Roofing Punch List Checklist: Final Inspection Before Closeout
A roofing punch list with 45 inspection points for shingle and low-slope roofs — underlayment, flashing, and ventilation. Printable checklist and FAQs.
Written by Luke Johns · August 21, 2026 · 13 min read
A roof defect that is missed at closeout does not show up until the first big rain — by which point the drywall is damaged, the flooring is ruined, and the warranty claim is contentious. A roofing punch list run at final inspection, before closeout, is what catches the lifted shingle, the unsealed flashing, and the missing kick-out before water finds them. This checklist covers 45 inspection points for asphalt shingle and low-slope residential roofs, from the deck up through ventilation and cleanup.
Walk the roof (safely, with fall protection) and the attic. Many roofing defects — blocked vents, disconnected ducts, missing insulation baffles — are only visible from below. Document every item with a photo and a location on the roof plan.
Deck & Underlayment
Roof deck solid, dry, and free of rot or delamination
Deck fasteners flush — no protruding nail heads
H-clips / panel edge clips installed between rafters
Drip edge installed at all eaves and rakes
Underlayment (synthetic or felt) installed per code with correct lap
Ice and water shield installed at eaves, valleys, and penetrations per code
Underlayment fully attached — no loose or torn sections
Valley underlayment continuous and lapped correctly
Flashing & Waterproofing
Step flashing installed at every wall intersection, each piece lapped
Counter-flashing installed over step flashing where required
Valley flashing (W-valley or woven) installed per spec and sealed
Chimney flashing — base, step, and counter — continuous and sealed
Plumbing vent boot flashing sealed and nailed correctly
Roof-to-wall flashing continuous and integrated with house wrap
Kick-out flashing installed at roof-to-wall terminations
Skylight curb flashing integrated with shingles and sealed
All flashing joints sealed with approved sealant
Head wall and side wall flashing correct
Shingle Installation
Shingles match approved color and style
Starter strip installed at all eaves with correct overhang (1/4"–3/4")
Shingle courses straight and aligned
Vertical joints staggered — no stacked joints
Nail pattern correct — 4 nails per shingle (6 in high-wind areas)
Nails placed in the designated nailing zone, not too high or low
No exposed nail heads on field shingles
Shingle exposure (reveal) correct per shingle type
Ridge cap installed continuous and sealed
Hip and ridge cap fasteners sealed with sealant or self-sealing cap
No shingles damaged, lifted, or unsealed at edges
Chimney cricket installed where roof meets wide chimney
Penetrations & Ventilation
All plumbing vents flashed and sealed
Bath and kitchen exhaust vents ducted through roof with proper flashing
Exhaust vents not terminating in attic
Roof vents (ridge, box, or power) installed per ventilation calculation
Intake ventilation (soffit) unblocked and continuous
Attic insulation baffles installed at eaves to maintain intake airflow
Balance of intake and exhaust ventilation per code
Satellite / solar / PV penetrations flashed and sealed
Gutters, Drainage & Edge
Gutters pitched correctly to downspouts
Gutter apron / drip edge integrated under shingles and over gutter back
Downspouts secured and discharging away from foundation
Gutter seams sealed — no leaks at corners
Fascia and soffit installed and sealed
Roof-to-gutter transition clean — no shingle overhang into gutter
Closeout & Documentation
Roof and gutters swept — no shingle granules, nails, or debris
Magnet sweep of ground for dropped nails
All roof debris and packaging removed from site
Manufacturer warranty registration submitted
When should the roofing punch list be run?
Run it at final inspection, after all shingles, flashing, vents, and gutters are complete and before closeout. Walk the roof (with fall protection) and the attic — many ventilation and duct defects are only visible from below.
What is the correct nail pattern for asphalt shingles?
Standard is 4 nails per shingle placed in the designated nailing zone. In high-wind areas or for steep-slope roofs, 6 nails per shingle is required. Nails placed too high or too low are a defect and void the wind warranty.
Is ice and water shield required?
In cold-climate jurisdictions, code requires ice and water shield at eaves (typically 24" inside the warm wall), in valleys, and around penetrations. Even where not code-required, it is best practice at valleys and penetrations. Confirm the local requirement and the manufacturer spec.
How do I check ventilation balance?
Total net free venting area should meet code (typically 1/300 of attic floor area with a vapor barrier, 1/150 without). Intake and exhaust should be roughly balanced, with slightly more intake than exhaust. Blocked soffit vents and missing baffles are the most common ventilation defects.
Who is responsible for a roof leak found after closeout?
It depends on the source. Flashing, shingle, and penetration defects are the roofer. A leak at a plumbing vent boot is shared between plumber and roofer. A leak from an exhaust duct terminating in the attic is the HVAC or installer. A photo-backed punch list record at closeout is what settles it.
Luke Johns spent a decade on job sites running punch lists, coordinating subcontractors, and closing out projects before building QuickPunch. Punch lists, subcontractor coordination, quality control, and project closeout across residential remodeling, production home building, and commercial multifamily construction. More about Luke Johns →
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