Services

FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS HARDWOOD FLOOR INSPECTIONS BUILDING SCIENCE CONSULTING TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION EXPERT WITNESS/LITIGATION SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTIONS MOISTURE AND MOLD ISSUES

Forensic Investigations

When something breaks, leaks, gets moldy or otherwise doesn’t perform as expected, a forensic investigation can usually uncover the cause. RLC Engineering, PLLC identifies construction defects, water intrusion, floor failures, deck collapses, mold and fungi, storm damage, crawlspace damage and other problems with residential and light commercial buildings.

Hardwood Floor Inspections

RLC Engineering, PLLC performs hardwood floor inspections throughout the United States. Inspections include floors made of solid wood, engineered wood, site-finished, or factory finished. Woods include domestic and foreign hardwood and softwood such as antique pine, as well as, bamboo which is not a wood.

Building Science Consulting

Indoor environments are intended to provide comfortable, safe conditions not only for the occupants but for the structure and contents as well. RLC Engineering, PLLC provides consulting services on creating and maintaining safe, comfortable indoor environments. When temperatures, humidity levels, condensation or fungal growth becomes a problem, RLC Engineering, PLLC can help identify causes and solutions. RLC Engineering, PLLC can also provide guidance on equipment and techniques during design, construction or use to create comfortable, safe indoor environments.

Training

RLC Engineering, PLLC’s principal has over 25 years of experience providing seminars and training programs for numerous groups involved with residential and light commercial buildings. Clients include Hardwood Floor inspectors and installers, HVAC contractors, Building Code officials, engineers and architects, and contractors. Recent programs have included: Moisture and Condensation in Crawlspaces, Proper use of Moisture Meters, Coastal Flood Impacts, Indoor Environments and Hardwood Flooring.

Expert Witness/Litigation Support

Unfortunately, a forensic investigation or inspection often results from or leads to litigation. RLC Engineering, PLLC provides expert witness testimony or litigation support for cases involving building issues. We can help identify causes and can perform reviews of other reports or statements to provide guidance to an attorney on a case’s merit, strength or weakness. Litigation support has been provided on cases ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning blamed on a HVAC system, to hardwood floor failures, to improper design and installation of HVAC and plumbing systems, to mold and decay caused by HVAC systems. RLC Engineering, PLLC has assisted both plaintiffs and defense, and most cases have been dropped or settled before reaching trial.

Construction Plan Review and Inspections

Construction plans and documents dictate how a building should be constructed. The plans and documents, especially for houses, often contain minimal information and leave aspects up to the builder. Architects may be involved, but in my experience, many are more concerned with form or appearance than function. It may look great on paper but not perform as expected when completed. Building Code officials do provide some assurance that the building will be completed to minimum health and safety standards, but the time allotted for each inspection is often to short for a complete, thorough inspection.

Moisture & Mold Issues

Mold and Moisture issues are an emphasis area of forensic investigations provided by RLC Engineering, PLLC. Since mold is a symptom of a moisture issue, determining the source and cause of the moisture is critical in addressing any mold problem. Whether the mold or moisture is associated with the building envelope, HVAC System, or indoor environment, RLC Engineering, PLLC can help. Typical clients range from owners and occupants to insurance companies to HVAC contractors.