Failure Analysis

Entire buildings or portions of buildings may experience distress or failure for a variety of reasons including, improper design, construction defects, storm damage, frost, heavy snowfall, flooding, and fire to name a few.

We are often retained to investigate and provide expert opinions regarding causation of structural distress or failure.

Common examples include:

- Foundation walls bowing, cracking, or collapse.

- Foundation settlement.

- Cracks in interior or exterior walls, floors, or ceilings.

- Excessive cracking in masonry, including stucco, stone, or brick veneer.

- Excessive deflection or bowing in beams, columns, or headers.

- Excessive deflection in floor or roof systems.  "Bouncy" floors.

- Roof or floor truss failure.

- Portions of roofing blowing off.

- Roof leaks.  Ice dams.

- Roof damage or failure from excessive snow or other roof loads.

- Window / door leaks.

- Flooding due to burst sprinkler or water supply lines.

- Flooding due to sump pump failure or loss of electrical power.

- Water intrusion from inadequate ventilation and/or inadequate insulation.

- Excessive heating costs or cold rooms.

We also commonly provide an appropriate repair scope as part of these forensic investigations. Design and inspection services during remediation are also available. Please call us to discuss your specific needs.