When it’s time to call an expert

A Stone and Tile Inspector is qualified to provide vast knowledge in the science and geology behind natural and engineered stone, including terrazzo, tile, and masonry-related installations and failures.

Clients that are served include government, general contractors, insurance companies, tile contractors, attorneys, and architectural and engineering firms as well as owners and property managers of hotels, and other commercial, industrial, and retail properties, and high-end homes.

Services include:

• Consultation
• 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
• Sample collection
• Owner representation and supervision of installations
• Restoration procedures and recommendations
• Insurance claims
• Stain removal testing
• Facade inspections
• Forensic expert testimony
• Slip and fall testing and prevention programs
  

Inspection and Failure Analysis

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 debonding and delamination, tenting, cracking, stuns and crystal fractures, lippage, grout failures, and more.