(561)-37-BUILD ENGINEERING@561BUILD.

com FLORIDA REGISTRATION NUMBER 34294

CAUSE & ORIGIN REPORT

123
August 29, 2022

1. Introduction
This Cause & Origin Report, prepared by South Florida Forensic Engineers herein as
(SFFE), presents a conclusion, property background, interview, a discussion, and
supporting documentation regarding the site visit conducted at the residence
(Photo 1) on August 31, 2022.
contacted us to conduct a Forensic Engineering
cause and origin assessment regarding the reported faucet leak. The initial inspection
was primarily visual, consisting of a walk-through of the property. Next, measurements
and photographic documentation of observed conditions were performed. Residents and/
or personnel with knowledge of the claim were interviewed when possible.

2. Conclusion
§ The physical evidence at the residence did not indicate the occurrence of resultant
damage from an overflow event due to a failed faucet or cast iron drain pipe blockage.
o The faucet was replaced prior to our site visit and was discarded, preventing our
assessment of the reportedly failed component.
o In a gravity fed drain system, water will exit the lowest fixture on the common drain
line, ie; the bathtub or toilet base. There was no evidence of this having occurred.
o Additionally, the provided did not locate a
drain pipe blockage.
§ Moisture damage to the Kitchen sink cabinet did not constitute resultant damage from
a faucet leak or overflow event; rather resulted from the following contributory moisture
sources.
o Water intrusion through the sink to counter interface, as indicated by the sealant
gaps and swollen cabinet directly below.

1
 o A historic leak from the right Kitchen sink drain connection, as noted by the
presence of accumulated deposits around the drain pipe connection, which did not
leak during limited testing performed on our site visit.
§ The referenced moisture sources occurred intermittently during occupant usage of the
Kitchen sink, over the service life of the installation, for a minimum time frame of 30
days or greater before the reported date of loss, as evidenced by the nature of the
moisture sources and extent of accumulated moisture damage, which was also
depicted in provided April 2020 adjuster photos.
§ We did not observe damage to the laminate flooring which feasibly resulted from a
plumbing failure.
o Localized swelling to floor planks was typical of occupant spillage, as indicated by
the location of damage along areas of frequent occupant usage.
o The shifted floor planks occurred due to improper perimeter restraint during
installation and prolonged foot traffic over the improperly installed floor. Lateral
forces imparted on the floor during daily loading from foot traffic gradually shifted
the floor planks, eventually resulting in gaps.
§ The actively increasing water meter display was caused by a drip from the rear hose
bib and was not indicative of a plumbing failure.
Observations, measurements, and details supporting these opinions and conclusions are
presented in Section 7, Observations & Analysis.

3. Property
3.1 General
The structure is described as a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom, single family residence with
1,286 square feet of interior living space. According to
, the structure was constructed in 1958 and has
owned the residence since 2019. For the purposes of this document, the front of the
structure was referenced to face North.
The exterior walls were constructed with concrete masonry units and were finished on the
outside with applied stucco. The interior walls were framed construction and finished with
plaster. The floor consisted of a concrete slab on grade.

3.2 Building Permits

A search of the did not locate historic building
permit records.

2
4. Interview
The homeowner, provided access to the residence and was not interviewed
due to representation by counsel.

5. Information Reviewed
We reviewed and examined the following documents.
▪ . April 7, 2021.
▪ . April 15, 2021.
▪ . April 20, 2021.
o depicted moisture stains and delaminated Kitchen sink cabinet Reviewed
1.
▪ . June 14, 2021.
o stated “The drain line is free flowing and this defect currently has no
negative effect on the operation of this drain line.
o depicted a cast iron drain pipe with extensive channeling
Reviewed 2.

Reviewed 1: depicted moisture stains and Reviewed 2: depicted a cast

delaminated Kitchen sink cabinet. iron drain pipe with channeling.

3
6. Engineering Principles

7. Observations & Analysis

The following information, photos, observations, and measurements were collected and
offered in support of Section 2, Conclusion:

7.1 Interior Observations Photo

Kitchen 2
Faucet condition consistent with previous replacement. 3-4
Sink drained freely during limited testing. 5
Sealant gaps between the countertop and backsplash interface. 6
Swollen sink base cabinet below the countertop and backsplash. 7-8
Accumulated deposits at right sink drain connections. 9
Moisture stained and delaminated sink cabinet bottom shelf. 10
No discernable uniform swelling to cabinet toe kicks. 11

Hallway Bathroom 12

4
Fixtures drained freely during limited testing. 13
No discernible water marks at lower fixtures or finishes. 14-15

Master Bathroom 16
Fixtures drained freely during limited testing. 17
No discernible watermarks at lower fixtures or finishes. 18

Photo 2: Kitchen overview. Photo 3: Kitchen sink overview.

Photo 4: Kitchen. Faucet condition consistent with Photo 5: Kitchen. Sink drained freely during limited
previous replacement. testing.

5
Photo 6: Kitchen. Sealant gaps between the countertop Photo 7: Kitchen sink cabinet overview.
and backsplash interface.

Photo 8: Kitchen. Swollen sink base cabinet below the Photo 9: Kitchen. Accumulated deposits at right sink
countertop and backsplash. drain connections.

Photo 10: Kitchen. Moisture stained and delaminated Photo 11: Kitchen. No discernable uniform swelling to
sink cabinet bottom shelf. cabinet toe kicks.

6
Photo 12: Hallway Bathroom overview. Photo 13. Hallway Bathroom. Fixtures drained freely
during limited testing.

Photo 14: Hallway Bathroom. No discernible water Photo 15: Hallway Bathroom. No discernible water
marks at lower fixtures or finishes. marks at lower fixtures or finishes.

Photo 16: Master Bathroom overview. Photo 17: Master Bathroom. Fixtures drained freely
during limited testing.

7
 Photo 18: Master Bathroom. No discernible watermarks
at lower fixtures or finishes.

7.2 Flooring Observations Photo

Kitchen 19
Swollen floor planks along areas of frequent foot traffic. 20
Widespread gaps between floor planks. 21

Dining Room 22
Widespread gaps between floor planks 23
Delaminated floor plank finish in areas of frequent foot traffic. 24

Living Room 25
Widespread gaps between floor planks. 26
Swollen floor planks along areas of frequent foot traffic. 27

Hallway 28
Widespread shifted floor planks 29

8
Photo 19: Kitchen flooring overview. Photo 20: Kitchen. Swollen floor planks along areas of
frequent foot traffic.

Photo 21: Kitchen. Widespread gaps between floor Photo 22: Dining Room flooring overview.
planks.

Photo 23: Dining Room. Widespread gaps between floor Photo 22: Dining Room. Delaminated floor plank finish
planks. in areas of frequent foot traffic.

9
Photo 25: Living Room flooring overview. Photo 26: Living Room. Widespread gaps between floor
planks.

Photo 27: Living Room. Swollen floor planks along Photo 28: Hallway flooring overview.
areas of frequent foot traffic.

Photo 29: Living Room. Swollen floor planks along

areas of frequent foot traffic.

10
7.3 Exterior Observations Photo

Water meter numerical display increased while water was not in use. 30
Advanced corrosion and active leak from rear elevation hose bib. 31

Photo 30: Exterior. Water meter numerical display Photo 31: Exterior. Advanced corrosion and active leak
increased while water was not in use. from rear elevation hose bib.

8. Report Limits

11