Before closing on a newly constructed home, a crucial step to protect your investment and save money is a pre-drywall inspection.
A specialized pre-drywall inspection is one of the most important checks you can do for new constructions in Florida. This inspection identifies hidden conditions that could lead to mold growth and compromised indoor air quality, potentially making your family sick long after you move in. It also helps you make smart decisions about your health and investment before you close on the property.
But what exactly does a specialized pre-drywall inspection entail, and who conducts the actual inspection? Let’s find out in this post.
What is a Pre-drywall?
Pre-drywall is the stage during construction when the key parts of a home, such as the framing, foundation, windows, doors, plumbing, and electrical systems, are in place but the walls haven’t been closed up yet. So basically, all the fundamentals of the home are placed in their appropriate positions but remain exposed, not covered by walls.
This is the critical window when issues affecting your home’s air quality, like improper ductwork installation, excessive wood moisture, and early signs of mold, are still visible and can be addressed before they’re sealed behind drywall.
What is a Pre-drywall Inspection?
A pre-drywall inspection is a thorough examination conducted during construction before drywall installation. However, it’s important to understand that there are different types of pre-drywall inspections depending on the inspector’s specialty and focus.
- Traditional pre-drywall inspections conducted by general home inspectors focus on structural, electrical, and plumbing systems.
- Specialized pre-drywall inspections, like those offered by Building Performance Solutions, focus specifically on indoor air quality and potential health hazards, particularly conditions that could lead to mold growth and poor air quality in your Florida home.
This specialized inspection is crucial because once drywall is installed, issues with air ducts, moisture levels, and mold growth become hidden behind walls, making them far more difficult and expensive to detect and fix later.
Note: Building codes require pre-drywall inspections before drywall installation. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with support from the U.S. Department of Energy, mandates that these inspections be conducted before drywall is installed. At Building Performance Solutions, our specialized inspection goes beyond basic code compliance to focus specifically on your family’s health and indoor air quality.
What Does a Pre-drywall Inspection Include?
At Building Performance Solutions, our specialized pre-drywall inspection focuses specifically on factors that affect your home’s indoor air quality and your family’s health. Unlike general construction inspections, we specialize in identifying conditions that could make homeowners sick in the future.
Here’s what we examine:
Flexible Ductwork Installation
In Florida, flexible air ducts are commonly used, and they require proper installation to function efficiently. We inspect to ensure ducts are not touching anything, not laying on trusses, not touching each other, and not compressed. Flexible ductwork needs air circulation all the way around it to prevent condensation and maintain efficiency.
Duct Connections and Compression
We carefully examine the connections between air ducts and collars in the boots (where air exits into rooms). These connections must not be compressed by more than 4%, as excessive compression can cause condensation that can lead to mold growth inside your walls.
Wood Moisture Content
The Florida building code requires that the wood moisture content at installation cannot exceed 17%. We measure the moisture levels in framing lumber because excessive moisture creates the perfect environment for mold growth, even before you move in.
Visible Mold and Microbial Growth
We inspect all wood trusses and studs for any visible signs of mold or microbial growth on surfaces. Catching these issues before drywall installation prevents hidden mold problems that could affect your family’s health for years.
Electrical Penetration Sealing
Where electrical wires pass through the top plates of walls, proper foam sealing is essential. We verify that these penetrations are properly sealed to prevent air leakage, which can cause condensation and contribute to mold growth.
While we don’t inspect plumbing or electrical systems (which require specialized licenses), our focus is on what matters most for your long-term health: ensuring your home’s hidden spaces won’t harbor mold or compromise your indoor air quality after the walls are closed.
Pre-drywall Inspection Checklist
Specialized pre-drywall inspection focuses on indoor air quality and mold prevention:
Flexible Ductwork Assessment
- Verify ducts are not touching trusses, walls, or each other.
- Confirm air can circulate around all ductwork.
- Check for proper support and positioning.
Duct Connection Integrity
- Inspect connections between ducts and collars/boots.
- Measure compression levels (must not exceed 4%)
- Identify potential condensation points.
Moisture Content Testing
- Measure wood moisture levels in framing members.
- Verify compliance with Florida code (17% maximum)
- Document any areas of concern.
Mold and Microbial Growth Detection
- Visual inspection of all wood trusses
- Examination of wall studs for growth
- Document any existing contamination.
Air Sealing Verification
- Check electrical wire penetrations through the top plates.
- Confirm proper foam sealing at all penetrations.
- Identify air leakage points.
Documentation
- Detailed photos and videos of all findings
- Moisture meter readings
- Written report with specific recommendations
The results from all these tests will be detailed in the inspection report. Many specialized pre-drywall inspection professionals include photos and videos to provide you with a clear picture of your home’s condition.
What Happens After Pre-drywall Inspections?
After a pre-drywall inspection is done, the inspector will share the results with you and/or your builder. The builder is then responsible for fixing any issues found.
After this, the inspector will return for another round of checks to ensure that all issues that were raised have been correctly fixed and that the building is now up to code. Once the inspector gives the go-ahead, the builder will install the drywall, and you (homeowner) can breathe a sigh of relief.
Who Does a Pre-drywall Inspection?
Sometimes, builders conduct pre-drywall inspections independently. However, as the buyer, you should always seek an unbiased opinion on inspections like this. So, hiring a specialized professional pre-drywall inspector is best.
This independent professional should be certified by appropriate bodies and be very knowledgeable about building codes in your location. The inspector you choose should also be able to provide a very detailed report after the inspection.
Tip: If you’re in Fort Myers, Tampa, Sarasota, Siesta Key, Naples, Longboat Key, or anywhere else in Florida, Building Performance Solutions provides specialized pre-drywall inspections focused on indoor air quality and mold prevention. As certified building performance experts with deep knowledge of Florida’s unique climate, we identify hidden health hazards before drywall installation, catching moisture issues, improper ductwork, and mold risks that could make your family sick years down the road.
Tips for a Pre-drywall Inspection For a New Build
The tips below will help you get the best information from a pre-drywall inspector for your new home.
To get the most out of it, follow these practical tips:
- Schedule at the right time
Schedule the inspection after framing and HVAC rough-ins are complete, but before drywall installation. This ensures that ductwork, wood framing, and other air-quality-related systems are visible and easy to inspect.
- Hire an experienced inspector
Choose a professional with specialized experience in new construction and knowledge of local building codes, like Building Performance Solutions. These experts are more likely to spot hidden issues that could become costly later.
- Review your building’s plans ahead of time
Bring your home’s blueprints and specifications. This helps the inspector compare the construction to the approved plans and catch deviations early.
- Be present during the inspection
Attending the inspection allows you to ask questions on the spot and understand any potential issues firsthand.
- Get notes, videos, and photos
Ask your inspector to document any concerns, defects, or areas that need correction. Photos and videos help your builder clearly understand the problems.
- Ask for a detailed report
A written report ensures that all findings are clearly outlined, including recommendations for fixes and issue prioritization.
- Follow up with your builder
Share the inspection results and ensure any necessary corrections are completed before drywall installation.
- Don’t rush the process
Allow your inspector sufficient time to review the home thoroughly. Catching problems now can save significant time, money, and headaches later.
Our specialized inspections give you confidence that your new home will look good and be 100% healthy to live in.
Wrapping Up
A specialized pre-drywall inspection is your best opportunity to ensure your new Florida home will be healthy and safe for your family before the walls are closed. By catching moisture issues, mold risks, and ductwork problems early, you save time and money, protect your family’s health, and gain confidence in your investment.
If you are located in Florida, trust Building Performance Solutions to provide thorough, professional inspections so you can move forward with peace of mind and a home built to last.
Schedule a consultation asap for emergency or normal services. We are available 24/7 and ready to fix any issues, even on short notice!
