Inspections & Permits  
  Codes, Requirements, and Development Guides  
  Commercial  
  Fees  
  Forms  
  Frequently Asked Questions
  Inspections
  Jurisdiction  
  Permits  
  Services  
  Staff Directory  
print  |  email

Top Reasons for Failure


Inspections

Wake County is often asked to name the top reasons as to why inspections fail and plans are rejected. To assist you in planning your project, we've compiled this list. While it is not exhaustive of all the reasons for failure and rejection, it is a good sample of the leading causes.

The Top 10 Reasons for Building Inspection Failures in Single Family Construction:
  1. Firestopping and draft stopping
  2. Failure to follow engineered plan and specifications and/or not providing required documentation (plans, truss drawings, LVL information, etc.)
  3. No 10 x 30 gravel driveway pad at footing inspection
  4. House not ready when inspection is called. Items from previous list not corrected.
  5. Failure to provide continuous bearing at the ends of gable trusses down to the foundation
  6. Improper notching and drilling of holes in structural wood
  7. Failure to use safety glass in hazardous locations, such as adjacent to door and bathtub areas
  8. Inadequate blocking between floor joists where a load-bearing wall is located above
  9. Improper caulking and weatherstripping around the exterior of the home
  10. a) No insulation at final inspection (attic access and/or flooring), and b) House numbers not posted.

The Top 10 Reasons Why Building Plans are Rejected for Single-Family Construction:
  1. Supports not provided or properly documented for beams, point loads, offset load-bearing walls and columns
  2. Beams omitted from plans (6.1% porch beams, 2.6% other beams)
  3. Footing details omitted for foundation walls
  4. Piers or pier footing sizes not shown or not in accordance to Code
  5. Foundation vent calculations and cross venting not provided or in accordance with Code
  6. Attic vent calculations not supplied or not in accordance to Code
  7. Ceiling joists or floor joists omitted from plans
  8. Roof plans omitted unclear or lacking sufficient information
  9. Details for support of concrete or wood porch flooring
  10. Details for proper designed or sealed cantilevers omitted from plans.

The Top 10 Reasons for Failed Inspections in Single-Family Dwellings for:


Electrical
  1. The house is locked.
  2. Ground-fault circuit interrupter not installed on circuits feeding receptacles in bathrooms, garages, outside receptacles, crawl space and kitchen counters.
  3. Ground rod not driven flush or below finish grade with an approved ground clamp.
  4. Nonmetallic cable not secured within twelve inches(12") of boxes, within eight inches (8") for single gang device box and every four feet (4').
  5. Grounding of all metal equipment – including metal device boxes
  6. Receptacles located so that no point along the wall space exceeds 6 feet without a receptacle (including wall spaces two feet wide and greater). Counter top space in kitchens so that no point along the wall of a counter exceeds two feet without a receptacle.
  7. Nail plates where holes containing cables is less than 1-1/4" from edge of stud
  8. Overcurrent protection of appliances are not in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.
  9. Panelboards not labeled properly
  10. Required working clearances are not maintained at service equipment and panelboards.


Heating and Air Conditioning

  1. Job not ready for inspection
  2. Test on gas piping has leaked on rough-in and/or final inspection.
  3. Equipment not installed in accordance with manufacturer's installation instructions
  4. Gas logs have not been installed in fireplace (part of listed equipment).
  5. Proper clearances of gas vent pipes
  6. Piping must be installed and tested from the outlet side of the first stage regulator to the house for LPG systems for final inspection.
  7. Outside equipment has not been installed a minimum of three inches (3") above finished grade.
  8. Length of dryer vents exceeds maximum distance allowed and/or vent is not terminated a minimum of twelve inches (12") above finish grade.
  9. Vents on roof are not high enough to overcome backdraft conditions.
  10. House locked.


Mobile/Manufactured Homes

  1. New homes not installed in accordance with manufacturer's setup instructions and/or manufacturer's installation instructions not readily available for inspector at time of inspection
  2. Anchors have not been set within manufacturer's specifications (usually requires anchor head to be set at its full depth or within 2 inches of the ground).
  3. Home is locked and/or is not ready for inspection.
  4. Tie-down band has less than five full wraps around bolt before final tensioning.
  5. Steps not installed at all exit doors
  6. No building permit for decks or landings exceeding 36 square feet
  7. Plumbing fittings not installed in accordance with installation instructions for the manufactured/mobile home or North Carolina State Plumbing Code
  8. Test sites are not properly marked to determine soil-bearing capacity.
  9. Proper grading to prevent standing of water under the home
  10. Electrical permit has not been signed by electrical contractor and left at the home site for the inspector in a conspicuous location.

Plumbing

  1. Job not ready for inspection
  2. Test leaks on drainage system and/or water system
  3. Flat dry vents and crown vents not allowed
  4. Nail plates, where needed for the protection of pipes
  5. House locked
  6. Water has not been turned on for final inspection.
  7. Sewer and/or water connections not left open for final inspection
  8. Seal around all drains and pipes at wall and floor openings
  9. Pop-off valves not piped to a safe location
  10. Proper grade on all drain lines.