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Roof failure investigation

Why did this roof fail, and who or what is responsible? We document installation, materials, wear and storm conditions for attorneys, insurers, owners and contractors in western Pennsylvania.

Why do roof disputes get complicated?

A roof is a system: covering, underlayment, flashing, decking, framing, ventilation and drainage, all working together. When it leaks or fails, the cause can be any of them, and the parties often have opposing theories. The roofer blames the weather, the owner blames the roofer, the insurer points to age and maintenance.

An independent investigation sorts the facts from the theories.

What do we examine?

  • Shingles, membranes, metal or other roof coverings: condition, fastening and installation
  • Flashing at chimneys, walls, valleys, skylights and penetrations
  • Underlayment, decking and ice and water protection where visible
  • Attic ventilation, insulation and signs of condensation
  • Gutters, drainage and roof-to-wall transitions
  • Evidence of prior repairs, patches and overlays
  • Interior stains, damage and moisture patterns below

We look for patterns. Damage from one storm usually looks different from a defect repeated across the whole roof, and both look different from ordinary aging.

What documentation do you receive?

The site visit includes photographs, measurements and notes tied to specific locations on the roof and in the attic. We review contracts, invoices, warranty papers, weather-related claim documents and earlier inspection reports when available.

The written report states the observed conditions first. A separate section gives our professional opinion on cause and extent. That way counsel, adjusters and opposing experts can see where fact ends and judgment begins.

A tarp, a patch or a tear-off can change the evidence overnight. Photograph first, keep removed materials when you can, and call before permanent repairs.

When should you bring in an inspector?

  • Soon after a leak appears, and before the roof is replaced
  • When a claim is denied, limited or disputed
  • When a new roof leaks or fails early
  • When a contractor's repair does not stop the problem
  • When counsel needs the technical story of a roofing dispute

Roof leaks often lead into interior damage, so see our pages on water intrusion investigation and construction defect investigation. For routine condition checks, a standard home inspection or a 4-point inspection may be what you need.

Why an independent veteran Certified Master Inspector?

Will Kuhn is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with a construction background and a Certified Master Inspector (CMI, CCMI). He is an InterNACHI member with CCPIA, IAC2 and MC/RC certifications, and the business is insured for errors and omissions and general liability. We do not sell roofing, so nothing in the report depends on a repair outcome.

Deposition and trial support are available when needed. We do not provide legal advice and we do not go beyond the documented evidence.

For cost questions, get a free estimate online or call us for a short consultation.

Related expert pages

Expert witness overviewForensic investigation and consulting Water intrusion investigationSource, path and damage Construction defect investigationWorkmanship and code problems Structural movement investigationSettlement and cracking Property recoverySquatter removal coordination Contact usStart with a short call

Common questions

What does a roof failure investigation determine?
It determines the cause and extent of a roof problem: whether it stems from installation, materials, age, maintenance, storm damage or a combination. We document conditions with photos and measurements and issue a written report that keeps observation separate from professional opinion.
Can you tell whether damage came from a storm or from wear?
Often the physical evidence points one way or the other, such as the pattern, location and condition of damaged components. We state what the observed conditions support and say so when they are inconclusive. Opinions are tied to documented evidence, not assumptions.
Should I replace the roof before an investigation?
If there is a claim or a dispute, hold off where it is safe to do so. Removing the roof removes the evidence. If emergency protection is needed, such as a tarp, photograph everything first and keep any removed materials. Call us for guidance.
Do you inspect the attic and interior too?
Yes. Roof failures are often understood best from below. We look at the attic, decking, insulation, ventilation and interior stains to see how water traveled and what damage resulted, in addition to the roof covering and flashing. Interior evidence often settles questions the roof surface cannot.
Do you sell roofing or repairs?
No. We do not sell repairs, which keeps the investigation independent of any repair outcome. Our report is written for counsel, adjusters and owners who need an unbiased account of what happened. Independence lets the report stand on the evidence alone, whichever party it favors.

Ready to schedule?

Get your free estimate online, or call Will directly at 878-300-6621.

Get a free estimateCall 878-300-6621