What is a roof dry-in inspection?
What dried in means
A roof is dried in once it can shed water without its final covering: the decking is fastened, and underlayment, leak barrier and drip edge are on. On new construction this lets interior work start before the shingles arrive. On a reroof, the dried-in stage often lasts only a few hours.
What gets checked
- Deck sheathing thickness, condition and nailing, plus repairs to any rotted sections.
- Underlayment type, laps and fastening, and whether low-slope areas have the extra layers code requires.
- Leak barrier in valleys, around penetrations, and at eaves where required.
- Drip edge placement: under the underlayment at eaves, over it at rakes.
- Flashing preparation at walls, chimneys and skylights.
Is it required in Georgia?
It depends on where you live. Roofing permit and inspection requirements vary by city and county in Georgia. Some jurisdictions call only for a final inspection on a reroof, some want in-progress checks, and some do not require a reroof permit at all. Dry-in inspections are routine on new construction in many places and especially common in hurricane-prone states. Call your building department or ask your roofer what the permit includes. Our page on roofing permits in Georgia has more.
If no inspector is coming
You can get similar assurance on your own. Ask your roofer for dated photos of the bare deck, any decking repairs, the underlayment and the leak barrier before shingles go on. Those photos also help with warranty and insurance records later. Our underlayment comparison explains what you should see in them.