Roof, Waterproofing, and Building Envelope Consulting:

We provide consulting services for a wide range of weather protection considerations including: system selection, building code compliance, California energy code roofing compliance (California Title 24, Part 6), wind uplift resistance (Factory Mutual Global 1-60 and 1-90), fire resistance (Underwriter Laboratory, ASTM E108, and hourly assembly ratings), condensation, ventilation, construction fume / dust / noise control, historic preservation and reconstruction, and other issues related to a building’s weather protection systems. We specialize in providing solutions to unique and challenging roof, waterproofing, and building envelope problems.

System Experience and Expertise Includes:

– Low Sloped Roofs: asphalt built up & coal tar built up roofs with cap sheet, aggregate and smooth surfaced including coatings; SBS SEBS APP & coal tar modified bitumen; EPDM PVC TPO EP™ Elvaloy® KEE chlorosulfonated polyethylene CSPE Hypalon® single ply; SPF SPUF PUF sprayed polyurethane foam; urethane acrylic silicone elastomeric coating; air retarders; structural trapezoidal seam metal; parapet wall coverings; traffic pedestrian & vehicle slip resistant deck coatings.

– Roof Insulation: polyisocyanurate perlite wood fiber fiberglass polystyrene EPS extruded XEPS molded bead MEPS tapered R value U factor.

– Steep Sloped Roofs: 3 tab strip architectural laminated asphalt shingles, concrete tile, clay tile, metal tile, slate, architectural structural standing seam metal, synthetic, wood shingles, wood shakes, underlayment, vapor barrier, vapor retarder, radiant barriers.

– Waterproofing Systems: plaza decks, patio decks, planters, elastomeric wall coatings, below grade, basements, drain tile, drainage medium, retaining walls, excavations, soldier pile and lagging, dewatering systems, blind side waterproofing, water table leakage, special hydrostatic head resistant membranes, crystalline concrete coatings.

– Wall Claddings: concrete, cement masonry unit (CMU), brick, cavity walls, EIFS, window flashings, injection (epoxy crack injection & urethane crack injection) and sealants (e.g., urethane, butyl, polysulfide, silicone including extruded tape sealants)

Litigation Support Consultation & Expert Witness:

Technical Roof Services (TRS) and Pacific Building Consultants (PBC) personnel have experience and recognized expertise in a broad range of roof and waterproofing systems and in a board range of industry aspects - including design, construction, and materials testing. As a result, our personnel are often retained as expert witnesses to assist resolving disputes in cases involving alleged construction defects, roof product class action, personal injury (e.g., slip and fall, fall through roof, fall off roof, roof hatch injury, fall through skylight, fall through hole), patent infringement, and property damage.

Phil Dregger Curriculum Vitae
John Goveia Curriculum Vitae
Chris Nelson Curriculum Vitae
Brett Brogan Curriculum Vitae

Leak Investigation and Analysis:

Not all “roof” leaks are roof covering system or roof assembly related. Diagnosing chronic leaks, whether the stains are observed on ceilings, walls, near windows, louvers or beneath roof top unit equipment such as fans, Air Handling Units, Air Conditioners, Evaporative Cooler, Skylights and other manufactured equipment, can require analytical skills, persistence, and sometimes involves use of moisture detection devices and observation during winds. We have a good understanding of building construction and of the many different ways water can enter and migrate through a building’s roofs and walls. This knowledge is essential for identifying the sometimes multiple water entry pathways associated with reported leaks, and how to fix them.

Property Claims:

Earthquakes, strong winds, hail, lightning, falling objects, fire, and the weight of ice, snow drifts and ponded water can collapse or otherwise damage roofs and cause leaks. “Wear and tear” and “latent construction defects” can also cause leaks. Our staff has investigated numerous reports of property damage and provided opinions regarding what caused it and how it can be repaired. Our staff has also authored several technical articles on investigating roof wind damage, including hurricanes.

Special Weather Issues:

We have investigated roof damages due to hail, tornadoes, wind, and hurricanes including Hurricane Andrew, Tropical Storm Gordon, Hurricane Iniki, Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Katrina. We are proud to have volunteered our services as part of the cooperative research program sponsored by the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Department of Energy (DOE) to investigate the performance of roofs after major hurricanes. We have served the RICOWI/DOE program as pre-event instructors for prospective the field investigators, by heading up field investigation teams, and by authoring sections and peer reviewing portions of their March 2006 report regarding the performance of roofs during Hurricanes Ivan and Charley. We also participated in field investigations after Hurricane Katrina as part of the on going RICOWI/DOE wind investigation program.

Historic Structures:

We have provided consultation on over 40 historic buildings with have various type of roof and wall cladding systems. Buildings include some award winning notable structures such as San Francisco City Hall and Opera House, Coit Tower, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Marin Civic Center and Marin Veterans’ Memorial Dome, San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, Palace of Legion of Honor and many others.

Lectures and Technical Publications:

TRS/PBC personnel are often been called upon to provide technical information regarding issues pertinent to the roof and waterproofing industry. We are currently assisting the California Energy Commission in developing training programs and a training video regarding new energy efficiency requirements (e.g., Cool Roofs) for low-sloped, non-residential roofs in California (e.g., Title 24, Part 6). TRS/PBC personnel routinely publish technical articles and serve as guest lecturers for industry association meetings, university courses, educational programs, seminars and roofing apprenticeship programs.

Roof Condition Reports:

Periodic roof condition reports provide a road map for identifying potential roof problems and can assist property owners and managers in planning future roof repairs and replacements. When purchasing an existing building, it is helpful to obtain an opinion of the condition of the roof and likely roof related repair costs.

Roof Moisture Surveys:

Our staff has experience using nuclear, infrared and capacitance equipment to identify the size and location of moisture within roof assemblies. When the size and location of wet areas in a roof assembly is known, cost effective decisions about whether to repair or replace the roof system can be made. 

Construction Documents:

Quality weather protection systems begin with quality construction documents. Whether it is planning for new construction or replacing existing systems, TRS can assist by reviewing roof, waterproofing and building envelop system options, and by assisting with the development of specifications and drawings. We have a reputation for providing thorough specifications and detailed drawings.

Construction Visits:

Consultations and periodic site visit services during construction are recommended, as a minimum, as part of an owner’s overall quality program. TRS can assist by conducting pre-roof meetings, performing intermittent site visits, and by providing reports of our observations and communications. Final site visits, documenting aspects of the construction that are apparently incomplete and/or non-compliant, as well as review of specified warranties can also be provided.

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