

Inspection Types
Erosion Control
What You Should Know:
Erosion control is not a stand-alone inspection (though it can be if there is a complaint.) Erosion control inspections begin with the first inspection (which is usually a footing inspection) and continue throughout the building process. Erosion control measures must be placed prior to excavating. This includes a tracking pad to keep sediment off roads. Tracking pad is 50’ of breaker rock or gravel mulch (Class 5) from road to structure.
Erosion control measures also include keeping adjacent properties free from blowing construction materials and run-off sediment from rainfall etc.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling Code
321.125 Silt fence, straw bales, or non-channel matting to protect downslope perimeter; 12" thick (3” to 6” diam. clean stone) tracking pad on all access drives (50 ft. length or to the foundation); soil stockpiles protected by proper erosion control methods; waterbodies and drainage ways protected from sediment discharge; no tracking onto street; off-site inlet protection; recheck as needed for repair and maintenance on future inspections.
Footing Inspection
What You Should Know:
This is generally the first inspection that takes place. Call for inspection BEFORE cement is poured. Forms should be placed on suitable soil with the required reinforcing rods. The continuous forms should also have the correct width and depth. Bleeders may be required in wet soil. Tracking pad and erosion control measures MUST be already in place. This is the inspection in which the inspector determines whether drain tile is needed for a new dwelling. Please be sure to check your inspection report to find out if you need a complete drain tile system.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling Code
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321.16 48" Frost depth including at basement walkouts
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321.12 & 321.33 Proper planned sill elevation for zoning and drainage 321.14 (2) Soil - no organics, uncompact fill, water, frost
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321.16 & ACI 318 5.12 (shall be insulated if cold weather) and verify frost depth likely at site
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321.17 Groundwater/clay: tiles with bleeders 8' o.c. (also requires 4" base course under slab and damp roofing of block foundations)
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321.15 Forms or adequate soil stiffness (normally will form footings if tiles or basement floor base course required)
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321.15 (2) Form or trench sizes: - width: 8" plus foundation wall width - depth: 8" except fireplace and chimney footings to be 12" - columns: 12” x 24" x 24" (can include slab thickness) - footings for basement center bearing walls
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320.10 & ACI 318 15.9.2 Rebar per plan or as needed to bridge problem spots 321.02 (3)(e) Protected from freezing during cure
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321.125 Silt fence, straw bales, or non-channel matting to protect downslope perimeter; 12" thick (3” to 6” diam. clean stone) tracking pad on all access drives (50 ft. length or to the foundation); soil stockpiles protected by proper erosion control methods; waterbodies and drainage ways protected from sediment discharge; no tracking onto street; off-site inlet protection; recheck as needed for repair and maintenance on future inspections.
Foundation Inspection
What You Should Know:
Poured foundations: Call for the inspection after the required reinforcements are installed but BEFORE cement is poured. Wood or Block Foundations: Call for inspection after waterproofing but before backfilling.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling Code
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321.15 (2)(a) Footing has minimum 4” each side of foundation wall and 8” minimum depth
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321.18 Proper foundation thickness, pilaster spacing, and reinforcement per code tables
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321.18 (3) Maximum fill height for unreinforced HCB supporting WF: 8" block - (6 courses) in nongranular; 5' (8 courses) in granular; 10" block - 6' (8 courses) in nongranular; 6’ (9 courses) in granular
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321.15 (2)(c) Stepped foundation lintels or reinforcement (short steps okay with plain concrete)
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321.18 (3)(b) Rebar or other reinforcement per plan
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321.26(3) Type M or S mortar
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321.26(12) 1/2" maximum mortar joint 321.18 (3) Anchor bolt placement: minimum 6’ o.c. for concrete and 2 1/2' o.c. for HCB 321.26(9) Beam to bear on: 8" height solid of solid concrete (or steel plate)
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321.17 (3)(d) Required tiles: gravel bed of 2", cover of 12"321.18 (3) Block damp proofed in clay soil
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322.32 (6) Foundation insulation per energy worksheet including frost wall under basement walkouts
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321.07 (2) & 322.34(3)(a) 1:1500 crawl space venting and 14" x 24" access
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321.02 (3) 321.26 (1) Protected from freezing during cure
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321.18 (1)(c) & (d) Walls braced or floor system in prior to backfill
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321.16, 321.12, 321.10 Proper elevation for frost depth, zoning, drainage, and protection of wood from decay
Drain Tile Inspection
What You Should Know:
Drain tile must be installed in clay soil types. The building inspector determines soil type at the footing inspection. You must review the footing inspection to see if a complete drain tile system is called for. If it is, then your excavator must be informed so that they can request a drain tile inspection. This inspection is a separate inspection to view the rock. If you choose to install drain tile as precaution but is not indicated as necessary by the building inspector, an inspection is not needed (and you will be charged for the extra inspection if you request one that is not needed.) However, if the building inspector calls for drain tile, it MUST be installed and inspected.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling Code
Underground Plumbing
What You Should Know:
The underslab plumbing inspection will be called in by your WI Master Plumber. This inspection takes place before the basement floor poly inspection.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling code
Underslab Poly/In-Floor Heat (AKA Poly Vapor Barrier)
What You Should Know:
An inspection of the under floor vapor retarder as required before pouring the floor and after any underground plumbing inspections. An in-floor heat inspection is also done at this time so be sure to coordinate subcontractors. 1. Needs to be installed directly under the concrete floor slab. 2. Vapor retarder material needs to be at least 6 mils in thickness. 3. Joints in the vapor retarder need to be overlapped at least 6 inches and taped or sealed (including around plumbing penetrations and sump pump. 3. Have to use non-porous tape (ex: Tyvek tape) 4. Not required under the slab of an unconditioned attached garage. 5. In-floor heat inspection done at this time as well. Must be pressure tested.
Relevant Code Sections from WI SPS Uniform Dwelling Code
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321.17 (3) Bleeders 8' o.c. with tar paper over interior joints
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321.17, 321.20 (2)(3) 4" clean base course if clay soil or tiles required
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382.36 (8)(a)2. Storm crock lip to be 1" above floor 321.20 Minimum 3" concrete floor thickness
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321.203 (1)(2) Minimum 4" garage floors on 4" base course, Floor slopes to drain toward overhead door or to an interior floor drain that complies with SPS 382
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321.16 Ground to be free of frost
Electrical Service Inspection
What You Should Know:
Utility companies require an inspector’s sign off on the electrical service prior to service hook-up. Each utility company has their own form. When the service is ready for inspection, the electrician should complete the certificate in its entirety and leave it in the meter box. Once the certificate is in the meter box, the electrician may call for an inspection. Upon completion of an approved service inspection, the inspector will process the certificate in the manner dictated by the utility company. Please do not fax or email the certificate to our office. It must be left on site.
Framing and Rough-ins
What You Should Know:
Not all projects require all rough-in inspections. Refer to your permit for required inspections. Framing and rough-In inspections of plumbing, HVAC, and electric shall be done at the same time. You must have framing and all required rough-ins inspected and approved before insulating. It is possible to request individual inspections, however, they will be charged as extra inspections.
Framing: Basic framing of the project is complete. Notching and boring will be checked at this time as well as fireplace construction and clearances. You must have truss plans, engineered plans etc. on site or it is an automatic failure and you will be charged for not being ready.
Rough Electric: All electrical boxes in place, wire is pulled and stapled, wires in boxes are stripped, tied, and pig-tailed.
Rough HVAC: Heat register openings and cold air return cavities are in place.
Rough Plumbing: This inspection must be coordinated with your plumber. An air test is required. Waste and vent plumbing must hold 5 PSI of air for 15 minutes. Gas and water lines also need to be pressure tested. Plumbing less than an 1¼ inches from the wall has to be nail-plated.
Insulation
Pool Bonding
Final