Inspect façade flashing installation above windows and doors

Inspect façade flashing installation above windows and doors to ensure water stays out of the building envelope. This inspection targets window head flashing, door head flashing, and through-wall or cavity tray details installed above openings. The scope covers geometry, slope, terminations, fastenings, sealants, and integration with the weather-resistive barrier (WRB) immediately above lintels or structural heads. Done properly, these elements direct wind-driven rain outward, preventing leaks, damp insulation, corrosion, mold growth, and freeze–thaw damage to masonry or cladding. Outcomes include durable, low-maintenance façades, cleaner elevations without staining, and performance aligned with approved project specifications and authority requirements. You will verify material compatibility (metals, tapes, and sealants), dimension tolerances (slope, upstands, laps, overhangs), and functional drainage (weep paths and end dams) while capturing photos, measurements, and batch data as evidence. Use this interactive checklist to tick items, log comments with photos, and export a signed record to PDF or Excel, complete with a QR link for authentication.

• Focus on the head conditions above windows and doors: confirm outward fall, upstand height, end dams, laps, and overhangs, then verify WRB integration and clear weep paths. Capture photos, readings, and batch data for traceable compliance.
• Reduce water ingress, staining, and hidden decay by validating geometry, compatible materials, and correct fastening and sealing. Practical acceptance cues—like ≥2% fall, 100 mm upstands, and 100 mm laps—deliver predictable, repeatable outcomes across trades and shifts.
• Interactive online checklist with tick, comment, and export features secured by QR code. Field teams can attach photos, record measurements, tag locations, and generate shareable PDF/Excel reports for supervisors, designers, and authorities within minutes.

Pre-Installation Conditions Above Openings

• 1. Confirm substrate at head is clean, dry, and plane within ±3 mm over 1 m using a straightedge; remove protrusions and dust. Record measurements and a close-up photo; obtain supervisor initials.
• 2. Verify lintel or head angle is installed level within ±3 mm over opening width and bears ≥150 mm each side; measure with tape and level; photo lintel ends and mark readings.
• 3. Check clearance above frame for flashing and sealant: provide ≥10 mm continuous space; measure at both jambs and midspan; photo with ruler visible.
• 4. Confirm weather window: no precipitation forecast during installation/curing and ambient 5–35 °C; capture weather app screenshot and note time on inspection log.

Materials and Components Verification

• 5. Verify flashing metal matches submittals (e.g., 0.7 mm aluminium or 0.55 mm stainless steel), factory finish intact, no kinks; record product codes, lot numbers, and photos.
• 6. Confirm primers, tapes, and sealants are compatible with metals and WRB; perform a field adhesion test per manufacturer (no cohesive failure); photo peel test and retain labels.
• 7. Check pre-formed end dams and drip edge: end dam height ≥25 mm; drip hem ≥3 mm; overhang 10–15 mm beyond face; measure with calipers and photo each feature.
• 8. Confirm fasteners are stainless steel (A2/A4) and compatible; length achieves ≥12 mm embedment; prepare layout plan; photo boxes and corrosion-resistance markings.

Installation Geometry and Slope

• 9. Measure outward fall using a digital level or inclinometer: achieve ≥2% (1:50) toward façade face across full width; record readings and a photo of the device display.
• 10. Verify upstand height behind cladding/WRB is ≥100 mm and supported; measure at three points; photo upstand continuity before covering.
• 11. Inspect laps at joints/corners: provide ≥100 mm overlap in water-flow direction with 50 mm butyl tape; roll firmly; no fishmouths or gaps; close-up photos at each joint.
• 12. Confirm drip edge forms a continuous break line; overhang 10–15 mm; no reverse slope or buckling; measure and photograph the full length and a macro of the hem.

Fixings and Sealing

• 13. Fasten flashing at ≤200 mm centres with edge distance ≥15 mm; avoid penetrating horizontal water-shedding surface where possible; photo fastener spacing with a scale.
• 14. Seal penetrations and terminations using compatible sealant; apply 6–8 mm tooled bead, continuous and smooth to shed water; photo before and after tooling.
• 15. Provide expansion gaps at abutments of 3–6 mm; install backer rod where joint depth permits; verify with feeler gauge and photo gap measurement and backer placement.
• 16. Install end dams tight to jambs; seal three sides continuously; perform gentle spray test for 3 minutes targeting head/jamb interface—no leaks permitted; record video and notes.

Integration With WRB and Drainage

• 17. Integrate shingle-fashion: WRB above laps over flashing upstand ≥75 mm; tape seams per manufacturer; photo sequence showing layer order before cladding.
• 18. Ensure drainage continuity: clear cavity ≥25 mm behind cladding; provide weeps/vents at ≤400 mm centres or per approved project specifications and authority requirements; count and photo.
• 19. Isolate dissimilar metals (e.g., aluminium to concrete/steel) with separation tape or membrane; verify full-length coverage; photo start, mid, and end points.
• 20. Clean surfaces; remove swarf and sealant smears; confirm outlets and weeps unobstructed; apply temporary protection if required; capture final overview photos and obtain installer/inspector signatures.

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