Roof / Wall Sheathing Inspection Guide
Your inspector needs to see both the wall and roof sheathing, including how the panels are installed and fastened. Follow these steps before anything is covered.
Show Us the Sheathing and the Fastening Patterns.
Start with wide views so we know exactly where we're looking. Then get close enough for the inspector to see the fasteners, spacing and special conditions.
Pay special attention to shear walls, roof edges, special zones and any areas with different details on the approved plans.
Whenever fastener spacing matters, include clear photos with a measuring tape next to the fasteners. Make sure the tape and fasteners are both visible so your inspector can verify the spacing.
Show us all the wall and roof sheathing.
Start with a slow walkthrough showing the complete sheathing installation.
Make sure we can see:
- All sheathed exterior walls
- All roof planes
- Building corners
- Ridges and valleys
- Windows, doors and roof openings
- Enough context to identify each area
Show us the wall panel layout.
Show how the sheathing panels are laid out across the walls.
Make sure we can see:
- Panel edges and joints
- Top and bottom edges
- Wall corners and intersections
- Windows and door openings
- Changes in panel layout
Show us the wall fastening pattern and shear walls.
Get close enough for the inspector to clearly see the nails or other approved fasteners.
Most structural plans identify specific shear walls. Make sure you know which walls are shear walls and show those walls clearly.
For fastener spacing, place a measuring tape next to the fasteners and take clear photos.
Make sure we can see:
- Fasteners along panel edges
- Fasteners in the field of the panels
- Measured fastener spacing
- Several representative locations
- Shear-wall fastening patterns
- Enough surrounding wall to identify each location
Not sure which walls are shear walls? Check the approved structural plans before continuing.
Show us the roof panel layout.
Show how the sheathing panels are laid out across the roof.
Make sure we can see:
- Panel edges and joints
- Ridges and valleys
- Roof edges
- Openings and penetrations
- Changes in roof layout
Show us the roof fastening pattern.
Get close enough for the inspector to see the nails or other approved fasteners and show several roof areas.
Use a measuring tape in the photos so the inspector can verify the fastener spacing.
Make sure we can see:
- Fasteners along panel edges
- Fasteners in the field of the panel
- Measured fastener spacing
- Roof edges, ridges and valleys
- Representative areas from different roof planes
If different roof areas have different fastening requirements, show each condition separately.
Show us openings, corners and special details.
Show the areas where the sheathing installation changes or where special structural details may apply.
Make sure we can see:
- Windows and doors
- Roof penetrations and openings
- Wall corners and intersections
- Ridges and valleys
- Straps, ties or hold-down locations that remain visible
- Special details shown on the approved plans
If spacing is part of a special detail, include a clear photo with a measuring tape visible.
Show us anything different or unusual.
If any wall, roof area, panel or fastening condition looks different from the rest, make sure your inspector can see it clearly.
- Different fastening patterns
- Repairs or replacement panels
- Field modifications
- Damaged sheathing
- Anything else you think your inspector should see
Before You Submit
Take 30 seconds and make sure your inspector can clearly identify the wall and roof areas and verify the fastening patterns.
- Can we see all wall and roof sheathing?
- Can we identify each area shown in the close-up photos?
- Can we clearly see the nails or other approved fasteners?
- Did you show fastening patterns in several locations?
- Did you include measuring-tape photos anywhere spacing needs to be verified?
- Did you clearly show the shear walls?
- Did you show roof edges, ridges, valleys and openings?
- Did you show any special or different fastening conditions?
- Is everything still exposed and easy to see?
That's It.
Submit your photos, videos and measurement photos through Permit Rockstar. Your inspector will compare the wall and roof sheathing installations and fastening patterns with the approved plans.
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