HAAG Roof Inspector flashcards
HAAG Roof Inspector · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Roof slope ratio
- Slope is rise over run expressed as X:12, where X is the vertical rise in inches per 12 inches of horizontal run. A 6:12 roof rises 6 inches per foot.
- Low-slope threshold
- Roofs below 3:12 are generally treated as low-slope and require membrane systems; 3:12 and above is steep-slope. Manufacturer instructions govern specific products.
- Ice barrier extent
- Ice barrier membrane runs along the eave and extends inward at least 24 inches past the interior line of the exterior wall, protecting against ice dam backup.
- Attic ventilation balance
- Total net free vent area is split roughly evenly between intake at the soffit and exhaust at the ridge or static vents. Net free area is the vent's rated value.
- High nail defect
- A fastener placed above the shingle's nail line fails to hold the shingle course. High nails are an installation defect and a common cause of wind blow-off.
- Step flashing
- L-shaped metal pieces woven into each shingle course where a roof meets a sidewall. Step flashing directs water onto the roof surface and prevents wall penetration.
- Kick-out flashing
- A diverter at the bottom of a roof-to-wall intersection that throws water away from the wall and into the gutter, preventing siding and wall staining.
- Closed-cut valley
- One roof plane's shingles cross the valley centerline and are cut parallel to it; the other plane's shingles run beneath. Not allowed below manufacturer minimum slopes.
- Decking thickness
- Common residential roof decking is 5/8-inch plywood or OSB. Panels are spaced about 1/8 inch apart to allow expansion. Soft or delaminated decking is replaced.
- Thermoplastic vs thermoset
- TPO and PVC are thermoplastics welded with hot air. EPDM is a thermoset joined with adhesive or tape. Weldability determines the seaming method.
- TPO seam testing
- Hot-air welded seams are checked with a probe or seam tester along the weld. Visual inspection alone does not confirm seam integrity.
- Modified bitumen plies
- Modified bitumen roofs use a base ply plus a cap sheet, applied by torch, hot mop, or self-adhered methods. Torch work requires a fire watch.
- Built-up roofing plies
- BUR alternates layers of felt and bitumen, topped with gravel, a cap sheet, or coating. Ply count and surfacing determine durability and warranty class.
- Ponding water limit
- Standing water that persists more than 48 hours after rain is considered ponding and indicates a drainage defect requiring correction.
- Secondary drainage
- Most commercial roofs require primary drains plus emergency secondary drainage such as scuppers or overflow drains to handle blocked primary drains.
- Ballasted roof system
- Membrane held down by aggregate or pavers instead of adhesive or fasteners. Perimeter zones require additional ballast to resist wind uplift.
- Curb height rule
- HVAC and other rooftop curbs commonly require a minimum height above the finished roof surface, often 8 inches, and flashing height is measured from that surface.
- Recover vs tear-off
- A recover installs new membrane over the existing roof. Most codes limit to one recover and require tear-off when the roof is wet, blistered, or already double-layered.
- Roof zone uplift order
- Wind uplift is highest at corners, next at edges, and lowest in the field. Damage patterns typically follow these zones on a roof.
- Dynamic pressure formula
- Dynamic pressure q equals 0.00256 times wind speed squared, in psf at standard conditions. Doubling wind speed quadruples the pressure on the roof.
- Uplift as suction
- Wind flowing over a roof creates negative pressure that pulls covering upward. Torn, flipped, or creased shingles indicate uplift rather than impact.
- Shiner nail
- A fastener that misses the framing or decking and does not hold. Shiner nails are an installation defect and a frequent cause of shingle blow-off.
- Wind-borne debris damage
- Impact from flying debris causes dents, punctures, and granule loss. Document with close-up photos, measurements, and location notes on the roof.
- Membrane billowing
- Wind lifting a single-ply membrane creates billowing and seam peel. Check seam edges for peeling and perimeter edge metal for lifting or fastener withdrawal.
- Wind direction evidence
- Damage orientation, such as shingles creased leeward or edge metal bent with flow, helps establish wind direction and supports the damage narrative.
- Edge metal deformation
- Lifted, bent, or fastener-withdrawn perimeter edge metal indicates wind loading at the roof edge, which is a high-uplift zone.
- Granule loss indicator
- Displaced granules on asphalt shingles can result from wind, hail, or age. Distinguish wind scouring patterns from impact craters before attributing cause.
- Wind speed estimation limits
- Visual damage estimates are approximate. Combine damage indicators with weather station data and a damage scale rather than relying on visual estimates alone.
- Corner zone uplift
- Roof corners experience the highest uplift coefficients under wind loading. Corner damage is expected and should be documented separately from field damage.
- Seam peel on single-ply
- Peeling at membrane seams under wind indicates adhesive or weld failure. Probe the seam to confirm whether the failure is cohesive or adhesive.
- Fastener withdrawal
- Fasteners pulled from the deck or substrate indicate uplift loads exceeding capacity. Note spacing and pattern to compare against design requirements.
- Windward vs leeward
- Windward is the side facing the wind; leeward is the sheltered side. Damage patterns differ, with uplift and scouring typically on windward edges and corners.