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Asphalt paving inspection checklists

Asphalt paving inspection checklists for the rough-in, final and punch walks: 3 free lists, 35 items and 34 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo evidence it needs.

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The asphalt paving walks, in build order

Asphalt paving Rough-inAsphalt paving rough-in inspection checklistSubgrade and aggregate base compaction, grade and cross-slope verified before paving buries it14 items13 photosAsphalt paving FinalAsphalt paving final inspection checklistFinished mat checked for thickness, joints, density, smoothness and drainage before striping13 items14 photosAsphalt paving PunchAsphalt paving punch checklistCloseout walk for raveling, birdbaths after rain, joint sealing and markings8 items7 photos

Where each walk sits in the schedule

  1. 01rough-in

    Asphalt paving rough-in inspection checklist

    After the base is placed and graded, before any asphalt goes down. Once the mat is on, a soft spot or a flat area in the base can only be fixed by tearing it back out.

    Run by: The GC's superintendent with the paving contractor and, where required, the testing agency, walking the prepared subgrade and base before the paver arrives.

  2. 02final

    Asphalt paving final inspection checklist

    After paving and rolling are complete and the mat has cooled, before striping and before the lot or drive is opened to traffic.

    Run by: The GC's superintendent with the paving foreman and the testing agency where cores or density are specified.

  3. 03punch

    Asphalt paving punch checklist

    During closeout, after the surface has seen weather and traffic that reveal raveling, standing water and joint openings.

    Run by: The GC's superintendent with the paving contractor on a callback, often after the first heavy rains.

What most often sends asphalt paving work back

  • Base graded to line but never proof-rolled, so a soft area under the surface pumps and the mat cracks over it within a year.
  • Cross-slope set to the plan on paper but built flat in a stretch, leaving water to sheet the wrong way once the surface is smooth.
  • Compaction taken at the easy centerline and never at the edges and confined corners where the roller couldn't reach.
  • Longitudinal joint between passes left high and unsealed, so it ravels open and lets water into the base along the seam.
  • Mat that looks finished but holds birdbaths, only revealed when it rains and the low spots don't drain.
  • Thickness assumed from the tonnage delivered rather than checked, coming up short in the stretches that got paved last.
  • Birdbaths noted at final but never corrected, so they collect water and grit and start potholing at the low spot.
  • Raveling at a cold joint patched at the surface while the open joint underneath keeps taking on water.

Common questions

4 answers

Which asphalt paving inspections do these checklists cover?
Asphalt paving rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After the base is placed and graded, before any asphalt goes down. Once the mat is on, a soft spot or a flat area in the base can only be fixed by tearing it back out. Asphalt paving final inspection checklist (final): After paving and rolling are complete and the mat has cooled, before striping and before the lot or drive is opened to traffic. Asphalt paving punch checklist (punch): During closeout, after the surface has seen weather and traffic that reveal raveling, standing water and joint openings.
Who runs an asphalt paving inspection?
The GC's superintendent with the paving contractor and, where required, the testing agency, walking the prepared subgrade and base before the paver arrives. The GC's superintendent with the paving foreman and the testing agency where cores or density are specified. The GC's superintendent with the paving contractor on a callback, often after the first heavy rains.
What most often sends asphalt paving work back?
Base graded to line but never proof-rolled, so a soft area under the surface pumps and the mat cracks over it within a year. Cross-slope set to the plan on paper but built flat in a stretch, leaving water to sheet the wrong way once the surface is smooth. Compaction taken at the easy centerline and never at the edges and confined corners where the roller couldn't reach. Longitudinal joint between passes left high and unsealed, so it ravels open and lets water into the base along the seam.
Can I run these checklists in RTI?
Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 3 lists (35 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Run these lists with the Photo Gate.

Tag one area, scan it, and the submit stays locked until the photos exist.

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