What is a roof sheathing inspection during a reroof?
Short answer. A roof sheathing inspection is a check of the deck after the old roofing is torn off and before underlayment goes on, looking for rot, delamination, soft spots, gaps, loose nailing and proper thickness. The roofing crew should always do this, and some building departments require an in-progress inspection of the deck and its nailing, so ask your jurisdiction.
What is checked
- Rot and water damage around chimneys, valleys, pipes, skylights and eaves.
- Delamination and swelling in plywood or OSB.
- Soft or spongy spots found by walking the deck.
- Thickness and span. Panels thick enough for the rafter or truss spacing, with edge clips where needed.
- Fastening. Sheathing nailed to the framing in the right pattern, with loose panels re-nailed. Some wind standards call for extra deck nailing.
- Gaps. Spaced plank boards, or gaps too wide for shingles.
- Framing. Cracked rafters, separated trusses or sagging.
Who does it
- The roofing crew. Every reroof should include a deck check during tear-off, with bad sheets replaced at the contract's unit price.
- A building inspector. Some jurisdictions schedule a mid-roof or sheathing inspection; others inspect only at the end. Requirements vary by city and county.
- Programs like FORTIFIED. The IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard calls for specific deck attachment and sealed deck seams, documented for its evaluator.
What to ask for
Photos of the bare deck, of every sheet replaced and of any re-nailing, plus a count on the final invoice. If your jurisdiction requires an in-progress inspection, ask how scheduling works so the roof is not left open waiting. See OSB vs plywood roof decking and roofing permits in Georgia.