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CAPE FORENSIC has experience with thousands of forensic investigations over a wide range of topics including water damage, roof damage, foundation damage, structural concerns, and flooring damage.

Water Damage

Since moisture-related claim investigations can range from obvious to very complex, determining the cause, origin, and duration of the observed conditions requires a thorough knowledge of water management principles and potential water sources in residential and commercial structures. Property Damage Assessments

  • Appliance malfunctions and/or discharges

  • Humidity generation/insufficient ventilation

  • Ice damming

  • Improper drainage/water runoff management

  • Releases from water supply and drainage lines

  • ​Rodent habitation

  • Roof leaks

  • Water condensate formation

  • Water infiltration through exterior cladding, building transitions, fenestrations, chimney, etc.

Water Damage

Roof Damage

Roof Damage

Proper evaluation of a reportedly damaged roofing system not only requires walking the roof surface, but ideally includes conducting an analysis of the weather conditions, reviewing historical aerial imagery, and assessing additional components of the exterior and within the attic space for collateral or corresponding conditions.  

  • Age-related deterioration of roofing materials

  • Excessive snow loads

  • Foot traffic/mechanical damage

  • Forces associated with elevated wind velocities

  • Hailstones

  • Improper flashing techniques

  • Installation or material defects

  • Wind-borne debris impacts

Structural Damage

Identifying the cause of structural damage or failure requires blending the "boots on the ground" knowledge of the typical methods and sequences used during construction, knowledge of the engineered function of each building component, and the recognition of typical results of alterations/forces acting upon the building to determine an accurate and rational explanation for observed conditions. 

  • Construction/design deficiencies

  • Fire

  • Forces associated with floodwaters

  • Freeze/thaw of ice

  • Impacts from fallen trees and tree limbs

  • Improper modifications during renovation/repair efforts

  • Long-term creep/differential settlement

  • Vehicular impact

  • Vibration/blasting

  • Water infiltration/deterioration

  • Weight of ice and snow

  • Wind-borne debris impacts

Structural Damage

Foundation Damage

Foundation Damage

Factors affecting the physical condition and utility of foundational members can result from very recent, sudden causes to long-term, persistent conditions.

  • Alterations from renovation efforts

  • Changes in surrounding soils/long-term erosion

  • Construction defects/deficiencies

  • Decay/long-term moisture exposure

  • Differential settlement

  • Freeze/thaw ice forces

  • Hydrodynamic forces/velocity flow of water

  • Hydrostatic loads

  • Lateral or vertical impacts

  • Loss of support from scouring of foundation soils

  • Tree root growth

Flooring Damage

While cracks, stains, swelling, and displacement of flooring materials is often attributed to moisture exposure, additional long-term conditions can represent contributing factors.

  • Deterioration of bonding agents

  • Impacts from fallen objects

  • Installation and material defects

  • Moisture/humidity exposure

  • Movement in building foundation and/or superstructure

Flooring Damage

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