A video describing more design flaws that cause insurance claims and litigation

• 19659006] material selection; or
• incorrect installation.

Joint defects

Joint defects in building facades and coatings are generally related to sealing defects. The joints are protected against water penetration and air infiltration with the help of sealant or mortar. Many types of sealants are used, including silicones, polyurethanes and polysulfides, as well as acrylic, latex and butyl based sealants. Common sealing defects involve the following:

• loss of bond to the substrate;
• separations in the sealant;
• loss of flexibility; and / or
• aging and weathering.

Balcony or deck faults

Balcony and deck faults may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• incorrect blinking;
• incorrect threshold transfer from deck to sliding door or front door;
• incorrect transition from deck to wall;
• improper drainage or slope to drain;
• incorrect tire finish (coatings); and / or
• incorrect installation of tire drain.

Ground or grading defects

Ground movement can cause extreme damage to a structure, including cracking and "swinging" of plates and scalp. It can also cause separations of plaster and stucco or complete destruction of the structure. Damage can be caused by a major event, such as a landslide, or by very slow processes called side fill extension or "slope creep."

Chinese drywall

Over the past ten years, US construction companies have spent millions of pounds. of Chinese-made plaster wall because it was plentiful and cheap. That decision is causing serious concern for builders, developers, insurance companies and hundreds of homeowners and apartment owners who believe that wallboards emit smoke that can corrode copper pipes, black jewelry and cutlery and possibly make people sick.

© 2021 – Barry Zalma

Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, now limits his practice to serving as an insurance consultant specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance shortfalls and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and insurers. He also acts as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance-related disputes. He practiced law in California for more than 44 years as an insurance coverage and claims lawyer and more than 52 years in the insurance industry. He is available at http://www.zalma.com and zalma@zalma.com.

Mr. Zalma is the first recipient of the first annual Claims Magazine / ACE Legend Award.

For the past 53 years, Barry Zalma has devoted his life to insurance, insurance claims and the need to defeat insurance fraud. He has created the following library of books and other materials to enable insurance companies and their claims staff to become insurance claims staff.