Pre-Drywall Inspection

An inspection of components that will soon be covered by insulation and wall claddings
Many issues identified during a pre-drywall inspection can not be identified during a final inspection and may not become an issue until your home is out of warranty
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Frequently asked questions

Once drywall and exterior cladding go up, the water resistive barrier, framing, plumbing, wiring, and ductwork inside your walls are hidden for good. A pre-drywall inspection gives you an independent look at your new home while those systems are still exposed, so issues can be fixed by the builder before they're covered.

After the water resistive barrier, framing, roof, rough plumbing, rough electrical, HVAC, windows, and exterior doors are installed, and before insulation and drywall. Your builder should give you a window of when to schedule a pre-drywall inspection, but only if you have asked them previously. Make sure you let your builder know you intend to do a pre-drywall inspection and keep an eye on their progress. Oftentimes, builders will put up drywall and cladding and say they forgot that you wanted to do a pre-drywall inspection.

Foundation: shear walls, anchors and straps, lag bolts at sill plates
Floor, wall, and roof framing: joists, trusses, beams, headers, sheathing, bracing, connectors and hangers and fireblocking
HVAC: equipment, ductwork, vents and flues, condensate lines, and clearances
Plumbing: supply lines, drain/waste/vent piping, gas lines, supports, and vent clearances
Electrical: service equipment, panels, grounding and bonding, wiring runs, and box locations
Windows, exterior doors and other wall penetrations: attachment, flashing, and egress openings
Exterior wall coverings: water resistive barrier, flashing, drainage, fasteners, and supports
Fireplaces: chimney components, gas appliances, and clearances to combustibles

A written report identifying significant deficiencies, explaining why they matter, and recommending correction or further evaluation, so you can share it with your builder.

COMMON DEFECTS IDENTIFIED IN A PRE-DRYWALL INSPECTION

Flashing is not secured with the correct tape

Building code requires self-adhered membranes (tape) to meet AAMA 711 requirements to be used as a flashing tape. The metal flashing has been secured using Tyvek tape which is not a flashing tape and is not designed for this use. The flashing in this location transitions water that drains behind the masory to the wall exterior. A failure in this location could cause water to leak into the home interior and would require removing the bricks to repair.

Combustible material in contact with fireplace vent

This type of vent requires a minimum clearance of 1" to combustible materials. Once the drywall in installed this would not be visible.

Sheathing has not been blocked at edges

The sheathing manufacturer requires the entire perimeter of the sheathing to be fastened.

Nailing flange of window has been covered with flashing tape

This particular method of installation requires the rough opening of the window sill to be flashed, but not the nailing flange. This can cause water to be trapped in the wall which can lead to issues down the road. If this issue is not corrected now, the bricks will have to be removed to repair.