TecTopics: Inspection Tips

Here are some tips you can use, both during your projects and prior to inspection, to help ensure your roof passes inspection the first time around.

Prior to inspection, all work must be completed, including roofing, metal, curbs, and details. Applicators are encouraged to perform their own inspection before the Field Service Representative (FSR) arrives. Carlisle has inspection checklists for EPDM, TPO, and PVC roof systems available for download on the Carlisle website. These one-page, foldable checklists are designed to help applicators better understand Carlisle’s requirements for the final roof inspection. Each checklist includes system-specific details, enabling applicators to quality-check their own work, as well as installation requirements and recommendations from Carlisle.

EPDM Rooftop Guide/Inspection Checklist  
TPO Rooftop Guide/Inspection Checklist  
PVC Rooftop Guide/Inspection Checklist  
FleeceBACK Rooftop Guide/Inspection Checklist  

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Additional Tips

General:
It is the applicator’s responsibility to grant the inspector access to the rooftop. If the inspector cannot inspect the roof, no warranty can be issued.
Always refer to Carlisle’s field guide or website for field-fabricated details, coverage rates, bead spacing, etc.

Insulation:
Make sure there are no gaps greater than ¼" between boards.
If insulation becomes saturated during installation, it must be replaced.
Follow the fastening patterns recommended by the insulation manufacturer.

Membrane:
Check for angle change securement; slopes exceeding 2":12" require securement.
Membrane attachment must be installed at all perimeters of each roof level as well as curbs, skylights, tie-ins, expansion joints, pipes with diameters exceeding 18", and all inside deck angle changes greater than 2":12".
On mechanically fastened systems, all penetrations require securement, regardless of size.

Field Seams:
EPDM seam widths depend on the type of membrane used and the length of warranty required.
There must be no wrinkles or fish-mouths in the seam areas.
Make sure all TPO and PVC seams are probed prior to inspection to ensure that there are no false or cold welds.

Flashing:
Ensure that all penetrations, curbs, scuppers, and drains are flashed in accordance with Carlisle details. Details can be found in the appropriate Carlisle field guide or on the Carlisle website.
Check any required areas for appropriate Water Cut-Off Mastic coverage. Remember to apply the appropriate termination material and securement to provide constant compression for the Water Cut-Off Mastic.

Penetration Pockets:
On adhered and ballasted systems, penetration pockets greater than 12" on any side require membrane attachment.
On mechanically fastened systems, all penetration pockets, regardless of size, require membrane attachment.
Make sure penetration pockets are completely filled to a minimum depth of 2" with pourable sealer.

Drains:
All bolts/clamps must be tightened in place.
Water Cut-Off Mastic must be used.
Compression drain ring components must be intact.

Pipe Flashing:
On adhered and ballasted systems, membrane attachment is required around all pipes greater than 18" in diameter.
On mechanically fastened systems, all pipes, regardless of size, require membrane attachment.
On field-fabricated pipe flashings, ensure that there is no seam separation (bridging) at angle changes.
In cool temperatures, warm the flashing material with a heat gun.

Corners:
Check all outside corners for bridging 24 hours after installation. Major causes of bridging include uncured flashing applied with wet adhesive/primer at angle changes and failure to use a heat gun when required.

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During your inspection, the FSR will follow the process outlined below.

STEP 1
The FSR will inspect the perimeter. They will update the roof plan to show the location of all curbs, penetrations, drains, etc. They will focus on securement and terminations while marking any deficiencies on the roof plan if they are found.
STEP 2
The FSR will inspect all seams on the roof level with a focus on plate placement and proper seaming. This process is largely the same for EPDM, TPO, and PVC roofs. However, TPO and PVC will require additional seam probing.
STEP 3
The FSR will inspect all curbs, penetrations, and drains. They will focus on one detail at a time to confirm proper securement, termination, and flashing minimums.
STEP 4
The FSR will walk across the roof and check the system. They will update areas in need of repair and perform a general check of the overall system.