Pre-Cover Walk Checklist
Use before ceiling, insulation, drywall, or finished work hides duct problems.
First move
Walk the run like someone else will inspect it after it is hidden.
Use when
You are doing a ceiling-close, insulation, hard-lid, or pre-cover walk and need to catch hidden-work problems before they disappear.
Field steps
- Confirm duct size, route, elevation, support, seal, and access.
- Check dampers, access doors, labels, cleanouts, VAV/service panels, TAB access, and equipment clearance.
- Look for flex kinks, crushed spiral, unsealed joints, unsupported sections, and wrong materials.
- Document issues by room/grid/system with wide and close photos.
- Ask who owns each fix before cover continues.
Do not
- Do not cover a known problem because it was another crew’s work.
- Do not leave damper/access/TAB items hidden.
- Do not assume inspection will catch it later.
Ask when
Ask when any item affects access, seal, support, rating, TAB, inspection, or owner service.
Photos/info to collect
- Wide room/grid
- Close defect
- Measurement if clearance/access issue
- Drawing/detail if mismatch