Water Loss and Fire Loss Claims investigation
for Ceramic Tile and Stone Failures and Other Construction Defect Issues

CTASC provides comprehensive forensic investigations and expert analysis for claims involving water loss, moisture intrusion, fire loss, and other related damages that impact ceramic tile, stone, and various hard-surface installations. Our team of highly experienced consultants, inspectors, and construction scientists are located throughout the USA and Canada, allowing us to quickly respond to site inspections and claims evaluations.

Water or fire events often lead to a wide range of issues—such as tile delamination, moisture-related failures, structural damage beneath finishes, smoke or heat damage, and compromised installation systems. CTASC evaluates the full extent of the loss, identifies the cause of failure, and determines whether the affected materials are repairable or require full replacement.

During our forensic process, CTASC performs on-site inspections, quantitative and qualitative testing, moisture mapping, and when needed, laboratory testing to validate findings. We assess installation methods, material performance, and adherence to industry standards and building codes. Upon completing the investigation, CTASC provides clear recommendations for remediation, repair protocols, and quality control oversight to ensure proper restoration.

Local Ceramic Tile Inspectors and Local Stone Inspectors
Available Nationwide and in Canada

CTASC Expertise

CTASC is comprised of ceramic tile experts, porcelain tile experts, glass tile experts, glass block experts, brick experts, concrete tile (paver) experts, manufactured stone experts, terrazzo experts, and other types of experts for all ceramic and glass tile applications, stone applications, and a variety of construction defect applications and tile delamination failures.

CTASC is an expert at Carpet, Vinyl, LVT, Laminates, and Hardwood.  We have FCITS Certified Flooring and Hard Surface Master Inspectors.

Tile, Stone, Brick, and Terrazzo Forensic Failure Investigations: CTASC performs on-site forensic investigations to determine the cause of tile, stone, brick and terrazzo failures.  CTASC will perform the investigation not only to determine the cause of the failure, but to also determine if the failure is limited and repairable or if the failure is a systemic problem that will require a full replacement.  During the investigation process CTASC will perform field testing or recommend laboratory testing to determine or substantiate the cause of the failure. During the forensic failure analysis, CTASC will determine how best to remediate any deficiencies and provide recommendations.  CTASC can provide repair protocols and specifications, and provide quality assurance and control services during the repairs or replacements.

Insurance Claims: CTASC performs investigations for insurance claims losses where resultant damages have been alleged from water leaks, fire and smoke damage, and other damages to tile and stone applications.

CTASC specializes in construction defect high risk applications such as bathroom shower tile and stone failures, steam room tile and stone failures, exterior veneer tile and stone delamination failures, dome tile failures, exterior deck tile and stone failures (balcony failures), swimming pool tile delamination failures, and fountain tile delamination failures.

How Inspectors are Assigned

Who CTASC uses for their CTASC inspector, on any particular inspection, depends on the inspector’s location relative to the inspection site, the inspector’s availability, whether there are any conflicts of interest with the inspector, and the inspector’s experience and/or skill level relative to the nature of the inspection.

What CTASC Inspects

CTASC inspects ceramic tile and porcelain tile showers and steam rooms, stone showers, tiled swimming pools and spas, tile exterior veneers, tile exterior decks, tiled fountains, and many other types of ceramic tile installations and natural stone installations. CTASC also inspects Terrazzo, Terra Cotta, and brick installations.

CTASC performs failure investigations and inspections of tile or stone that cracks, delaminates or debonds or tents, that stains or spalls, that has been subjected to floods, fires or other conditions.CTASC has architects, engineers, and general contractors for inspecting all types of construction defect issues.

All CTASC inspectors are ITS Verified, as should all tile setters and helpers who install tile and stone be Qualified Tile Installers. The Tile Installer Thin-set Standards (ITS) Verification course instructs installers, setters and helpers, on industry standards, practices, and proper installation methods for tile thin-set applications that apply to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, stone tile, glass tile and other types of adhered tile materials. Click here for more information on the ITS Verification Course.CTASC is a National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) Recognized Consultant

NTCA is the largest tile installer association in the ceramic tile and stone industry, and they are extensively involved in developing industry standards through the ANSI A108 committee, the Tile Council of North America TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation committee, and their own NTCA Technical Committee. NTCA recognizes CTASC as a professional consultant for the ceramic tile and stone industries and recommends CTASC for those needing inspections, investigations, expert witness services, and other consulting services.

CTASC also performs inspections and investigations to determine if the ceramic tile and stone installations and applications meet industry standards such as those referenced in the TCNA Handbook (Tile Council of North America Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation), those standards referenced in the ANSI A108 American National Standard Specifications for the installation of Ceramic Tile – Material & Installation Standards, those standards referenced in the ANSI A137.1 American National Standard Specifications for Ceramic Tile, those standards referenced in the MIA Dimension Stone Design Manual (Marble Institute of America Dimension Stone Design Manual), and other standards such as BOCA (National Build Code of Administrators), CBC (California Building Code), IAMPO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials), IBC (International Building Code), IRC (International Residential Code), UBC (Uniform Building Code), UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code).

CTASC is also recognized by TTMAC, the Tile Terrazzo Marble Association of Canada, and has created courses detailing industry standards for Canada. Click here for more information.