Roof Inspection Checklist (Commercial + Residential)
For: Roofing inspectors, property managers, GCs, insurance adjusters
Roofs fail in patterns. Flashings, penetrations, drains, and parapets are where 90% of leaks originate — almost never the field membrane itself. This checklist covers those failure points plus the routine items that drive maintenance scheduling. Use it for new install QA, annual inspections, and post-storm damage assessments.
References: NRCA Roofing Manual · IBC Ch. 15 · ASTM D3019 (single-ply membranes)
Want to do this on your phone — offline, with photos per item, exported as a PDF in 90 seconds?
Use OnsiteAudit — runs offline, captures photo evidence per item, exports a sharable PDF.
Drainage
Roof slopes ≥1/4 in per ft minimum (no ponding water)
IBC 1502.2
Roof drains free of debris, dome strainers in place
Scuppers and overflow drains clear, sized per code
Gutters secured, no sags, downspouts terminate clear of foundation
No standing water 48 hr after rain (ponding = failure)
Field Membrane
Membrane intact, no punctures, blisters, or wrinkles >1 in
Lap seams welded/glued continuously, no fish-mouths
No tears at corners, transitions, or curb intersections
Surface granules intact (asphalt) or no chalking (single-ply)
Flashings
Wall flashings extend min 8 in up wall, fully adhered/mechanically fastened
Counter-flashing reglet sealed, no gaps
Coping caps secure, joints sealed, slope to drain side
Pipe boots intact, no UV cracking, sealed at top
HVAC curb flashings plumb, sealed at all 4 corners
Penetrations & Equipment
Every penetration has flashing + sealant — photo each one
Equipment supports protect membrane (no metal-to-membrane contact)
Conduit and pipe runs supported, not lying on membrane
Walking pads at high-traffic equipment areas
Parapets & Edges
Parapet caps level, joints staggered + sealed
Edge metal hemmed or capped, no sharp edges
Run this on your phone
Run this checklist on every site, capture defect photos inline, generate a sharable report at the truck. All offline.