Checklists by trade
3 lists · 9 items · 14 photosUnder-slab vapor retarder inspection checklists
Under-slab vapor retarder inspection checklists for the rough-in, pre-pour and final walks: 3 free lists, 9 items and 14 photo requirements, each item naming what to look for and the photo that proves it.
The under-slab vapor retarder walks, in build order
Under-slab vapor retarder Rough-in· Under-slab vapor retarderUnder-slab vapor retarder rough-in inspection checklistSubgrade fine-graded, compacted and clear of sharp debris so the vapor retarder can lie flat without being punctured3 items4 photosUnder-slab vapor retarder Pre-pour· Under-slab vapor retarderUnder-slab vapor retarder pre-pour inspection checklistThe last look before concrete: vapor retarder continuous, laps sealed, penetrations boot-sealed and the sheet tied in at the edge3 items6 photosUnder-slab vapor retarder Final· Under-slab vapor retarderUnder-slab vapor retarder final inspection checklistAfter the pour, the slab edge and penetrations confirmed intact where the retarder tie-in is still visible or documented3 items4 photos
Where each walk sits in the schedule
- Under-slab vapor retarder rough-in inspection checklistrough-in
- After the base is placed and compacted, before the vapor retarder is laid down and before any reinforcing is set on top of it. Run by: The sitework or concrete crew preparing the subgrade, or the GC's superintendent walking the pad before the retarder is rolled out.
- Under-slab vapor retarder pre-pour inspection checklistpre-pour
- After the retarder is laid, lapped and reinforcing is set, immediately before concrete is placed — the last moment the sheet is visible. Run by: The concrete foreman placing the retarder with the GC's superintendent, at the hold point right before the pour is released.
- Under-slab vapor retarder final inspection checklistfinal
- After the slab is placed and forms are stripped, before floor finishes cover the slab edge and turn-up. Run by: The concrete foreman with the GC's superintendent, confirming the edge condition after strip and before the floor finish goes on.
What most often sends under-slab vapor retarder work back
- Sharp rock, rebar chairs or construction debris left on the subgrade that punches through the sheet the moment a crew walks the pad.
- Base left soft or uneven in spots, so the retarder bridges a void and tears when the slab and crews load it.
- Grade run high or low against the slab edge, so the retarder ends up trimmed short of where it needs to turn up and tie in.
- Laps left loose or short so the seam opens under crews and vibration and the barrier is no longer continuous under the slab.
- Pipe and conduit penetrations left with the sheet cut open and no boot or seal, an open hole in the barrier at every stub-up.
- The retarder torn during rebar and crew traffic and never patched, so the pour buries an unrepaired hole nobody can reach again.
- The sheet turn-up trimmed flush or torn away at the edge during strip, breaking the tie-in that was sound before the pour.
- Penetration seals disturbed by post-pour trades, leaving a gap around a stub-up that the finish floor will sit over.
Common questions
- Which under-slab vapor retarder inspections do these checklists cover?
- Under-slab vapor retarder rough-in inspection checklist (rough-in): After the base is placed and compacted, before the vapor retarder is laid down and before any reinforcing is set on top of it. Under-slab vapor retarder pre-pour inspection checklist (pre-pour): After the retarder is laid, lapped and reinforcing is set, immediately before concrete is placed — the last moment the sheet is visible. Under-slab vapor retarder final inspection checklist (final): After the slab is placed and forms are stripped, before floor finishes cover the slab edge and turn-up.
- Who runs an under-slab vapor retarder inspection?
- The sitework or concrete crew preparing the subgrade, or the GC's superintendent walking the pad before the retarder is rolled out. The concrete foreman placing the retarder with the GC's superintendent, at the hold point right before the pour is released. The concrete foreman with the GC's superintendent, confirming the edge condition after strip and before the floor finish goes on.
- What most often sends under-slab vapor retarder work back?
- Sharp rock, rebar chairs or construction debris left on the subgrade that punches through the sheet the moment a crew walks the pad. Base left soft or uneven in spots, so the retarder bridges a void and tears when the slab and crews load it. Grade run high or low against the slab edge, so the retarder ends up trimmed short of where it needs to turn up and tie in. Laps left loose or short so the seam opens under crews and vibration and the barrier is no longer continuous under the slab.
- Can I run these checklists in RTI?
- Yes. Start a free RTI workspace and load any of the 3 lists (9 items in total). The Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached, and approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper-evident audit trail.