Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Clark Seif Clark, Strengthening West Coast Capabilities for Environmental Claims, Disputes, and Catastrophe Response
Read MoreIn April 2025, J.S. Held was retained to evaluate the structural conditions of a single-story commercial building as it was reported to be experiencing a sagging ceiling and ponding. The structure, built with prefabricated wood roof trusses, showed signs of distress, and the team was asked to opine on the cause and repairability of the roof deflection. After inspection, the team concluded that there were substantive failures in the wood truss roof system and informed the client that the owner should immediately restrict access until the roof could be properly repaired.
J.S. Held’s Forensic Architecture & Engineering division was retained to evaluate the cause of the ceiling deformation and provide opinions and recommendations regarding repair of the identified issues. We began with an on-site inspection, focusing on analyzing the framing of the roof, including the trusses and their connections. This inspection was helpful in determining the causation of the roof deformation. We discovered disengaged fasteners and signs of water damage—evidence that the roof deformation most likely resulted from a combination of preexisting defects.
Following the inspection, there was no evidence that the structural roof system's distress was caused by a single, sudden event. To address the identified failures J.S. Held advised the installation of temporary shoring to stabilize the structure and prevent further displacement. We also advised reinforcing all affected connections through refastening or gusseting to enhance long-term durability. We recommended that all repair activities be carried out under the supervision of an Indiana licensed professional engineer to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and professional standards.
David Drengenberg
Area Lead
Forensic Architecture & Engineering
+1 708 312 4872
[email protected]
> Roof Evaluations
J.S. Held's roof consultants are renowned for their knowledge and experience evaluating residential, commercial, and industrial roof systems and related components.
> Water Intrusion Investigations
J.S. Held’s forensic architects and engineers are renowned for their expertise in investigating the cause and origin of water damage. Our team of experts perform thorough assessments to determine the presence of water damage, the extent of damage, and duration of damage.