Dear Clients and Friends:
As you may know, roof damage claims are one of the most common ones. One of the more challenging issues with respect to property claims is determining which peril actually caused the damage. This technical note discusses some of the issues typically encountered in a roof damage claim.
Roof Damage Claim -Commercial Units-New Jersey
In a roof damage we recently handled, the property owner stated that a recent storm damaged the roof and opened holes in the roof, causing water to leak into the commercial structure. We inspected the top of the roof of all the commercial units. We noted recent roof repairs. The repairs were not complete and rolled sheets of reinforcing fabrics were planned to be installed on the roof of the units. We noted that the connections of the membranes to the masonry wall had been deteriorated and that splitting was evident in many areas. These areas were recently re-sealed with asphalt or coal tar. A small number of 4-inch drainage pipes were penetrating the roof to collect the storm water. Some of the roof drains were clogged with leaves.
The historic repairs performed at the roof membrane system indicated that the deterioration of the roof has been occurring for some time and it is not of recent origin. The splitting that was observed in the bituminous membrane especially at the connections with the CMU walls was caused by the differential settlement of the foundation walls, stiffening of the membrane due to its age and shrinkage. This created a situation where temperature change or differential movement overstressed the membrane, causing splits. Some of the roof drains were covered with leaves. Most likely, the splitting and the lack of proper drainage caused the storm water to enter the storage units through the formed cracks. The recent storm did not cause the splitting of the roof, the displacement of masonry wall or the settlement or shifting of the foundation piers of the commercial units.
Lessons Learned
There is no substitute for a thorough and comprehensive inspection of the structures to determine the number of conditions that “caused” the loss and whether the conditions worked independently, concurrently, or in a sequence to cause the damage.
Whether you are an insurance adjuster, contractor or a property owner, we can quickly and accurately assess damages.
What Metropolitan can provide for you:
Storm Damage Analysis
Civil and Structural Engineering
Metropolitan has extensive experience in civil and structural engineering evaluation. Our Registered Professional Engineers have evaluated thousands of structures since 1976. We investigate failures and accidents, provide oral or written reports of findings, and provide courtroom testimony when required. We have investigated damage caused by hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, construction defects, soil subsidence and long term neglect.
Our experience includes evaluations of homes, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, marine terminals and historic structures. Our areas of specific expertise include residential and commercial roofing, foundations, building envelopes, water intrusion, construction defect evaluation, and premises liability evaluations.
Sincerely,
METROPOLITAN PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING AND FORENSIC SERVICES
P.O. Box 0520
Tenafly, NJ 07670-0520
Tel.: (973) 897-8162
Fax: (973) 810-0440
E-mail: metroforensics@gmail.com