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Escapes Of Water & Oil

Overview

Our team has extensive experience investigating a wide range of failures related to water and oil systems. This includes both vented and unvented systems, hot water storage cylinders, and gas or oil-fired boilers. We routinely assess issues caused by poorly or incorrectly made joints, inadequate support installations, and flawed system designs. Our investigations also cover failures resulting from excessive pressures, hydraulic shock (commonly known as water hammer), corrosion, manufacturing defects, freezing or frost damage, and mechanical impact. With a deep understanding of these systems and failure modes, we provide reliable and thorough forensic analysis to determine the cause and extent of damage.

Frequent Case Types

Separated joints

Separated joints

Connections between pipes or fittings fail due to movement, poor installation, or material fatigue. Forensic analysis focuses on identifying the cause of separation and whether it resulted from design flaws, external forces, or long-term degradation.

Faults & Breakages

Faults & Breakages

Components crack, fracture, or malfunction due to stress, impact, or material defects. Forensic analysis determines the root cause, assessing whether the issue arose from poor design, misuse, or manufacturing flaws.

Material Failures

Material Failures

Pipes, joints, or seals are compromised by corrosion, fatigue, chemical damage, or impact. Forensic analysis identifies the root cause, whether due to design flaws, material defects, or external factors.

System Design / Installation

System Design / Installation

Misaligned joints, inadequate materials, or lack of pressure control. Forensic analysis identifies these faults, determining whether the issue stems from design errors, poor workmanship, or non-compliance with industry standards.

Pressure Issues

Pressure Issues

Systems are over-pressurised or lack proper relief mechanisms. This can cause seals to fail, joints to separate, or components to rupture. Forensic analysis identifies whether the failure was due to design limitations, equipment malfunction, or operational error.

Corrosion

Corrosion

Corrosion can lead to the escape of water or oil by gradually weakening pipes, joints, or tanks until leaks or ruptures occur. From a forensic perspective, analysis focuses on identifying the type of corrosion, its causes, and whether it resulted from poor maintenance, environmental exposure, or material selection.

Frost Damage / Frozen Pipes

Frost Damage / Frozen Pipes

Freezing temperatures cause fluids to expand, leading to cracks or bursts in pipes and joints. Forensic analysis investigates the extent of the damage and whether insufficient insulation, poor design, or environmental factors contributed to the failure.

Sewage / Foul Water Drainage

Sewage / Foul Water Drainage

This can lead to leaks or contamination when pipes or joints deteriorate, become blocked, or are improperly installed. Forensic analysis examines the cause of the failure, assessing factors such as material degradation, blockages, or structural damage to determine the source and extent of the issue.

Fraudulent Water Leaks

Fraudulent Water Leaks

These involve intentional manipulation or misrepresentation of leak conditions to cause false claims or financial gain. From a forensic standpoint, investigations focus on detecting inconsistencies, assessing the authenticity of damage, and identifying any deliberate tampering or deception related to the reported leak.

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Phone

01702 337565

HEAD OFFICE

119 Shaftesbury Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, Essex SS1 3AN

Email

enq@engineering-forensics.co.uk