Secondary Water Resistance After a Re-Roof
A 2006 townhome had its roof replaced in 2018. At the valley and lower eave, the inspector can see a self-adhering modified bitumen membrane under the new shingles. The membrane stops at the valley and does not appear to cover the field of the roof. The contractor invoice says SWR installed but does not name the product or state full-deck coverage. The attic shows no secondary barrier because the underlayment is under the shingles. The homeowner has a permit final but no product approval or photos from the roof replacement. The insurer form asks whether secondary water resistance is present. The inspector must decide whether to credit SWR and how to document the limitation.
1. Can SWR be credited? Explain.
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No, not on this evidence. Secondary water resistance requires an approved self-adhering membrane or system over the roof deck, under the primary covering, across the area required by the form and product approval. A membrane visible only at a valley and lower eave is a partial detail, not proof of full-deck coverage. The invoice is ambiguous because it does not name the product or state coverage. A permit final does not prove the product or extent of installation. Unless full coverage can be verified, the inspector should mark SWR as not verified or not present and explain why.
2. What evidence would support an SWR credit?
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Obtain the product approval or NOA, a contract or invoice specifying the product and full-deck installation, installation photos, or a roofer affidavit that identifies the product and states the coverage. During inspection, look for visible membrane at multiple locations, but do not damage the roof to prove field coverage. If the membrane is visible only at penetrations or valleys, document that limited condition. The evidence must connect the named product to the actual roof area, not merely show that some peel-and-stick material was used.
3. How should the inspector document this condition?
Read the worked answer
Photograph the visible membrane at the valley and eave with a tape measure, and take a wider photo showing the roof area it does not cover. Photograph the invoice and permit final. The narrative should distinguish observed partial membrane from claimed full SWR. If the form requires a yes or no, mark no or not verified rather than guessing, and state what would be needed to upgrade. Include the address, date, and inspector identification in the photo record.