Forensic Services
Material and Assembly Testing
When a system fails—or when performance is in question—material testing often provides critical data that informs technical conclusions. We conduct field diagnostics and coordinate laboratory testing to evaluate material properties, assess compatibility between products and assemblies, and identify failure modes that may not be visible through observation alone.
Material and Assembly Testing
We coordinate independent, defensible material testing to verify the properties, compatibility, and failure behavior of construction materials and assemblies. Our ICC-B2–certified experts combine on-site diagnostics with accredited laboratory analysis to provide clear, evidence-based findings structured to inform repair strategy, claims evaluation, and dispute resolution.
With experience across multifamily, commercial, institutional, and complex building assemblies, we specialize in situations where uncertainty, conflicting opinions, or high financial exposure demands testing that is both technically rigorous and legally defensible.
What Material Testing Is and Why It Matters
Material testing is the forensic process of evaluating construction materials and assemblies to determine:
- Whether materials or assemblies align with specified or represented properties (strength, density, moisture content, adhesion, etc.)
- Whether products are compatible with adjacent materials, substrates, or installation conditions
- Whether degradation or failure modes are present (aging, chemical reactions, corrosion, UV breakdown, freeze/thaw effects, etc.)
- Whether installation or exposure conditions contributed to failure
Testing often distinguishes assumption from documented technical analysis. Without it, teams may select repair approaches that do not address underlying conditions or misinterpret responsibility.—especially when damage is hidden, intermittent, or multi-factor.
When Do You Need Material Testing?
This service is ideal when:
- Symptoms are present but the failure mechanism is unclear
- Materials appear “normal” but performance suggests otherwise
- Stakeholders disagree about product performance vs. workmanship
- A repair strategy depends on verifying assembly durability
- You need defensible evidence for a claim, dispute, or litigation
- A defect spans multiple trades or materials and accountability is contested
How We Test: Field Diagnostics, Assembly Replication, and Laboratory Verification
Our process begins with targeted field investigation to identify where testing will provide the most value. We follow evidence handling protocols to preserve defensibility, including documentation, labeling, and secure chain of custody for all samples.
Depending on the condition and project needs, we may perform or coordinate:
Field Testing & Diagnostics
- Moisture mapping and moisture content verification
- Infrared thermography to locate hidden anomalies
- Adhesion or pull testing where appropriate
- Thickness and coverage verification (coatings, membranes, fireproofing, etc.)
- Investigation openings and targeted sampling (minimally invasive when possible)
Assembly Replication
- Recreation of assemblies within the confines of our workshop or a testing agency
- Isolated testing and monitoring
- Mock-ups of repair strategies to evaluate constructability and long-term performance considerations
Laboratory Testing (via qualified labs)
- Microscopy and material composition analysis
- Bond/adhesion evaluation and cohesive vs. adhesive failure assessment
- Density, hardness, tensile/strength properties (as applicable)
- Chemical compatibility or reaction indicators
- Contamination or degradation analysis
- Comparative evaluation against manufacturer requirements or industry benchmarks
When appropriate, we coordinate supplementary documentation such as 3D capture or additional diagnostics to strengthen conclusions and support repair design or dispute resolution.
Why Material Testing Is Essential
A thorough testing program reduces the risk of incorrect assumptions and misdirected repairs—providing a documented foundation for technical decisions, risk management, and legal defensibility.
DAI’s approach brings clarity by distinguishing between:
- Material deficiencies (manufacturing, aging, degradation)
- Installation-related failures (prep, sequencing, thickness, cure conditions)
- Compatibility failures (product interactions, substrate mismatch, environmental exposure)
- Secondary effects that appear as the “problem” but aren’t the root cause
Why Choose Domeier Architects?
We are trusted for precision, transparency, and strong forensic methodology—especially in environments where accuracy matters most.
- ICC-B2 certified inspectors and forensic specialists
- Independent, unbiased assessments designed for legal defensibility
- Expertise in assemblies, envelope systems, waterproofing, and transitions
- Proven performance in insurance investigations, claims, negotiations, and litigation
- Clear, logical reporting structured for attorneys, insurers, owners, and contractors
- Experience evaluating multi-factor failures where testing provides critical technical data
Our findings are supported by field evidence, laboratory results, documentation, and a traceable logic trail.
We serve clients throughout California and can mobilize quickly for urgent or remote assignments to preserve evidence and provide timely technical analysis when it matters most.
Coordinating with Specialized Experts
When testing requires cross-disciplinary expertise, we collaborate with trusted specialists and laboratories in structural, mechanical, electrical, geotechnical, and materials engineering. This approach supports appropriate testing methods, accurate interpretation of results, and conclusions that consider the full system—not just a single component.
Common Material and Assembly Questions We Test For
DAI’s material testing is frequently used to evaluate:
- Waterproofing membranes, coatings, and sealants (adhesion, thickness, compatibility)
- Roofing materials and transitions (aging, storm impacts, installation variables)
- Window/door interface materials (sealant performance, flashing compatibility)
- Concrete and masonry concerns (moisture pathways, cracking contributors, substrate conditions)
- Corrosion and fastener/attachment issues (environmental exposure, dissimilar materials)
- Premature aging, brittleness, or delamination in composite assemblies
- Prior repairs that masked symptoms or introduced incompatibility
Sample Case Examples
Façade Sealant Failure
A building experienced recurring leakage despite multiple reseals. Testing clarified substrate contamination and incompatibility between new sealant and existing materials—supporting development of a targeted remediation approach intended to address identified conditions.
Roofing System Dispute
After damage following weather events, testing helped distinguish between storm-related impacts and pre-existing installation deficiencies by evaluating membrane condition, adhesion behavior, and degradation indicators—informing coverage evaluation and supporting development of a defensible repair scope.
When to Call Us
This service is ideal for situations involving:
- Unexplained or recurring failures
- Conflicting consultant or contractor opinions
- Disputes over responsibility or warranty coverage
- Insurance claims or investigations
- Pre-litigation or active litigation support
- Repair design decisions where compatibility requires technical evaluation
When accuracy matters—and when the stakes are high—we provide technical analysis structured for scrutiny.
Who This Service Supports
Our material testing services support organizations that need clear, defensible answers:
- Attorneys & Legal Teams — Independent clarity supporting claims, disputes, and expert testimony
- Insurers & Adjusters — Verification to support coverage decisions and claim strategy
- Developers & Owners — Technical evaluation of performance concerns, exposure, and corrective considerations
- General Contractors & Builders — Objective evaluation of workmanship vs. material behavior
- Property Managers — Evidence-based explanations for operational issues or unexpected failures
- Facility Managers & Institutions — Technical clarity to support planning and evaluation of appropriate repair strategies
- Crisis Managers & Emergency Teams — Rapid verification following sudden failures or events
Forensic Services Overview
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FAQs
What’s the difference between material testing and causation identification?
Causation identification determines what failed and why. Material testing provides measurable verification—evaluating properties, compatibility, or failure behavior that informs causation conclusions.
Do you perform testing in-house or through a lab?
We conduct field diagnostics and coordinate laboratory testing through qualified labs when specialized analysis is required. When required, we manage sampling, documentation, and chain of custody to maintain defensibility.
Will testing damage my building?
Not always. We begin with minimally invasive methods and only recommend selective openings or sampling when needed to evaluate key failure mechanisms. We can recommend a contractor, or work with your team for the testing labor and put-back.
What information do you need to start?
We typically review drawings, specifications, submittals, product data, installation records (if available), prior reports, photos, maintenance records, and any claim documentation—then align testing with the decisions the results need to support.
How long does a typical testing program take?
Timelines vary based on access, sampling needs, and lab turnaround time. Many matters take days to weeks from fieldwork through reporting, and urgent cases can often be expedited when evidence preservation is time sensitive.
Can testing help in warranty disputes or litigation?
Yes. Properly documented sampling and properly documented testing often provides objective evidence that can inform dispute resolution, accountability analysis, and development of defensible repair scopes.