Field Notes
Roof hatch curb flashing records before warranty leak walk
A useful warranty leak-walk packet ties the hatch ID, roof area, curb, base flashing, counterflashing, gasket, latch, access, ponding evidence, repair, retest, photos, limits, and reviewer decision together.
Direct answer
Before a warranty leak walk at a roof hatch curb, record the hatch ID, roof area, interior symptom or warranty item, approved hatch and roof details, manufacturer or consultant direction, curb type, curb height basis, rough opening or curb opening where relevant, curb flange, anchor or fastener condition, nailer or support condition where visible, base flashing, membrane termination, counterflashing or capflashing, gasket, latch, hinge side, hold-open arm, safety rail or ladder condition, upslope cricket or saddle, ponding or staining evidence, seams and patches near the curb, foot-traffic damage, repairs, test or follow-up method, photos before and after correction, remaining limits, responsible reviewer, and warranty-walk decision.
The record should prove what was observed around the hatch and which warranty item was released, held, or assigned to another reviewer. It should not become a roof hatch installation instruction, leak-source guarantee, code ruling, warranty approval, or permission to work around an unsafe hatch opening.
Use this as documentation guidance only. The roof-system manufacturer, hatch manufacturer, roof consultant, designer, AHJ, owner, warranty provider, water-test professional, and site safety plan control the actual hatch, curb, flashing, repair, access, test, and warranty-walk decision.
Warranty leak walks need a hatch boundary
A roof hatch leak complaint can come from the hatch cover, gasket, latch, curb flange, base flashing, counterflashing, membrane seam, nearby cricket, wall above, ladder opening, condensation, or foot traffic. A warranty walk needs a boundary before it can decide anything.
Name the hatch and the roof area first. Use the hatch tag, roof level, gridline, room below, interior stain, ladder or stair access, roof plan, warranty area, and walk item number. If a roof has multiple hatches, skylights, smoke vents, curbs, and equipment supports, do not let one hatch photo stand for the whole roof.
Then name the exclusions. A packet can close hatch H-2 curb flashing while holding the adjacent coating repair, wall crack, coping joint, roof drain, or ladder safety correction. That is stronger than writing hatch okay with no boundary.
Identify the hatch and access condition
The warranty walk should identify the actual hatch assembly. Record hatch type, material where visible, single or double cover, curb-mounted or self-flashing condition, curb opening, hinge side, latch, gasket, hold-open arm, exterior handle or hardware, safety rail, ladder-up post, ladder, stair, or alternating tread access.
Access details matter because reviewers often inspect the roof while the hatch is open. Photograph the hatch closed, open, and latched where safe and permitted. Record whether the cover closes fully, whether the gasket seats visibly, whether the latch aligns, and whether the hold-open arm works under the responsible reviewer or manufacturer procedure.
Do not turn an access observation into a safety certification. If the ladder, hatch opening, railing, warning line, or fall-protection setup is not ready for the walk, hold the inspection and assign the access issue to the proper reviewer.
Photograph base flashing before the walk
Hatch curbs are detail-heavy. The photo set should show the roof-to-curb transition before the warranty walk tries to reconstruct it from a final overview photo. Capture wide location photos, all four sides of the curb, corners, upslope side, downslope side, hatch hinge side, latch side, nearby seams, patches, walkway pads, and traffic paths.
Record base flashing height as observed or as required by the project form without calling it compliant unless the responsible reviewer makes that decision. Photograph membrane adhesion, wrinkles, fishmouths, bridging, open laps, punctures, cuts, termination bar, fasteners, water block or mastic where required, and sheet-metal overlap at the curb.
If the hatch manufacturer uses a curb counterflashing, capflashing, or mechanical tab feature to help secure roofing material, photograph the condition before calling the walk complete. A clean roof field does not prove the hidden top edge of the flashing.
Separate flashing, counterflashing, and gasket issues
Do not write hatch leak as one condition until the record separates the possible water paths. The curb flashing, counterflashing or capflashing, hatch cover, gasket, latch, hinge, and adjacent roof membrane can each fail differently and can each be outside a different warranty scope.
For flashing, record the membrane tie-in, vertical leg, corners, laps, sealant, patches, fasteners, and any sheet-metal cover. For counterflashing or capflashing, record whether the roof material runs under the metal, whether laps and corners are visible, whether exposed fasteners or open ends exist, and whether the manufacturer or consultant accepted the condition.
For the hatch itself, record gasket condition, compression line where visible, latch engagement, cover alignment, hinge side, corrosion, damaged hardware, missing fasteners, and whether the cover was left open or unsecured before the complaint. Do not assign the leak to the hatch product, roofing work, or maintenance without the responsible reviewer.
Keep drainage and traffic evidence
Roof hatches sit where people walk, carry tools, and step onto the roof. The packet should show walkway pads, scuffed membrane, crushed insulation signs, dropped tools, open seams, sealant damage, traffic patterns, and whether the traffic route crosses flashing or seams.
Drainage matters too. Photograph the upslope cricket or saddle if present, ponding stain, dirt ring, algae line, low area at the curb, blocked path, roof slope direction, nearby drain, and any temporary material staged around the hatch that could trap water.
If the hatch curb is on a metal roof, record the upslope and downslope relationship without issuing a metal-roof design approval. Curbs, roof panels, sealants, cap strips, seams, clips, and fasteners should be checked against the approved curb and roof documents by the qualified reviewer.
Keep repair and retest evidence
Warranty walk closeout should preserve the sequence. Record the complaint or walk item, first observation, failed condition, repair basis, repair, cure or wait period where required, retest or follow-up method, result, and remaining holds.
If a water test is performed, record the test boundary, water source, reviewer, interior watch location, result, and limits. Do not invent a water-test procedure in the field note. If no test is performed, state whether the closeout basis is visual repair acceptance, manufacturer direction, consultant signoff, owner direction, scheduled monitoring, or later rain observation.
Keep failed photos in the packet. A repaired corner, reset hatch cover, replaced gasket, patched membrane, or resealed counterflashing is more useful when the reviewer can see what was wrong before the repair.
Minimum hatch curb warranty-walk packet
Use the manufacturer warranty form, roof consultant report, hatch manufacturer instruction, owner punchlist system, and project closeout form first. Add this field packet where the required form does not connect hatch-curb evidence to the warranty walk clearly enough.
| Record item | Field detail | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty boundary | Warranty item, roof area, hatch ID, interior symptom, walk date, responsible reviewer | Prevents one hatch condition from closing unrelated roof leaks |
| Approved basis | Roof detail, hatch submittal, curb detail, manufacturer instruction, consultant direction | Shows what the observed condition was checked against |
| Access condition | Ladder, stair, safety rail, hatch opening, cover position, hold-open arm, warning line | Keeps the walk from proceeding through unsafe or unready access |
| Hatch assembly | Type, curb, cover, hinge side, latch, gasket, hardware, corrosion, damage | Separates hatch-product issues from roofing-flashing issues |
| Curb flashing | Base flashing, vertical leg, corners, laps, termination, fasteners, patches, sealant | Captures the most common visible water-entry evidence |
| Counterflashing | Capflashing, counterflashing, tabs, sheet-metal cover, exposed ends, laps, fasteners | Shows whether the top edge of roofing material is protected or still disputed |
| Drainage | Upslope cricket, saddle, ponding stain, dirt ring, roof slope, nearby drain, blocked path | Preserves evidence before cleaning or repair changes the roof |
| Traffic | Walkway pads, scuffs, crushed areas, tool damage, seams crossed by access route | Separates workmanship, maintenance, and access damage questions |
| Repair and retest | Failed condition, repair photo, cure or wait period, test boundary, result, follow-up | Keeps the correction chain reviewable |
| Walk decision | Released, held, partial release, assigned to hatch vendor, assigned to roof repair, monitoring | Keeps warranty status tied to the actual scope reviewed |
Before warranty leak walk checklist
Run this check before closing a warranty leak-walk item tied to a roof hatch curb.
- Confirm the warranty item, roof area, hatch ID, interior symptom, and walk boundary.
- Attach or reference the approved roof detail, hatch submittal, curb detail, manufacturer instruction, or consultant direction.
- Confirm access is safe and ready before opening, walking around, or photographing the hatch.
- Photograph the hatch closed, open, and latched where safe and permitted.
- Record hatch type, curb, cover, hinge side, latch, gasket, hold-open arm, hardware, and visible damage.
- Photograph base flashing on all four sides, including corners, upslope side, downslope side, hinge side, and latch side.
- Record membrane tie-in, termination, fasteners, sealant, counterflashing, capflashing, and patch conditions.
- Photograph ponding stains, dirt rings, low areas, crickets, saddles, roof slope direction, and nearby drains.
- Photograph walkway pads, traffic damage, scuffed membrane, tool damage, and access paths crossing seams or flashings.
- Keep failed photos, repair photos, final photos, and retest or follow-up evidence together.
- State whether the warranty item is released, partially released, held, assigned to hatch vendor, assigned to roofing repair, or assigned to monitoring.
- List remaining exclusions for wall, coping, counterflashing, drain, interior, access, or safety review.
Weak and strong notes
Weak note: roof hatch checked, no leak, warranty walk passed.
That note does not show the hatch ID, roof area, access condition, curb flashing, counterflashing, gasket, ponding evidence, repair, test basis, photos, exclusions, or warranty-walk authority.
Stronger note: Warranty walk item W-18 was checked at Roof Area B hatch H-2 above the Level 4 stair. Boundary is the H-2 curb flashing, hatch cover, gasket, and adjacent 6 ft roof area. Interior stain at stair ceiling was photographed and marked on the roof plan. Hatch was opened under the site access plan; ladder, hatch safety rail, hold-open arm, and latch were photographed. Before-repair photos show open membrane fishmouth at the northeast curb corner, scuffed walkway pad edge on the latch side, and dirt ring upslope of the curb cricket. Gasket seated visibly when the cover was latched; no missing latch hardware observed. Consultant directed membrane corner repair and walkway pad edge reset under the approved TPO detail. Repair, final hatch closed condition, and same-boundary water check were photographed. Wall joint above the stair and roof drain RD-2 are excluded and remain separate walk items. W-18 is released only for H-2 curb flashing repair and hatch operation observed during this walk.
The stronger note works because it gives the reviewer a boundary, visible failed condition, correction, access status, test basis, and exclusions. It does not pretend the whole roof or building enclosure was cleared.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is photographing only the hatch cover. A cover photo rarely proves the curb flashing, membrane termination, counterflashing, gasket seating, or ponding evidence.
The second mistake is treating a hatch-product issue and a roof-flashing issue as the same scope. A torn gasket, loose latch, failed membrane corner, and damaged counterflashing may have different responsible reviewers.
The third mistake is ignoring access damage. Hatch areas often receive concentrated foot traffic, tools, and material staging. If walkway pads, seams, or flashings are damaged by access, the packet should show that condition.
The fourth mistake is deleting the failed condition after a clean repair. Keep the fishmouth, open sealant, loose fastener, damaged gasket, ponding stain, or failed test in the record.
The fifth mistake is overclaiming the warranty walk. A hatch-curb release does not close a wall, coping, roof drain, condensation, interior repair, or unrelated roof-area question.
Questions that come up
Does a dry hatch area mean the warranty item can close? It can support closeout only if the responsible reviewer accepts that basis. The record should still show the boundary, observation, weather or test context, and limits.
Should the note state the curb height is compliant? Record the observed height or project-required field if needed, but do not state compliance unless the qualified reviewer or controlling record supports that conclusion.
Should the hatch be opened during the walk? Only under the site access and safety procedure, and only by the responsible party. If it was not opened, say that in the record.
What if the leak might be condensation? Keep the hatch-curb record bounded and assign condensation, ventilation, insulation, air leakage, or interior humidity questions to the proper reviewer.
What if the hatch manufacturer and roof manufacturer both need to review it? State which part of the condition belongs to each reviewer and do not close the item until the required approvals or holds are recorded.
Compliance and safety limits
This field note is not a roof hatch installation instruction, curb design, roof design, warranty approval, manufacturer inspection, code ruling, water-test procedure, leak-source guarantee, fall-protection plan, ladder inspection, structural approval, or instruction to modify hatch, curb, flashing, gasket, ladder, rail, or roof membrane. The project documents, approved details, roof-system manufacturer, hatch manufacturer, consultant, designer, AHJ, owner, warranty provider, and qualified reviewers control the work.
Do not use this checklist to bypass fall protection, hatch-opening protection, ladder and stair access controls, guardrails, safety rail requirements, warning lines, personal fall arrest systems, roof-edge controls, electrical hazards, weather restrictions, sharp-edge handling, hot work, sealant safety data, coating safety data, PPE, public protection, interior protection, or site-specific safety procedures. Do not open, climb through, lean into, or work around a roof hatch unless the site access and safety plan allow it.
Sources checked
- WBDG, UFC 3-110-03 RoofingUsed for roof hatch, curb height, warranty, roof access, penetration flashing, leak identification, repair, and fall-protection context.
- WBDG, UFGS 07 54 23 Thermoplastic Polyolefin RoofingUsed for TPO warranties, membrane flashings, prefabricated curbs, base flashing, termination bars, sheet metal over termination bars, temporary flashing, and repair context.
- WBDG, UFGS 07 60 00 Flashing and Sheet MetalUsed for base flashing, counterflashing, sheet-metal flashings at curbs and roof penetrations, fasteners, sealants, and finish repair context.
- Holcim Elevate, UltraPly TPO Roofing Systems Application GuideUsed for current manufacturer guidance on curb flashing, base tie-in flashing, membrane securement at angle changes, termination, sheet-metal warranty limits, traffic damage, and repair context.
- Nystrom, Personnel Roof Hatch Installation, Operation and MaintenanceUsed for roof hatch installation and maintenance context around curb flanges, roofing material under counterflashing, membrane support tabs, weather-tight joints, gaskets, latches, hold-open arms, and annual operation checks.
- LMCurbs, Universal Standing Seam Panel Roof Curb Installation InstructionsUsed for metal-roof curb context around layout, upslope and downslope curb relationship, sealant tape, caulk, fasteners, cap strips, and standing-seam curb boundaries.
- ASTM D7053/D7053M-17(2024)e1, Standard Guide for Determining and Evaluating Causes of Water Leakage of Low-Sloped RoofsUsed for leak investigation methodology, defined scope, professional judgment, adjacent construction, limitations, and reasonable expectations.
- ASTM D7186-25, Standard Practice for Quality Assurance Observation of Roof Construction and RepairUsed for roofing QA observation, documentation, monitoring, recording, reporting, and contract-document comparison themes.
- IIBEC, The Leak Stops Here: Understanding the Methodology of Leak Detection for Roofing and Waterproofing SystemsUsed for leak-detection method context, method limits, active leak evaluation, and the boundary between testing and visual observation.
- OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.501, Duty to Have Fall ProtectionUsed for roof-work, holes, wall openings, and low-slope roofing fall-protection safety boundaries.