YA Group was asked to investigate alleged roof damage and interior moisture intrusion at a residence in the Southwest. The 2000+ square foot home was originally constructed in 1998 and utilized a steep-slope roofing system with asphalt shingles. The client on this claim, an insurance carrier, asked YA’s construction and engineering experts for an immediate and thorough investigation and determination of cause and origin for the homeowner’s reported damages.
YA Group’s Area of Impact
As with all potentially weather-related claims, YA’s forensic engineer began the investigation with a review of location-specific weather and wind data. Immediately thereafter, YA deployed to the claim scene with the insured’s prospective roofing contractor and performed a thorough visual inspection, inclusive of the roof.
Capturing salient details and data with both photos and facts comprises a vital component of the cause and origin determination. Weather data showed no significant hail or wind events on the loss date, with maximum gusts of 35 mph recorded; the most notable prior event was a 50-mph wind gust four years earlier.
Finding A Solution
During the inspection, no evidence of hail or wind-related damage was found on exterior finishes or landscaping, with the only hail-consistent damage being cosmetic dents to the metal exhaust vents. The roof shingles were in fair to poor condition, showing exposure damage, granular loss, and poor adhesion, with several horizontally creased shingles noted in multiple locations. While creased shingles can be associated with wind events, the lack of bonding was attributed to a manufacturing defect or installation error, as properly bonded shingles would not lift even under 50 mph winds.
Overall, the roof appeared to be original construction and had reached or was approaching the end of its 15- to 20-year useful life.