I Passed the Inspection! (Mostly)

I am feeling relieved right now.  The city building inspector just left and I am wearing a smile because I passed the inspection!  Well, I mostly passed the inspection.  I have a couple of items I need to add/fix, and then I can move on.

First of all I need to add Boca Plates to the few areas where the PVC drain and copper water supply lines pass through the framing.  Honestly, I figured he might ding me on that one.  I just wasn't sure if I also needed them on the places where the electrical lines pass through.  Fortunately, the code says that as long as the wires or pipes are 1.5 inches deep, no plate is needed. So, I only need to buy a few plates.

The second thing I need to add are fire blocking at the points where my drop ceiling meets the walls.  Once again, I thought he might ding me for this.  I recently learned about fire blocking at a very helpful basement finishing website (http://www.ifinishedmybasement.com/framing-basement/fire-block).  While I didn't fully understand how to apply it to my situation, I did learn from the article that if the inspector mentions it, I shouldn't give him the deer-in-the-headlights stare of confusion.  Rather, I acknowledged it and asked the inspector where all I needed them.  Luckily, I only need them along a couple of walls.

Finally, (and on this one I feel a little embarrassed...I should have done my research).  I didn't know that I was supposed to use treated wood on the bottom plates of the wall framing.  Luckily, I will not be required to rip it all up, but merely need to seal those board with some kind of wood sealer.

So, give me a couple of hours some night, and I will be ready for drywall.

The next inspection?  I will need to install the shower pan, install the wall treatment behind the tile (Hardi-Backer) and then call for another inspection.  They just want to make sure that I am not putting drywall behind the tile in the shower.

Finally, the inspector told me that the one year deadline is not absolute, but that as long as I stay in constant communication with their office, I will be fine.  I will pretend I did not hear that, though, as I generally need hard deadlines to get me motivated.

Here we go!