Plateau Inc. Building Science, Diagonostics, Forensics and Building Environmental Quality. Specializing in building assessment, mold, asbestos, corrective design.

Building Diagnostics/Forensics

Of everything we do, building diagnostics is the most enjoyable. The more complicated the problem the more we like it.

A good diagnostician usually has a solid background in building science, construction and testing. A knowledge of structures, HVAC, building codes, psychrometrics, hygro-thermal analysis is essential, especially when someone's health is at stake.

We have solved complex problems with building envelopes, commercial and residential HVAC, fungal growth, building failure, pipe failure, structural defects, and many more. We pride ourselves in this ability, so much so that we will not charge for our time if we cannot find the problem.

Take a look below at some of our work.

View some of our work

This water main failed and flooded a home. The insurance company claimed it was not the fault of their client. Our analysis proved otherwise. Evaluation of the crack showed that it progressed in two stages. Cracking caused by corrosion was the first stage, followed by cracking from excessive in service stresses. We were able to prove that the second stage of cracking was caused by the negligence of the insurance company's client. The insurance company paid for our clients' damages.

This client had serious physical ailments from causes unknown, but mold was a suspected cause. Thermal imaging of the home revealed numerous anomalies like the one on the right. Investigation revealed that not only did the home have mold problems, but it was seriously infested with mice (hundreds of them), living in the walls and ceiling. The photo on the far left shows the remnants of a rodent nest in the location of the thermal image.

This moldy and rotten attic was thought to be the only problem with this home. The cause was a combination of poor ventilation and excessive humidity. We informed the potential buyer that the inaccessible portions of the cathedral ceiling were suspect as well. A core test of the roof sheathing proved we were correct. The entire roof was affected by moisture and fungal growth!

Plateau has helped hundreds of clients with complex problems in commercial and residential buildings. In many cases we have saved our clients thousands of dollars and have even saved a few lives along the way. Now you know why we enjoy it so much. We have worked for owners, builders, renters, property managers and real estate agents. If you need to know the truth, we will find it.