We Uncover the Truth behind Tile & Stone

Texas Tile & Stone Forensics is the leading tile and stone inspection consultancy in the Lone Star State.

But don’t take our word for it. We are a National Tile Contractors Association Industry Recognized Tile & Stone Consultant, Regional CTEF/CTI Evaluator, and NTCA State Ambassador for Texas. We serve both residential and commercial clients across Texas and throughout the United States.

  • "We suspected our builder cut corners. Texas Tile and Stone Forensics proved it. Their meticulous inspection revealed all the incorrect methods used, and their report helped us get the repairs covered. Couldn't be more grateful for their help."

    Mike & Susan K.

  • "Erin and Triniti from TX Tile & Stone Forensics provided a thorough investigation of our tile failure. Their findings were clear and actionable, which helped us rectify the problem and address the accountability. Their expertise is top-notch."

    Phillp M.

  • "I was so frustrated when the tile in my new "luxury" home started coming loose. Texas Tile & Stone Forensics were amazing—they explained everything that went wrong with the installation and provided a clear path to fix it. They saved me a lot of stress and money."

    Debbie W.

  • "Thanks to Erin, we were able to understand why our stone installation failed. Her insights were crucial in fixing the issue and ensuring we weren't left with the bill. Truly grateful for all the help and knowledge.”

    Martin & Liz G.

Our Expert Services

Forensic Failure Investigation

We'll visit your site to conduct a thorough forensic analysis of the issue. We specialize in deconstructing installations to uncover the root cause of failures that aren't visible from the surface. This thorough examination helps us determine if the correct methods, standards, and materials were used in your project — based on the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook and ANSI standards. After our inspection, we will provide you with a confidential written report outlining our findings, and recommending the best steps for remediation — including whether safe repair is possible.

Insurance Claim Investigation

Our knowledge has been called upon in slip and fall cases as well as technical failures. We perform investigations for insurance claims losses, personal injury, or when homeowners suspect their builder or contractor did not follow correct standards and methods. Our investigation is based on the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook and ANSI standards. We have helped many homeowners recoup the cost of total replacement when their projects were done incorrectly.

Quality Control

Our expert field representation and quality control services ensure your projects meet standards, stay on schedule, and within budget — delivering top quality and performance even in high-risk applications. Our pre-construction consultations pinpoint critical systems and details that need attention. We recommend the right materials, methods, and labor specs to save you time and money — especially on complex projects. Need on-the-job oversight or consultation? We’re here to make sure everything is done by the book, providing the expertise and guidance you need for an on-schedule, on-budget project.

Tile & Stone Installation Issues

Just moved into a new expensive home and your bathroom shower is already cracking with tile coming loose? Maybe you recently renovated a hotel and a few months later, all the tile in your beautiful lobby is cracking. We’ve seen it all. The builder or contractor is saying they did everything right. But unfortunately, we see defective workmanship every day. If tile fails it is usually because incorrect methods, standards or materials were used. We help uncover what went wrong so you can take the necessary steps to fix it properly and hold the responsible parties accountable. With our expert analysis and detailed reports, you'll have the evidence you need to make informed decisions and protect your investment.

Expert Witness

We offer expert witness services with a deep understanding of installation failures and national standards. Our expertise allows us to effectively analyze the facts of each case and provide reliable representation for both plaintiffs and defendants.
Erin’s credentials include

  • NTCA 5-Star Contractor

  • Ceramic Tile Education Foundation BoD

  • NTCA State Director for Texas

  • NTCA Education & Training Committee

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Gauged Porcelain Technical Committee

  • TCNA Handbook Committee

    Erin received her Master’s Degree in Education. She is often called upon to speak at national ceramic tile industry events. We understand the need to give clear, professional testimony at depositions, arbitrations, and court hearings.

Testing

We offer testing to verify product and installation method suitability before, during, and after installation. For failures, our scientific approach and comprehensive testing services help determine the cause and mechanisms. Our testing capabilities include

  • Site Testing of Tile Assemblies

  • Petrographic and Chemical analysis

  • Replication Mock-up Testing

  • Microbial (mold) Testing

  • ASTM Physical Properties Testing

  • Natural Stone Moisture Sensitive Dimension Stability Testing

  • Accelerated Weathering Testing

  • Mechanical Anchor ASTM C1354 testing

  • Slip Resistance Testing

Welcome to our appointment booking portal

To book an appointment with Texas Tile & Stone Forensics, please fill out our contact form with your details and a brief description of what brought you to our site. You can expect to hear back from us within one business day.

Thank you for considering Texas Tile & Stone Forensics for your consultation needs. You can trust in our expertise to guide you through every step of the process.

Who we are

We are the cowboy-hat-wearing Sherlock Holmes of the tile and stone world — solving installation mysteries, investigating failure cases, and providing expert witness services. Led by industry experts Erin Albrecht & Triniti Vigil, we work with a number of ceramic tile consultants, stone consultants, ceramic tile and stone installers, architects, engineers, general contractors, construction scientists and other industry specialists to uncover the truth behind your tile or stone problems.

Erin Albrecht

Erin is the owner and President of 5-Star Tile Installation Firm, J&R Tile, and a driving force in the architectural and development communities. Known for her direct client partnerships, her previous engagements include prestigious projects with Frost Bank, Southwest Research Institute, Trinity University, Graystreet Partners, and more. With J&R, Erin has won a number of national industry installation and design awards. Erin’s background in education and management has been instrumental in leading J&R Tile’s continuous education and certification programs, fostering a culture of learning and excellence.

Erin’s dedication to promoting the trades is evident in her partnership with the Texas Workforce Commission and Austin Community College, creating one of only two tile-based Department of Labor-approved apprenticeships in the United States. Her credentials include:

  • Founder: Ceramic Tile Education Foundation - Texas

  • Board of Directors: Ceramic Tile Education Foundation

  • State Director-Texas: National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA)

  • Education & Training Committee Member: NTCA

  • Thin Porcelain Tile Subcommittee Member: NTCA

  • Pro Wedi Installer

Erin holds a Master’s of Education from Concordia University and a Bachelor of Science from UTSA & Concordia University, where she was also an NCAA athlete.

Triniti Vigil

Triniti is one of the most credentialed and accomplished tile craftsmen in the country. He is one of fewer than 40 Advanced Certified Tile (ACT) Installers in the United States. In 2022, Triniti was honored as the National Tile Contractors Association Craftsperson of the Year. As a Regional Evaluator for the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation, he is an expert in proper standards and methods. He also helps more installers become certified across Texas.

His extensive certifications include:

  • Advanced Certified Installer & Certified Tile Installer

    • Thin Porcelain Tile

    • Large Format Tile

    • Mud Floors

    • Mud Walls

    • Substrate Preparation

    • Shower Receptors

  • Stonepeak Plane F.A.C.T. Certification

  • Ardex Academy Moisture Remediation

  • Dekton Certified Installer

  • Wedi Pro Installer

  • OSHA 10 Certified

  • Schluter Shower System Certified

  • Heated Underlayment Certification

Who we serve

  • Architects

  • Attorneys

  • Builders

  • Dealers

  • Designers

  • Distributors

  • Estimators

  • General Contractors

  • Homeowners

  • Installers

  • Insurance Companies

  • Project Managers

  • Specification Writers

Get in Touch

Looking to collaborate? Fill out your details below and we'll get back to you promptly. We're eager to connect with you to learn how we can help.