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Contact Us Today!
Commercial Water Intrusion InvestigationsIn Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, FL, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, FL, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, FL, and the surrounding areas
Water infiltration rarely stays where it starts. It travels through walls, slabs, and building envelopes, and it does damage long before it shows.
When a condominium or commercial building has recurring leaks, unexplained moisture, or water-related deterioration, you need to know where the water is coming from before anyone starts repairs. Hillman Engineering’s licensed engineers bring more than 40 years of South Florida experience to finding the source.
We use non-invasive diagnostics to trace how water is entering the building and moving through it, and to show what it is affecting. You get a documented, engineering-based answer that your association or ownership can act on.
Dealing with water infiltration in your building?
Contact our licensed engineers to discuss your property or schedule an investigation.
Engineering-Based Water Intrusion Detection
Water damage is more than a surface problem. Over time, infiltration can corrode reinforcing steel, cause concrete spalling, degrade building materials, and lead to mold growth. A visual walk-through often misses the cause.
Our engineers use infrared scanning, moisture mapping, and minimally invasive testing to identify entry points, migration paths, and affected structural components that a standard inspection may not find.
Infrared Scanning
Infrared imaging detects temperature differences behind walls, ceilings, and roof surfaces that point to trapped moisture. This lets our engineers see where water is traveling without opening up finished surfaces.
Moisture Mapping
Moisture mapping records moisture levels across floors, walls, and assemblies to show the full extent and pattern of an intrusion. It separates the source from secondary damage so that recommendations address the root cause and not only the symptoms.
Minimally Invasive Diagnostics
Where conditions need to be confirmed, we use targeted, minimally invasive methods to verify what is happening inside the assembly while keeping disruption to the property as low as possible.
Independent Water Intrusion Investigations for South Florida Properties
At Hillman Engineering, Inc., we know recurring water problems are frustrating for boards, property managers, and building owners. Our licensed building engineers and structural engineers take a methodical, evidence-based approach to investigating water infiltration. We have served condominium associations and commercial property owners since 1984.
We work on:
- High-rise and mid-rise condominiums
- Office and commercial buildings
- Mixed-use and multifamily properties
- Aging coastal structures exposed to wind-driven rain and salt air
Typical problem areas include balconies and slab edges, windows and sliding doors, exterior walls and stucco, roofs and parapets, below-grade areas, and parking structures.
What you receive: each investigation ends with a written report prepared by our licensed engineers, including:
- Identified and probable water entry points
- Moisture migration paths, with supporting infrared and moisture-mapping documentation
- Affected structural and building envelope components
- Engineering recommendations for correcting the source of the intrusion
- Repair specifications your licensed contractor can bid and build from, where needed
Hillman Engineering does not perform water extraction, drying, or repair work. Our role is independent: we find the cause, document it, and provide the engineering direction. Licensed contractors carry out the work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Intrusion Investigations
How is a water intrusion investigation different from water mitigation or restoration?
Water mitigation and restoration companies do cleanup work: extracting water, drying the space, and removing damaged materials. A water intrusion investigation answers a different question: where is the water coming from, and what is it damaging? Our engineers identify the source and pathways and recommend how to correct them. We do not perform cleanup or repairs.
How do your engineers find hidden water infiltration without damaging the building?
We rely mainly on infrared scanning and moisture mapping. These methods detect moisture behind walls, under slabs, and inside the building envelope without demolition. When a condition needs to be confirmed, we use targeted, minimally invasive testing.
Why does water infiltration matter for condominiums and commercial buildings?
Ongoing infiltration in concrete buildings can corrode reinforcing steel, cause spalling, and weaken structural elements. Finding and documenting these conditions early helps associations protect their buildings and plan repairs. It also supports their obligations under Florida’s Milestone Inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) requirements.
What are the signs of hidden water damage in a building?
Common warning signs include:
- Concrete spalling or cracking: rust stains or flaking concrete caused by corroding reinforcement
- Efflorescence: white, powdery mineral deposits on concrete or masonry
- Blistering or peeling paint: often a sign that moisture is trapped behind the surface
- Recurring stains or leaks after rain, especially at windows, balconies, and slab edges
Do you offer pool or residential leak detection?
No. Our water intrusion investigations are for commercial buildings and condominium associations. We do not provide pool leak detection or plumbing leak location.
Who performs the repairs after the investigation?
The association or owner hires a licensed contractor. Our report and recommendations give that contractor a clear scope to work from. Where it’s needed, Hillman can provide repair specifications and construction administration, separate from the work itself.
How long has Hillman Engineering been investigating building water problems in South Florida?
Hillman Engineering has served South Florida associations and commercial property owners since 1984, with more than 40 years of local experience evaluating how buildings perform in a coastal climate.
Ready To Get Started?
Every water intrusion investigation we take on receives the same engineering discipline we bring to complex structural evaluations. Contact us today for a quote and an independent assessment of where water is entering your building and what it is affecting.
If your property also has drainage or site flooding issues, our civil and drainage design team can help.
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and serving Aventura, Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, Miami Beach, Sunny Isles Beach, FL, and all of Florida and beyond!
