Stone Inspection and Failure Analysis
Failures can result from a variety of causes.
Stone and tile inspection and failure analysis is a discipline that either helps prevent failure of new installations, or for an existing installation, helps determine how and why failure took place. The flooring or other system could consist of a combination of components.
Failures usually involve a hard surface, such as natural stone, engineered stone, tile, terrazzo, concrete, masonry, or other surface materials, placed over a substrate such as a concrete slab or a wood subfloor. There may be heating and plumbing or draining systems, as well, depending on the application.
Problems may include de-bonding and delamination, tenting, cracking, stuns and crystal fractures, lippage, grout failures, and more.
Floor and Surface Failure Causes
Many natural stone, engineered stone, tile, terrazzo, and other hard surface problems are caused by substrate problems. For example, a low water-to-cement ratio can affect concrete slab quality. Slabs may be subject to moisture problems or soluble salts that cause efflorescence or sub-florescence. Wood substrates must be installed according to industry guidelines in order to avoid deflection problems.
Comprehensive Inspection Services
Although the majority of our work involves flooring, we also provide inspection and failure analysis services for showers and tubs, countertops, walls, ceilings, stairs, and other features, such as fireplace surrounds, fountains, and monuments.
We inspect and analyze failures in exterior environments, as well, such as hot tub surrounds, outdoor kitchens, pool and patio areas, hardscape, cladding, architectural features, and more.
Examination, Evaluation, and Advisory Services
- Specification writing
- Failure analysis
- Project review and analysis
- On-site testing
- ASTM testing
- Petrographic and other laboratory testing
- Non-destructive testing
- Infrared thermography
- Repair feasibility studies
- Specification writing
- Failure analysis
- Project review and analysis
- On-site testing
- ASTM testing
- Petrographic and other laboratory testing
- Non-destructive testing
- Infrared thermography
- Repair feasibility studies
Legal Disputes
Our inspection and failure analysis services are often requested in conjunction with other services, especially when it come to a legal dispute. If there has been an accident involving injury or death, property damage, or anything related to liability litigation, we can provide reliable, unbiased Forensic Expert Services.
