Pre-Cover Walk Checklist

Use before ceiling, insulation, drywall, or finished work hides duct problems.

You are doing a ceiling-close, insulation, hard-lid, or pre-cover walk and need to catch hidden-work problems before they disappear.

Stop if

• Ask when any item affects access, seal, support, rating, TAB, inspection, or owner service.

Watch out

• 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.

Check

• Wide room/grid
• Close defect
• Measurement if clearance/access issue
• Drawing/detail if mismatch

Steps

• Walk the run like someone else will inspect it after it is hidden.
• 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.

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