What does this roof inspection checklist cover?

11 items across 4 sections, covering deck and substrate, underlayment and flashing, penetrations and edge, drainage and closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

Roofing foreman on their own work, or the GC's superintendent before the roof is accepted and covered.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Twice: once at dry-in, before the finish layer covers the underlayment and flashing, and again at completion before the deck is loaded with equipment.

Why does every item ask for a photo?

All 11 items call for photo evidence, 19 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails a roof inspection?

Flashing photographed after the finish layer went on, so nobody can see how it was lapped. Penetration boots counted but not photographed individually. Positive drainage claimed with no shot of standing water, or of the absence of it, after a wet test.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Roof inspection checklist

Roofs fail at the details: the penetrations, the transitions and the terminations, long before the field of the roof gives up. This checklist walks the assembly in the order it goes together, so the photo that matters is taken while the layer underneath is still visible.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Deck and substrate

Deck dry, sound and swept before cover
No standing water, no soft or delaminated sheathing, no fasteners standing proud, no debris under the membrane line.
Fastening pattern matches the approved layout
Spacing at field, perimeter and corner zones; no overdriven or missed fasteners.
Slope and crickets built as designed
Water is directed to drains or scuppers, with crickets behind every curb wider than the drainage path.

Underlayment and flashing

Underlayment lapped in the direction of drainage
Laps shingle-style downslope, side laps staggered, no reverse laps at valleys.
Base and counter flashing at every vertical
Flashing carried up the wall, counter-flashed or reglet-set, terminated and sealed.
Valley and transition details complete
Continuous metal or membrane through the valley, no butt joints left open.

Penetrations and edge

Every penetration flashed and sealed
One photo per pipe, curb, vent and conduit: boot seated, clamped and sealed at the top.
Equipment curbs sealed and level
Curb flashed above the finished roof line, unit set level, condensate routed off the roof.
Edge metal, drip edge and terminations secured
Continuous cleat or fastening at the required spacing, laps sealed, no oil-canning at corners.

Drainage and closeout

Drains, scuppers and gutters clear and flowing
Strainers in place, no debris, water leaves the roof at every low point.
Roof clear of debris and staged material
Fasteners, offcuts and packaging removed; nothing left to puncture the membrane.

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Flashing photographed after the finish layer went on, so nobody can see how it was lapped.
Penetration boots counted but not photographed individually.
Positive drainage claimed with no shot of standing water, or of the absence of it, after a wet test.

Common questions

6 answers

What does this roof inspection checklist cover?: 11 items across 4 sections, covering deck and substrate, underlayment and flashing, penetrations and edge, drainage and closeout. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: Roofing foreman on their own work, or the GC's superintendent before the roof is accepted and covered.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Twice: once at dry-in, before the finish layer covers the underlayment and flashing, and again at completion before the deck is loaded with equipment.
Why does every item ask for a photo?: All 11 items call for photo evidence, 19 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails a roof inspection?: Flashing photographed after the finish layer went on, so nobody can see how it was lapped. Penetration boots counted but not photographed individually. Positive drainage claimed with no shot of standing water, or of the absence of it, after a wet test.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

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Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 19 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.