Coating inspection
Independent third-party inspection, from surface preparation to the final film.
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Service 04
Failure investigation
When a coating fails you need the real cause, backed by evidence, and a fix that stops it happening again.
Overview
Why it matters
Blistering, flaking, rust bloom, poor adhesion, colour or gloss that will not match: every failure has a cause, and it is often upstream of the paint shop. We investigate on site, test methodically and use structured root-cause analysis to find out what went wrong.
Our reports separate facts from opinions, so they are useful whether you are fixing a process, settling a disagreement or protecting your warranty position.
When to call us
- A coating has failed in service, sooner than it should have.
- Your client has rejected finished work and you need an independent view.
- The same defect keeps coming back and nobody agrees why.
- Two parties disagree over who is responsible for a failure.
What is included
How we deliver failure investigation
- 01
Site survey
Extent and pattern of the failure mapped and photographed, with the service environment recorded.
- 02
Testing
Film thickness, adhesion, cross-cut, holiday detection and soluble salt testing, with samples taken where laboratory analysis is needed.
- 03
Records review
Specification, product batches, climate logs and inspection records compared with what was actually applied.
- 04
Root-cause analysis
Structured methods such as 5 Whys and cause-and-effect analysis, to separate the root cause from the symptoms.
- 05
Remedial specification
A repair procedure and inspection plan that addresses the cause, not just the visible damage.
- 06
Prevention
Practical changes to preparation, application, inspection or design that stop the failure recurring.
What you receive
- Investigation report with findings and photographic evidence
- Root cause and contributing factors
- Remedial specification and inspection plan
- Preventive action recommendations
Standards we work to
Referenced as the specification requires. See our standards guides for plain-English explanations.
- ISO 4628
- ISO 4624
- ISO 2409
- ISO 8502-6
- ISO 19840
- ISO 12944
Industries
Where we deliver this most
Energy and utilities
Power generation, substations, water and wastewater assets, where coatings are often renewed inside short planned outages.
Bridges and highway structures
Steel bridges, gantries and highway structures, protected for decades and often repainted under traffic management.
Marine and offshore
Offshore wind, port infrastructure and marine structures in the harshest corrosivity categories, from the Haven ports to the offshore wind hubs.
Questions
Failure investigation: common questions
How long does an investigation take?
A straightforward defect can often be diagnosed from one site visit and a short report. Complex or disputed failures take longer, especially where laboratory testing is involved. We will give you a clear scope and timescale up front.
Will the report stand up in a dispute?
Our reports are factual, methodical and fully referenced, recording what was measured, how and where. For formal proceedings we will tell you honestly whether an expert witness is the better route.
Can you look at photos first?
Yes. Send photos with the enquiry form and we can often tell you what the likely causes are and what a site visit needs to check.
Related
Often booked together
Specification development
Coating specifications and system selection matched to environment, life and budget.
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Quality assurance and QC
Inspection and test plans, QC systems and documentation your clients will trust.
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Talk to us about failure investigation
Tell us about the job. We respond to all enquiries within one working day, with a clear scope and price.
Prefer to talk? Call 07810 022184