Hurricane/Water Damage Inspection Services

Hurricane season is upon us, striking with a vengeance earlier than usual. High winds, pelting rains, storm surges and flooding bring waters that can contain highly agressive chloride ions (salt) that can lead to accelerated corrosion and damage on a wide variety of materials (galvanized steel, concrete, roof deck, etc.). In terms of liability, it's up to property owners to prove damaged assets were damaged as a result of these hurricane forces.  Fortunately, there are an array of analytical test methods and equipment that can be used to differentiate corrosion characteristics that can be used to support insurance claims.

What's the first step? The most important thing for a client is to get an assessment and photo documentation immediately, while early damage is apparent. It is also important to provide this as a benchmark against which to measure damage that takes some time to show up.

The most important type of damage is from water, particularly salt water, especially as it effects corrosion of metal, electrical components and wiring. In addition, moisture itself, especially when trapped and prevented from drying out, can be a major source of damage. Some building components are supposed to never get wet: plaster or wall board, insulation, all electronic components are good examples of materials to maintain permanently dry. Wood components may also be susceptible to damage from trapped moisture.

Beyond mere moisture, the composition of the wetting liquid is also important. Salt water is far worse a promoting corrosion than fresh water. The chloride ions react with most metals to begin an almost limitless cycle of pitting in steel and copper. Galvanized steel is also highly susceptible to localized corrosion.

Roofs are another area of major concern in post-hurricane damage assessment. Flat roofs are particularly susceptible to leaking after high wind stress. Documentation of water damage from roof failures is a major part of post-hurricane rapid response.

In another case we were asked to evaluate Type 347 stainless steel tubing in an oil refinery in New Orleans for stress corrosion cracking. This refinery was exposed to six feet of sea water during Hurrcane Katrina. Detection of stress corrosion cracking or exposures that may result in stress corrosion cracking is not an easy task. Recently MATCO was asked to determine if Hurricane Katrina exposure of a refinery vessel in New Orleans has resulted in or provided conditions for stress corrosion cracking. We performed an on-site investigation to evaluate and detemine if thse conditions are present for SCC. The principal techniques for testing were: Chloride concentration determination by several techniques, electrochemical potential measurments, high magnification digital microscopy and replica / depsoit analysis of HAZ in the weldments. It was found that a combined testing and evaluation strategy is required to mitigate the risk of SCC failure.

MATCO can provide professionally certified corrosion specialists for the field assessment plus experienced laboratory back up for analysis of samples. Our team has performed such analyses nation and worldwide, and will travel to your project site at a moments notice for emergency evaluations

TABLE OF SERVICES PROVIDED

Our team is comprised of certified and experienced personnel from a variety of technical disciplines; from mechanical engineering to paint inspection to chemistry to metallurgy and materials science. We also have a vast array of laboratory and field testing equipment. All of MATCO's testing equipment is calibrated on a routine basis in accordance with both national and international standards, and is ready to be put to use at a moment's notice.

The MATCO team has experience working in many diverse fields; from materials evaluation, component damage inspection, structural integrity, electrical damage assessment, cathodic protection to paint inspection to failure analysis to remaining life determination. Some of our clients include Allegheny Energy, US Airways and Michael Baker Company.

Some of our Inspection Team Members are shown below:

Dr. Zee                           Mr. Ed Larkin

Dr. George Bayer            Mr. Geoff Rhodes

Mr. Marty Latona             Ms. Debra Riley

Dr. Huiping Xu                 Mr. Marty Latona

Mr. Sam Scheinman        Ms. Heather Groll