Visual Weld Inspection Services

At Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd., we deliver professional Visual Weld Inspection Services tailored to ensure weld quality, structural integrity, and code compliance across a range of industrial applications. As a key component of non-destructive testing (NDT), our visual inspections play a critical role in identifying surface-level defects before they lead to operational failures or safety concerns. Our certified inspectors apply a disciplined and methodical approach to weld evaluation, helping clients reduce rework, prevent downtime, and maintain high performance standards. With decades of experience supporting sectors such as construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, and utilities, Kova Engineering is trusted to deliver clear, accurate, and actionable inspection results that support long-term asset reliability.

Expertise in Visual Weld Inspection Services

Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. provides Visual Weld Inspection Services backed by certified inspectors trained in accordance with CSA W59, AWS D1.1, and ASME B31.1/B31.3 codes. Our team conducts detailed examinations of welds at every critical stage—pre-weld, in-process, and post-weld—to ensure alignment with design specifications and industry standards. We are skilled in identifying visible defects such as cracks, undercut, porosity, incomplete fusion, overlap, and misalignment that may compromise the integrity of welded joints.

Our Visual Weld Inspection Services support a wide variety of welding applications, from pressure piping to structural steel fabrication. We also assist clients with procedure reviews, welder qualifications, and drawing verification to ensure a comprehensive quality control process.

Advantages of Visual Weld Inspection Services

Immediate Results: Visual Weld Inspection delivers real-time feedback during or immediately after welding, enabling prompt identification of surface defects and quick corrective actions to keep the project on track.
Cost-Effective: As the most accessible non-destructive testing method, visual inspection requires minimal equipment and offers a highly economical way to screen for weld quality before more advanced testing is considered.
Applicable Across All Stages: From pre-weld setup through post-weld evaluation, visual inspection supports every stage of fabrication, ensuring compliance with drawings, procedures, and code requirements throughout the process.
No Downtime or Disruption: Visual inspection is non-invasive and can be performed without interrupting production. It allows for seamless integration into ongoing operations without halting workflow or requiring special shutdowns.
Code Compliance Assurance: Certified inspectors verify welds according to industry standards such as CSA W59, AWS D1.1, or ASME B31.1/B31.3, helping ensure regulatory compliance and documentation for quality assurance.
Enhances Long-Term Reliability: By identifying surface flaws early—such as cracks, undercut, incomplete fusion, and porosity—visual inspection helps prevent future failures and supports the structural integrity of the finished product.

Material Identification

Material identification is a fundamental step in the visual weld inspection process. Before any welding or examination takes place, it is critical to confirm that all base metals, filler materials, and consumables align with the project specifications, applicable codes (CSA W59, AWS D1.1, ASME B31.1/B31.3), and client requirements. Certified inspectors from Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. verify that the correct materials are being used—not only to meet engineering standards but also to prevent potential incompatibility issues that could compromise the integrity of the weld or the entire structure.

This step involves reviewing material test reports (MTRs), traceability documentation, and ensuring proper markings are visible and legible on components. It also includes checking for surface conditions such as rust, mill scale, oil, or coatings that may interfere with the welding process or mask defects.

Examination of Workmanship and Weld Joint Preparation

The success of a welded joint begins with workmanship and joint preparation. Kova Engineering’s certified inspectors conduct thorough visual assessments to verify that joints are properly prepared and aligned in accordance with applicable welding codes, procedures, and project drawings. This ensures optimal weld quality and minimizes the risk of defects during or after welding.

Workmanship evaluation includes checking that the fit-up of components meets required tolerances, that bevel angles and root openings are consistent with welding procedures, and that there is no presence of contaminants like oil, paint, rust, or moisture. Joint preparation must support full fusion and penetration, particularly in critical structural or pressure-containing applications. Inspectors also evaluate tack welds for proper size and placement, ensuring they do not introduce stress concentrations or weld discontinuities.

Review of Drawings

Before any weld inspection begins, reviewing the construction and fabrication drawings is a critical first step. Kova Engineering’s certified inspectors examine all relevant drawings to understand design intent, weld joint specifications, applicable tolerances, and inspection criteria. These documents serve as the blueprint for quality control, defining what is acceptable and what falls outside the scope of the project’s standards.

The drawing review ensures that all welding details—including joint configuration, material callouts, welding symbols, inspection points, and code references—are clearly understood and correctly interpreted. This step helps identify potential discrepancies, such as mismatches between field conditions and drawing specifications or inconsistencies between welding procedure specifications (WPS) and design requirements.

Review of Welder Qualification and Weld Procedure Data Sheets

Ensuring that welders are qualified and that approved procedures are followed is a cornerstone of quality assurance in welding. At Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd., certified inspectors rigorously review welder qualification records and Weld Procedure Data Sheets (WPDS) before and during the inspection process. This verification step ensures all welding activities are performed by competent personnel using approved and tested procedures in line with governing codes and project specifications.

Welder qualifications are assessed for validity, scope, and relevance to the specific welding tasks being performed. Inspectors check that each welder holds the proper certification for the material, welding position, process, and technique as required by CSA W47.1 / W47.2, AWS D1.1, or ASME Section IX. Simultaneously, WPDS and supporting Procedure Qualification Records (PQRs) are reviewed to confirm compliance with essential and non-essential variables outlined in the applicable code.

Material Identification and Conformance

Material identification and conformance is a foundational aspect of visual weld inspection, ensuring that all components used in fabrication and construction align with the engineering specifications, project scope, and governing codes. Before any welding begins, Kova Engineering’s certified inspectors verify that the correct materials are being used by reviewing documentation, inspecting markings, and assessing physical condition.

This process includes conforming material types, grades, and thicknesses, along with traceability through heat numbers and mill test reports (MTRs). Inspectors check that materials meet mechanical and chemical property requirements as outlined in the applicable welding procedure specifications (WPS) and project drawings. They also ensure that materials are free from contamination, surface defects, or coatings that could affect weld quality or structural performance.

Get Started With Visual Weld Inspection Services

Ensure your welded components meet the highest standards for quality, performance, and compliance.
Contact Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. today to schedule Visual Weld Inspection Services or to integrate weld inspections into your fabrication or maintenance workflows.

Get Started With Visual Weld Inspection Services

Why Choose Us for Visual Weld Inspection Services?

Over 30 years of proven experience delivering Visual Weld Inspection Services across structural, mechanical, and pressure-retaining systems in Saskatchewan.
Certified inspectors with qualifications aligned to CSA W59, AWS D1.1, and ASME B31.1/B31.3—ensuring thorough, code-compliant visual assessments.
Deep knowledge of welding codes, fabrication practices, and inspection protocols to identify critical surface defects before they lead to failure.
Inspection capabilities that span pre-weld preparation, in-process monitoring, and post-weld evaluation—ensuring quality control at every stage.
Strong integration with engineering teams to interpret inspection results, recommend corrective actions, and verify weld acceptance criteria.
A client-focused approach that delivers detailed, actionable reports aligned with your project scope, operational priorities, and safety requirements.

For trusted visual weld inspection services, choose Kova Engineering (Saskatchewan) Ltd. – where quality and customer satisfaction are our top priorities.