Wall Sheathing Inspection Guide
Your inspector needs to see how the wall sheathing is installed and fastened. Follow these steps before the sheathing is covered.
Show Us the Sheathing and the Fastening Pattern.
Start with wide views so we know which wall we're looking at, then get close enough for the inspector to clearly see the fasteners.
Most structural plans identify specific shear walls. These walls may have a different and often tighter fastening pattern than typical walls. Use the approved plans to identify the shear walls and make sure you follow the fastening pattern shown on the applicable plan detail.
Whenever fastener spacing is important, include clear photos with a measuring tape placed next to the fasteners. Make sure the tape and fasteners are both visible so the inspector can verify the spacing.
Show us all the wall sheathing.
Start with a slow walkthrough around the building or work area.
Make sure we can see:
- All sheathed walls
- Wall corners
- Windows and door openings
- Enough of the building to identify each wall
Show us the panel layout.
Show how the sheathing panels are laid out across the walls.
Make sure we can see:
- Panel edges
- Panel joints
- Top and bottom edges
- Changes in panel layout
Show us the fastening pattern.
Get close enough that the inspector can clearly see the nails or approved fasteners.
Show several areas so the inspector can see that the fastening pattern continues across the wall.
For spacing, place a measuring tape next to the fasteners and take clear photos so we can verify the distance between them.
Make sure we can see:
- Fasteners along panel edges
- Fasteners in the field of the panel
- Measuring tape showing the fastener spacing
- Several representative locations
- Enough surrounding wall to identify where each photo was taken
Show us the shear walls.
Use the approved structural plans to identify which walls are designated as shear walls.
Show the entire shear wall first, then take closer photos of the fastening pattern at several locations.
Use a measuring tape in the close-up photos so the inspector can verify the fastener spacing.
Pay close attention to:
- Panel edges
- Top and bottom of the wall
- Corners and wall ends
- Fastener spacing
- Any special details shown on the approved plans
Not sure if a wall is a shear wall? Check the approved structural plans before continuing. Do not assume every wall uses the same fastening pattern.
Show us windows, doors and other openings.
Show the sheathing and fastening around each type of opening.
Make sure we can see:
- Window openings
- Door openings
- Headers and corners around openings
- Fastening around the edges of the openings
If spacing around an opening is part of the applicable detail, include a photo with a measuring tape so the inspector can verify it.
Show us corners and special connections.
Show areas where the sheathing interacts with structural connections or changes in framing.
Make sure we can see:
- Building corners
- Wall intersections
- Straps or ties that remain visible
- Hold-down locations, where applicable
- Any special sheathing connection shown on the plans
Show us anything different or unusual.
If one wall, panel or connection looks different from the rest, make sure the inspector can see it clearly.
- Different fastening patterns
- Panel repairs or substitutions
- Unusual openings
- Field modifications
- Anything else you think the inspector should see
Before You Submit
Take 30 seconds and make sure your inspector can clearly identify the walls and verify the fastening patterns.
- Can we see all the wall sheathing?
- Can we identify which wall we're looking at in each close-up?
- Can we clearly see the nails or other approved fasteners?
- Did you show the fastening pattern in several locations?
- Did you include measuring-tape photos anywhere spacing needs to be verified?
- Did you identify and clearly show the shear walls?
- Did you show windows, doors, corners and wall intersections?
- Is everything still exposed and easy to see?
That's It.
Submit your photos, videos and measurement photos through Permit Rockstar. Your inspector will compare the sheathing installation and fastening patterns with the approved structural and architectural plans.
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