A focused Canadian pre-board check of exterior wall vapour barrier and air barrier penetrations at electrical boxes, pipes, ducts, wires, blocking, poly boots, and gaskets before gypsum board conceals them.
7 items to check
These checklists are in development and testing. Information is for reference only and does not replace professional consultation. Data may contain inaccuracies. Consult a qualified professional.
If you notice an error, please email [email protected].
For a complete inspection, also consider:
Broader Canadian pre-board check for rough-in visibility, air/vapour continuity, and cold-climate envelope coordination before board.
Adjacent envelope air-sealing check at the rim joist and joist header space before the work is concealed.
The exterior wall assembly should have a clear air barrier and vapour control strategy before gypsum board. The applicable code edition, energy target, and inspection hold point depend on the province, municipality, permit date, and AHJ.
Device boxes on exterior walls should maintain air/vapour continuity using approved airtight boxes, poly boots, gaskets, or sealed box details accepted for the assembly. Sealing work must not compromise Canadian Electrical Code requirements, product approval, box fill, conductor protection, support, or accessibility.
Every opening through the designated air barrier or vapour barrier should be sealed with a compatible material suited to the substrate, gap size, movement, and service passing through. Loose batt insulation is not an air seal.
Duct and sleeve penetrations through exterior walls must maintain air barrier continuity while respecting mechanical, fire, combustion air, gas vent, and manufacturer clearance requirements. Combustible foam or ordinary sealant should not be assumed acceptable at heat-producing or listed vent assemblies.
Where blocking, backing, interior partitions, fireblocking, tub backs, shower backs, cabinets, or service chases interrupt an exterior wall membrane, the air/vapour control layer should be sealed to continuous backing or carried through before board.
Tapes, sealants, foams, membranes, boots, and gaskets used as part of the air/vapour control system should match the manufacturer instructions, listing or evaluation, substrate condition, and AHJ acceptance. Wet, frosted, dirty, or mould-contaminated materials should not be concealed.
Before gypsum board, unresolved penetrations should be repaired, re-inspected, and documented for the builder, AHJ, energy advisor, warranty file, or later blower-door troubleshooting where applicable.
Use this checklist after exterior-wall rough-ins, insulation, and the interior vapour barrier or designated air barrier sealing details are installed, but before gypsum board hides the penetrations. It is written for a 10-25 minute room-by-room pass on Canadian low-rise residential work. Confirm the actual air barrier plane first: in some assemblies it is sealed polyethylene or a variable-permeance membrane, while in others it may be exterior sheathing, airtight drywall, spray foam, or a hybrid detail.
A Canada-focused checklist for rough framing, fire stopping, air/vapour barrier continuity, electrical rough-in, and cold-climate envelope details before board.
A focused Canadian pre-board check of rim joist and joist header space air sealing before insulation, vapour barrier, or gypsum board conceal the work.