Air sealing is imperative. The connection between concrete foundations and wood framing is a place prone to air leaks and moisture problems. Wood is often warped, and concrete is rarely flat. There are at least three places for air to leak in and probably a lot more. Leaky connections can mean energy, moisture, comfort, and IAQ problems. Extending the wall sheathing past these connections is a good first step whenever practical. Caulks, adhesives, spray foam, and gaskets can seal them up tightly.

Unless you live in the desert, the ground is always wet; and that ground water is always pushing its way in. Footing drains can carry away bulk groundwater, but foundations also have to disrupt capillarity. Water in the soil will wick all the way up to the roof framing if you let it. Capillary breaks such as brush-on damp-proofing, sill sealer, and rigid insulation block this process. A foundation is a bad place to cut corners because problems are expensive and complicated to fix after a house is finished.

The simplest way to ensure that all elements of your air barrier system connect up is to take a footing-to-ridge cross section drawing of your building and connect the air barrier from the footing to the ridge without lifting your pencil or cursor. Typically, the tough spots will be transitions from one assembly to another (for example foundation to above-grade wall) and penetrations like windows and dormers. These details are a part of that process, keeping the pencil or cursor flowing from footing to ridge (or top floor ceiling).