Insulation Inspection
No drywall can be installed until insulation inspection is complete and Oxalis Advisors confirms the house passes.
- Framing
- All corners must be california corners with insulation behind them
- Ladder t exterior wall intersections
- Minimal framing around all doors and windows
- Insulation
- Grade I insulation (fiberglass or spray foam) must be installed in the walls and subfloor if applicable
- DO cut insulation around outlet boxes
- DO split insulation so that wires run in between
- DON’T compress insulation
- DON’T have batts falling out of cavities or empty cavities
- DO insulate above top plate and install a baffle in each cavity
- For wood frame houses, R-19 in exterior walls, can be faced or unfaced
- For CMU block houses, fi-foil is accepted
- Must insulate behind tubs against exterior walls in CMU and wood frame
- Must install air barrier between insulation and tub on exterior walls
- General
- NFRC window stickers must be left on all windows displaying the U factor and SHGC value.
- All penetrations to the exterior, slab, subfloor, or attic must be foamed
- Foam sealing perimeter of exterior doors and windows
- Bottom plate and top plate sealed with elastomeric caulk
- Any chases must be capped and sealed (usually in bathroom)
- HVAC
- Mastic visible on installed ductwork
- All ducts covered with ductboard or cardboard
- Microwave must vent directly to outside
- Exhaust bath fan runs should be as straight and short as possible, no 180 degree turns
Common Mistakes at Insulation Inspection:
- Missing insulation behind tub
- Insulation is falling out, compressed, or missing, especially behind corners, not installed above top plate, baffles not in all cavities
- No air barrier behind tub
- Microwave not vented directly to outside
- Bath fan run is long and has turns, therefore fails at final (must pull at least 50 CFM)