Inspect Windows, Doors, Weatherstripping, and Air Leaks

A. Finished-Project Specification

Scope: one complete, non-destructive inspection of every accessible exterior window and door in one residence, covering exterior water-management details, glass and frame condition, operation, weatherstripping and hardware, and visible air leakage, producing one opening inspection record.

B. Opening Inspection Route Schedule

Segment	Areas Covered	Primary Purpose
Exterior frame review	Head, jamb, sill, threshold, trim, flashing, sealant, and visible drainage paths at each opening	Establish water-management condition independent of operation
Glass and frame condition	Cracks, impact damage, fogging, seal-failure indicators, decay, corrosion, coating failure	Identify conditions affecting safety, water resistance, and service boundary
Operation and hardware	Opening, closing, locking, latching, balances, hinges, closers, screens, and child-safety devices	Confirm safe normal operation without dismantling
Weatherstripping and air-leak screening	Compression, continuity, brittleness, tearing, and common leakage paths at joints and gaps	Separate serviceable weatherstripping from broader air-sealing needs
Interior evidence	Stains, condensation, peeling paint, swelling, mold-like growth, floor damage near openings	Correlate interior symptoms with exterior and operational findings

C. Records and Reference Takeoff

• Records to review before inspection: known drafts, leaks, condensation, security concerns, difficult operation, prior adjustments, and window or door replacement history.
• Opening Inspection Worksheet: one copy, used to record every opening's identifier, type, operation, lock status, weatherstripping condition, water evidence, air-leak priority, and recommendation.
• Service list: maintained alongside the worksheet, separating cleaning, lubrication, minor adjustment, weatherstripping, sealant, hardware, frame repair, flashing repair, and replacement.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
Route coverage	Every accessible exterior window and door is inspected in the defined four-part sequence
Egress identification	Every opening with an egress, fire, security, accessibility, or emergency-rescue function is identified before operation
Operation record completeness	Every approved opening's operation result is recorded, including drag, sag, latch resistance, and support condition where applicable
Water evidence recorded	Exterior frame condition and interior water evidence are recorded independently of the operation result
Air-leak screening	Only visual, hand-feel, tissue-strip, or other approved non-destructive methods are used; no open flame or uncontrolled smoke appears in the record
Priority classification	Every opening is classified with a recommendation limited to cleaning, lubrication, minor adjustment, weatherstripping, sealant, hardware, frame repair, flashing repair, or replacement

E. Preparation — Records, Egress Identification, and Route Planning

1. Review known symptoms and history. Record known drafts, leaks, condensation, security concerns, difficult operation, prior adjustments, and window or door replacement history for the property.
2. Identify functional openings. Identify every opening with an egress, fire, security, accessibility, storm-protection, or emergency-rescue function before beginning operation.
3. Exclude unsafe openings from operation. Exclude unsafe, broken, painted-shut, severely distorted, or specialty openings from operation until qualified evaluation, and record the reason for exclusion.
4. Photograph exterior and interior conditions. Photograph representative and defective openings at both the exterior frame and the interior side before close inspection.

F. Exterior Frame and Glass Inspection

1. Inspect exterior frame details. Inspect head, jamb, sill, threshold, trim, flashing, sealant, weeps, drainage paths, and cladding transitions at each opening.
2. Do not seal intentional drainage. Do not seal window weeps, sill drainage, door threshold drainage, or intentional ventilation openings during this inspection.
3. Inspect glass condition. Inspect glass for cracks, impact damage, failed glazing, fogging, seal-failure indicators, and loose stops.
4. Inspect frame and sash or slab condition. Inspect frames and sashes or slabs for decay, corrosion, swelling, delamination, distortion, loose components, and coating failure.

G. Operation, Hardware, and Lock Inspection

1. Operate each approved window. Operate through normal opening, closing, locking, and support functions only when safe.
2. Verify sash support. Confirm sashes remain supported and do not fall, bind dangerously, or disengage during operation.
3. Inspect window hardware. Inspect balances, cranks, hinges, rollers, tracks, locks, limiters, screens, and child-safety devices without dismantling them.
4. Operate each approved exterior door. Record drag, sag, latch resistance, threshold contact, closer action, and required force qualitatively.
5. Inspect door hardware. Inspect hinges, frame, jamb, slab, threshold, sweep, lockset, deadbolt, strike, closer, and security hardware.
6. Verify secure lock and latch engagement. Confirm locks and latches engage without lifting, slamming, or excessive force.

H. Weatherstripping, Air-Leak Screening, and Interior Evidence

1. Inspect weatherstripping condition. Inspect for compression, continuity, brittleness, tearing, displacement, paint adhesion, and missing sections.
2. Inspect sweeps and thresholds. Inspect door sweeps and thresholds for contact, drainage, wear, and floor clearance.
3. Screen for air leakage using approved methods only. Use visual, hand-feel, tissue-strip, or other approved non-destructive method under safe and suitable conditions, and never use open flame or uncontrolled smoke.
4. Check common leakage paths. Inspect operable joints, meeting rails, pulley pockets, trim gaps, recessed hardware, penetrations, and rough-opening transitions.
5. Classify the leakage source. Distinguish leakage through serviceable weatherstripping from leakage requiring trim removal, frame repair, flashing correction, or broader enclosure work.
6. Inspect interior evidence. Inspect interior stains, condensation, peeling paint, swelling, mold-like growth, and floor damage related to each opening.

I. Classification and Recordkeeping

1. Identify priority conditions. Classify unsafe egress, broken glass, unsecured doors, falling sash, failed lock, active water entry, and severe frame decay as priority items.
2. Refer conditions beyond this chapter's scope. Refer insulated-glass failure, structural frame movement, exterior flashing, replacement windows, rated doors, and high-security work as required.
3. Record every opening. Record location, type, operation, lock status, weatherstripping condition, water evidence, air-leak priority, photograph, and recommendation.
4. Create the service list. Separate cleaning, lubrication, minor adjustment, weatherstripping, sealant, hardware, frame repair, flashing repair, and replacement into distinct categories.
5. Update the property log. Identify openings to be serviced in Chapter 8 and file the completed opening inspection record.