Tile Substrate Acceptance Inspection

Inspection template for verifying tile substrate readiness, including flatness, moisture conditions, crack-isolation membrane installation, and primer application before tile work begins.

Project and Substrate Identification

• Project area and substrate type identified
  Record the room/area, substrate material, and scope of tile work.
• Reference documents available on site
  Verify applicable drawings, specifications, product data, and installation instructions are available for review.
• Substrate installation complete and ready for inspection
  Confirm the substrate has been installed and is ready for acceptance review before tile work begins.
• Inspection conditions suitable for evaluation
  Verify lighting, access, and work area conditions allow a reliable inspection of the substrate surface.

Surface Flatness and Condition

• Surface flatness within project tolerance
  Measure substrate flatness against project requirements and record the maximum deviation.
• Surface free of dust, debris, laitance, and contaminants
  Confirm the substrate is clean and suitable for bonding tile materials.
• Cracks, spalls, and surface defects identified and addressed
  Verify visible cracks, spalls, voids, or other defects have been evaluated and corrected per specification.
• Substrate soundness confirmed by tapping or equivalent method
  Check for hollow-sounding areas, delamination, or loose sections that could affect tile performance.
• Transitions, joints, and edges prepared for tile installation
  Verify edges, terminations, and transitions are properly formed and ready for tile layout and movement accommodation.

Moisture and Environmental Readiness

• Moisture test results within acceptable limits
  Record the measured moisture condition using the specified test method and compare to project acceptance criteria.
• Surface visibly dry and free of standing water
  Confirm there is no visible moisture, condensation, or standing water on the substrate.
• Ambient temperature and humidity acceptable for installation
  Verify environmental conditions are within the limits required by the tile and setting material manufacturers.
• Moisture mitigation or curing period completed
  Confirm any required curing time, drying period, or moisture mitigation process has been completed before tile work begins.

Crack-Isolation Membrane Installation

• Crack-isolation membrane installed where specified
  Verify membrane placement matches the project documents and covers all required areas.
• Membrane coverage continuous and properly overlapped
  Check for continuous coverage, correct seams, and no gaps, fishmouths, or unbonded areas.
• Membrane fully bonded and free of wrinkles or blisters
  Confirm the membrane is securely adhered and free from defects that could compromise tile performance.
• Membrane installation matches manufacturer instructions
  Verify primer, adhesive, cure time, thickness, and installation method comply with the membrane manufacturer requirements.

Primer and Final Acceptance

• Primer applied where required
  Confirm primer has been applied to all specified surfaces before tile installation.
• Primer coverage uniform and within manufacturer requirements
  Check for complete, even coverage with no missed areas, puddling, or contamination.
• All deficiencies documented with corrective actions
  List any non-conformances, required repairs, responsible party, and target completion date.
• Substrate accepted for tile installation
  Final determination that the substrate is ready for tile work to begin.