Leak Detection & Consulting FAQs

No. Our leak investigations are part of larger commercial restoration projects, which typically start at $50,000. For an inspection report alone, a specialty engineering firm is the better fit.

We recreate wind-driven rain with controlled water tests and add thermal imaging, moisture readings and drone photos, opening small inspection areas only when we need a direct look.

Repairing the wrong component wastes money and leaves the leak in place. Confirming the entry point first makes the repair last.

No. Presto does not provide forensic engineering, expert witness testimony or litigation support, and we recommend a specialty forensic engineering firm for that work.

Photos of each problem, the confirmed entry points, what each test showed and a repair plan in order of priority.

Usually a day or two for one problem area. A complete study of a large building can run a couple of weeks.

Other San Francisco Building Restoration Services

presto 25 yrs digital small

Stop San Francisco Leaks at Their Source

If your San Francisco building leaks every winter no matter how often it is patched, the real source is probably still hidden. Tell us what you are seeing, and we will help you plan the testing and repairs that stop it.