Post-install anxiety is normal. The answer is not a marketing claim — it is inspection, seal verification, and appropriate water testing. Rubicon treats testing and seasonal re-inspection as part of owning an opening-protection system, not a one-time install event.
Before any water test, confirm the install looks complete: continuous caulk at tracks, seated posts, undamaged gaskets, and a clear explanation of deployment torque/compression.
A controlled hose test can reveal obvious seal gaps at an opening. It is not a full storm-surge simulation, wave test, or proof that the whole house is dry. Professional testing practice should be agreed at install — do not improvise high-pressure tests that could damage finishes.
Two things follow from the table. They are not the same number — a product meeting the USACE criterion is permitted roughly fifteen times the leakage of one meeting the British standard, so “meets the standard” means little until you know which. And all three are written as maximum permitted leakage, not as zero.
Normalised leakage thresholds
| Standard | As published | Normalised (L/h/m) |
|---|---|---|
| BS 851188 | 500 mL/h per metre | 0.50 |
| ANSI/FM 2510, opening barriers | 0.08 gal/hr per linear foot | 0.99 |
| USACE EP 1165-2-314 Type 2 | 0.01 gal/min per linear foot | 7.45 |
There is no removable flood barrier that keeps a building perfectly dry. The published standards do not require it and physics does not permit it. Water also arrives through floor drains, plumbing, weep holes and the slab itself as the water table rises — none of which a door barrier addresses. What a good system does is take the volume from catastrophic down to something a pump and a wet vacuum can handle.
Distinguish barrier-face seepage from envelope dampness behind or around mounts. Contact Rubicon (or your installer) for adjustment, re-seal, or gasket service — many issues do not require full system replacement.
Ask for the installer’s testing practice. A controlled verification after install builds confidence in seal compression and detailing. Rubicon discusses verification as part of professional handoff — not as a substitute for seasonal inspection.
A low-pressure hose check can sometimes reveal obvious gaps, but it is not a storm simulation and can stain or damage finishes if done carelessly. Prefer installer-guided protocol over improvised high-pressure spraying.
Yes — at minimum inspect seals, caulk, anchors, and practice deployment. A water check may be appropriate depending on your system and installer guidance.
Treat it as a building-envelope / sealant issue. Photograph the area, avoid DIY over-caulking that traps moisture incorrectly, and contact Rubicon or your installer for diagnosis and re-seal.
Often yes — gasket replacement, re-compression guidance, caulk renewal, or hardware adjustment can restore performance without replacing the entire aluminum system.
Rubicon supports installed systems in its Southwest Florida service area per warranty and service terms. Ask about inspection, gasket replacement, and re-seal options when you request assessment or aftercare.
Gaps at the gasket line, cracked or missing caulk, loose anchors, damaged seals, panels that will not compress evenly, or recurring dampness at mounts. Address these before storm season.
Request Assessment when you want Rubicon on site. Get an Estimate follows measurement review.
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