Mould Growth & Dampness

The most common issue that I deal with. This involves a specialist forensic investigation into the root causes of dampness and mould proliferation within the built environment.

This service evaluates complex failures within the building envelope—such as rising damp, bridging cavity insulation, thermal bridging and psychrometric imbalance—that allow both green and toxic black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum) to thrive.

The assessment examines how building physics and compromised ventilation contribute to moisture accumulation, delivering clear diagnostic reports alongside actionable, long-term prevention and remediation strategies.

Odours and Smells Affecting Building Occupants

Detailed forensic tracing and path-of-travel analysis to identify, isolate, and resolve persistent, hazardous, or unexplained odours and gas escapes within occupied properties.

Premature Corrosion & Material Degradation

Forensic investigation into the mechanisms causing premature corrosion, severe rust, and aggressive material breakdown across building services infrastructure and structural components. This assessment identifies environmental factors, moisture ingress, chemical exposure, or galvanic reactions that lead to accelerated system failure, compromised containment, and structural defectiveness, delivering clear remediation strategies to safeguard critical assets.

Masonry Spalling & Building Fabric Degradation

Forensic evaluation of severe building envelope degradation, including masonry spalling, render delamination, frost attack and salt crystallization.

This service investigates root cause mechanisms such as interstitial moisture trapping, inappropriate coatings, pointing failures and thermal stress, providing specified repair strategies to arrest structural decay and restore wall integrity.

Structural Defects, Timber Decay & Joint Settlement

Detailed pathology investigation into structural defects, timber decay (including wet and dry rot), lintel failure and differential movement, by assessing the interaction between moisture pathways, structural loads and material age.

This service diagnoses sub-surface timber rot and masonry displacement, delivering clear remedial specifications to de-risk property assets.

Water Ingress and Staining

Specialist diagnostic investigations utilising thermal imaging, moisture profiling, and targeted testing to pinpoint the exact entry points and root causes of structural leaks, dampness, and condensation.

Energy Consumption

Specialist diagnostic investigations to identify the root causes of poor energy efficiency within mechanical and electrical systems. This forensic analysis targets failing or degraded systems suffering from high energy costs, excessive operation costs, and escalating maintenance costs, providing targeted solutions to optimise building performance and reduce financial waste.

Electrical Faults

Technical investigations into circuit failures, power quality anomalies, distribution system defects, and overheating components to eliminate fire hazards and prevent critical system downtime.

Overheating & Underperforming Systems

Forensic analysis of buildings that suffer from severe overheating during summer months and fail to maintain comfortable thermal performance in winter. These investigations diagnose the complex, intersecting factors of building physics, failing or inadequate ventilation systems, and air permeability that compromise environmental control and occupant comfort.

Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the environmental condition of the air within and around buildings, specifically as it relates to the health, comfort and cognitive performance of occupants.

Unlike obvious defects like water leaks or visible structural damage, poor indoor air quality is frequently invisible and odourless, allowing harmful environmental stressors to accumulate entirely undetected. Because human senses are poorly equipped to gauge microscopic atmospheric changes, degraded air quality often goes unnoticed until occupants begin to report systemic health complaints, chronic fatigue, or reduced productivity.

The microscopic composition of indoor air plays a critical role in human physiology. Particulate matter—specifically ultra-fine PM2.5 particles—can bypass the upper respiratory tract's natural filtration and penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels from inadequate ventilation directly impair cognitive function, executive decision-making, and concentration. Furthermore, off-gassing from modern building materials, furnishings, cleansers, and finishes releases harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and toxins such as formaldehyde. Prolonged exposure to these airborne contaminants is directly linked to respiratory irritation, headaches, severe allergic responses, and long-term health degradation.

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome is frequently used as a broad catch-all phrase to describe environments where occupants suffer persistent physical or psychological discomfort that directly impairs their well-being.

In a commercial setting, this manifests as an inability to concentrate or maintain normal productivity; in a domestic residential environment, it prevents occupants from simply relaxing or achieving restful sleep.

The underlying triggers are often subtle, intermittent, and difficult for non-specialists to articulate. Factors such as transient odours, poor lighting design, low-frequency vibration, or faint tonal noises that only become apparent during quiet periods can be intensely disruptive. Left unresolved, these environmental stressors build significant occupant frustration and anxiety—acting as an unseen barrier to comfort and performance much like an ergonomically damaging desk or chair.

Specialist forensic investigation examines the subtle interplay between building physics, mechanical services, acoustic performance, and environmental controls to isolate these obscure stressors, rectify the root causes, and restore a healthy, productive indoor environment.

Fire and Catastrophic Failure

A comprehensive forensic service for major incidents where plant or systems have failed catastrophically, caught fire, or forced building closure. This involves a holistic, systematic inspection of the building, thoroughly reviewing technical drawings, maintenance logs, and records alongside on-site visual checks, testing, and material sampling to deliver an authoritative report on root causation and liability costs.