Product & Material Investigations

Evaluating How Building Products Are Installed, Perform, Degrade, and Fail

Building-product investigations often require more than identifying a visible failure. Understanding why a product or system failed may require examination of the product itself, its installation, its operating environment, surrounding materials, maintenance history, and the way the product interacted with the larger building system.

Dan Rapp Forensic LLC provides forensic investigation and technical evaluation of building products and materials used in residential, multifamily, and commercial construction.

Particular experience includes plumbing and water-distribution systems, plastic piping, roofing and waterproofing products, windows and doors, and material degradation.

An Investigation of the Entire System

A failed component does not necessarily identify the cause of failure.

Product investigations may require evaluation of several potential contributing factors, including:

  • Product design and material composition
  • Manufacturing considerations
  • Installation
  • Workmanship
  • Compatibility with adjoining materials
  • Operating temperature
  • Pressure and flow
  • Water chemistry
  • Environmental exposure
  • Maintenance
  • Construction sequencing
  • Manufacturer installation requirements
  • Applicable codes and standards

The objective is to understand the relationship between the observed failure and the conditions under which the material or product was installed and operated.