Inspect Wall Sheathing and Prepare for Weatherproofing

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one completed envelope-readiness inspection covering every exterior wall elevation of the structure, including all wall sheathing, structural connectors that will be concealed by the envelope system, and every scheduled window and exterior door rough opening.

B. Required Documentation Schedule

Document	Source	Confirmation Required
Framing plan	Design professional / plan set	Current revision on site
Wall-sheathing schedule	Design professional / plan set	Panel type, thickness, span rating, and fastening confirmed for each elevation
Structural connector details	Design professional / manufacturer	Hold-down, strap, and shear-wall component locations confirmed
Window and door schedules	Design professional / plan set	Rough-opening dimensions and clearances confirmed for each unit
Prior structural inspection records	Prior project record	Confirmed complete and accepted before sheathing inspection begins
Change documentation	Design professional / general contractor	All approved field changes incorporated

C. Preparation Materials and Consumables

• Fastener stock: sheathing fasteners matching the approved fastening schedule, for resetting or replacing authorized locations only.
• Repair materials: minor sheathing patch material permitted by the sheathing manufacturer, limited to authorized surface repairs.
• Marking materials: lumber crayon or marking pencil and flagging tape, sufficient to mark every deficiency location before correction or qualified review.
• Documentation: one envelope-readiness inspection record per structure or per elevation as required by the project specification.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Sheathing condition	Free of damaged edges, delamination, swelling, soft areas, punctures, excessive gaps, protruding fasteners, contamination, and loose panels
Panel specification	Type, thickness, span rating, orientation, edge support, joint layout, and fastening match the approved structural specification
Structural connectors	Hold-downs, straps, and shear-wall components installed and inspected as required before concealment
Rough-opening dimensions	Width, height, square, level, plumb, sill condition, and clearances match the approved window and door schedules within the permitted adjustment range
Sill drainage potential	Each rough-opening sill can drain outward or can receive the approved sloped sill-pan system
Documentation completeness	Deficiencies, corrections, photographs, and the final readiness decision are recorded on the envelope-readiness inspection record

E. Document Review and Site Access (Steps 1–3)

1. Obtain the current framing plan, wall-sheathing schedule, structural connector details, window and door schedules, envelope specification, and prior inspection records. Confirm the revision date of each document against the project's document-control log before using it.
2. Confirm that wall framing, sheathing, hold-downs, straps, headers, rough openings, and required structural inspections are complete. Verify the prior structural inspection record shows the required approval before proceeding.
3. Establish safe access around every elevation using approved ladders, scaffolds, lifts, or work platforms. Confirm footing, tie-off points, and platform capacity before beginning inspection at height.

F. Sheathing and Structural Inspection (Steps 4–11)

1. Inspect the interior face of the sheathing where accessible for missed fasteners, unsupported edges, daylight, water staining, mold, framing conflicts, and penetrations. Use a flashlight to check corners, plate lines, and areas hidden by framing members.
2. Inspect exterior sheathing for damaged edges, delamination, swelling, soft areas, punctures, excessive gaps, protruding fasteners, contamination, and loose panels. Probe suspect areas with a moisture meter where staining or softness is observed.
3. Verify panel type, thickness, span rating, orientation, edge support, joint layout, and fastening against the approved structural specification. Record the panel and fastening identification used at each elevation.
4. Inspect structural connectors and shear-wall components that will be concealed by the envelope system. Confirm hold-downs, straps, and connector fasteners are installed and torqued or seated as specified.
5. Verify rough-opening width, height, square, level, plumb, sill condition, header condition, and required clearances for each scheduled window and exterior door. Compare every measurement against the approved window and door schedules.
6. Check that rough-opening sills can drain outward or can receive the approved sloped sill-pan system. Confirm the sill framing supports the slope or pan system specified for that opening.
7. Identify wall-to-roof, wall-to-foundation, deck-to-wall, porch, balcony, and other high-risk transitions. Mark each transition location for coordination with later flashing and WRB projects.
8. Identify planned pipe, duct, electrical, cable, and fixture penetrations and compare them with the approved plans. Confirm each planned penetration location does not conflict with framing, connectors, or rough openings.

G. Cleanup and Authorized Correction (Steps 12–17)

1. Remove loose debris, mud, dust, oil, protrusions, and sharp edges that could damage the WRB or flashing. Clean the full wall surface, not only the areas immediately around openings.
2. Reset or replace authorized sheathing fasteners using the approved schedule. Use only the fastener type, length, and spacing specified for that panel and framing condition.
3. Complete only minor surface repairs permitted by the sheathing manufacturer and structural documents. Do not extend a repair beyond the manufacturer's permitted patch size or method.
4. Mark damaged panels, framing conflicts, oversized openings, unsupported edges, and structural conditions requiring qualified review. Flag each location clearly and do not proceed with correction beyond your authorized scope.
5. Prepare a deficiency list identifying location, condition, required correction, responsible authority, and reinspection method. Include every condition marked in the prior step, whether or not it has been corrected.
6. Correct authorized deficiencies and remeasure affected openings and wall areas. Confirm the corrected condition against the Acceptance Standards table before considering it resolved.

H. Documentation and Readiness Decision (Steps 18–20)

1. Photograph and document sheathing condition, rough-opening dimensions, penetrations, transitions, and unresolved items. Label each photograph with its elevation and location for later reference.
2. Issue a proceed, conditional-proceed, or stop-work envelope-readiness decision. Base the decision on the completed deficiency list and the Acceptance Standards table, and identify the responsible authority for any open item.
3. Protect prepared walls and openings until WRB installation begins. Cover or otherwise shield exposed sheathing and openings from unexpected rain or wind before leaving the site.