That’s the thing with green roofs—water will find every little flaw, and then some. I’ve had inspectors go overboard too, but honestly, after seeing what a “minor” dip can do after a storm, I get why they’re so picky. Last year, a client called me after a big wind-driven rain because their “perfect” install started leaking right at a cricket tie-in. Turns out, the slope was off by less than half an inch—just enough to pool water. I’ll take an extra day of nitpicking over ripping up a finished roof any time.
Yeah, I’ve seen the tiniest imperfections turn into big headaches once water gets involved. When I’m checking green roofs, I always run a hose test at the tie-ins and around any crickets—sometimes it’s the only way to spot those shallow spots. I get that folks get frustrated with all the double-checking, but honestly, it’s way easier to fix a dip before the soil goes down than after. Even a quarter inch off can make a mess over time.
That quarter inch can be a nightmare, especially after a big rain. I’ve seen spots where water pooled just enough to start seeping under the membrane—took months before anyone noticed the interior dampness. My routine’s pretty similar: hose test, then I’ll walk the roof barefoot when possible. You can actually feel dips your eyes miss. Fixing it before the soil’s down is a hundred times easier... trust me, digging through saturated growing medium to patch a leak is no one’s idea of fun.
Fixing it before the soil’s down is a hundred times easier... trust me, digging through saturated growing medium to patch a leak is no one’s idea of fun.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve been called out after storms where folks skipped the pre-soil check—by then, water’s already under the membrane and you’re tearing up plants just to find the problem. That quarter inch of standing water can turn into a full-blown headache fast. I always tell people, don’t rush past those little dips. They’ll cost you later.
I’ll never understand why folks rush the prep work just to get the soil down a day sooner. I’ve seen too many projects where someone thought a tiny puddle was “no big deal,” and six months later, you’re dealing with mold inside the ceiling or—worse—structural rot. It’s not just about leaks, either. That water can freeze and expand, or start pooling in weird spots, and suddenly your warranty’s out the window.
Curious if anyone here has had pushback from inspectors over minor imperfections before the soil goes in? Around here, city code is strict about drainage slopes, but I’ve had contractors try to argue that “it’ll settle out” once the weight’s on. In my experience, that’s wishful thinking. Have you found local rules actually help keep folks honest, or do they just add red tape?
