Exteriors

The most rot-resistant wood retaining wall would be made of

Explanation The answer is PRESERVED WOOD FOUNDATION PRESSURE TREATING. Preserved wood foundation pressure treating is quite effective and would form the most rot-resistant wood retaining wall. If we had our choice, we wouldn't use wood for retaining walls, but wood is popular because it fits into landscaping and is relatively inexpensive.

A common slope for a gutter is

The answer is 1 IN 200. A gutter slope of 1 in 200 is typical.

Joists should have an end bearing of at least

The answer is 1½ INCHES. Joists should have an end bearing of at least 1½ inches.

Beams rely on at least how many inches of bearing on concrete or masonry?

The answer is 3. Beams typically require at least 3 inches of end bearing on concrete or masonry.

Gabion is

The answer is A GRAVITY RETAINING WALL. Gabion is a gravity retaining wall.

Basement window wells should have drains unless

The answer is A PLASTIC COVER IS PROVIDED OVER THE WELL. Basement window wells should have drains, unless a plastic cover is provided over the well.

A swale is

The answer is A SHALLOW DRAINAGE DITCH. A swale is a shallow drainage ditch.

Vines on exterior walls

The answer is ARE A BIGGER PROBLEM ON WOOD SIDING THAN MASONRY. Vines are more likely to damage wood siding than masonry.

Deadmen are

The answer is ARE CONNECTED TO TIEBACKS. Deadmen are connected to tiebacks in retaining walls

Wood shakes are

The answer is ARE TYPICALLY 18 OR 24 INCHES LONG. Wood shakes typically are 18 or 24 inches long, although 32 inch lengths sometimes are available.

Where is rot most likely to occur in deck and porch floors?

The answer is AT HORIZONTAL JOINTS WITH END GRAIN. Rot is most likely to occur in deck and porch floors at horizontal joints with end grain.

All of the following are common surface water drainage problems except A) porous soil. B) improper ground surface slope. C) basement windows without wells. D) clogged catch basins.

The answer is BASEMENT WINDOWS WITHOUT WELLS. Basement windows without wells are not necessarily a grading problem. The basement windows may be above grade level.

A man door between the house and garage should

The answer is BE WEATHERSTRIPPED. A man door between the house and garage should be weatherstripped.

Drains should be provided outside the vehicle door in garages that are

The answer is BELOW GRADE, WHERE THE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWN TOWARD THE GARAGE. Drains should be located outside the garage door if the driveway slopes down toward the garage.

Common problems with clay or slate shingles include all of the following except A) broken. B) missing. C) loose. D) buckled.

The answer is BUCKLED. Clay and slate will not buckle.

Housewraps replace

The answer is BUILDING PAPER. Housewraps replace building paper.

Common soffit and fascia problems include all of the following except A) loose or missing pieces. B) mechanical damage. C) burn-through due to ultraviolet light. D) rot.

The answer is BURN-THROUGH DUE TO ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT. Burn-through is not a common problem on soffit or fascia.

Home inspectors typically check the exterior grading

The answer is BY VISUAL EXAMINATION ONLY. Home inspectors normally use a visual examination to check the exterior grading.

Skirting can obstruct

The answer is CAN OBSTRUCT VENTILATION. Skirting can obstruct ventilation of the area below the porch. The best skirting is a latticework or some other material that will let air move relatively freely.

Typical problems with steps and landings include all of the following except A) rise, run, and slope. B) cantilevered beams. C) settlement. D) spalling mortar/masonry units.

The answer is CANTILEVERED BEAMS. Cantilevered beams are not a typical problem with steps and landings.

All of the following are types of retaining walls except A) tied back. B) cantilevered. C) pile. D) cavity.

The answer is CAVITY. A cavity wall is not typically a retaining wall.

Poor materials for porch floors include all of the following except A) oriented strandboard (osb). B) hardboard. C) cedar. D) plywood.

The answer is CEDAR. Cedar is a good material for a porch floor, although it is not as strong as some other softwoods.

Common beam problems on porches include all of the following except A) wood/soil contact. B) sag. C) checking. D) poor end support.

The answer is CHECKING. Checking is a normal condition on wood beams and is not usually a problem.

Common gutter problems include all of the following except A) leaking. B) undersized. C) loose. D) connected to two downspouts.

The answer is CONNECTED TO TWO DOWNSPOUTS. It's acceptable for gutters to be connected to two downspouts.

All of the following are common problems with walks and driveways except A) control joints. B) cracked surfaces. C) improper slope. D) uneven surfaces.

The answer is CONTROL JOINTS. Control joints are not a problem in walks and driveways. They are a desirable feature.

Common materials for walks and driveways include all of the following except A) cork. B) asphalt. C) concrete. D) brick.

The answer is CORK. Cork is not a common material for a walk or a driveway.

The following are common problems with overhead sectional vehicle doors in garages except A) counterweights. B) operability. C) automatic opener problems. D) rot/rust.

The answer is COUNTERWEIGHTS. Counterweights are not problems on sectional doors. They are typical.

All of the following statements are true of structural garage floors except A) structural garage floors should not be inspected for design adequacy as part of a home inspection. B) cracks in structural garage floors indicate structural failure. C) structural garage floors may need inspection by a specialist. D) much of the strength in suspended concrete garage floors is derived from the steel reinforcement in the concrete.

The answer is CRACKS IN STRUCTURAL GARAGE FLOORS INDICATE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. Cracks in structural garage floors do not necessarily indicate structural failure. Much of the strength in the floor system is derived from the steel reinforcement.

All of the following are common downspout problems except A) missing. B) leaking. C) discharging onto the ground. D) too few.

The answer is DISCHARGING ONTO THE GROUND. Downspouts that discharge onto the ground are the arrangement preferred by most inspectors.

Carports do not have?

The answer is DO NOT HAVE VEHICLE DOORS. Carports typically do not have vehicle doors.

Common problems with hardboard include all of the following except A) delamination. B) swelling. C) buckling. D) efflorescence.

The answer is EFFLORESCENCE. Efflorescence is not a problem with hardboard.

The implications of trees or shrubs too close to a house include all of the following except A) mechanical damage to the house. B) excess soil moisture adjacent to the house. C) reduced drying potential of siding. D) roots blocking or collapsing sewer pipes.

The answer is EXCESS SOIL MOISTURE ADJACENT TO THE HOUSE. Having trees or shrubs too close to a house doesn't usually create excess moisture in the soil adjacent to the house.

Which of the following homes is most likely to have concealed damage behind the EIFS? A home

The answer is EXPOSED TO STRONG WINDS. A house exposed to strong winds will be susceptible to moisture penetration by wind driven rain. The other items in this question are either dry climates or details that tend to protect against damage.

What are the implications of improper lot grading?

The answer is FOUNDATION DAMAGE. Foundation damage is one of the implications of improper lot grading.

All of the following statements about retaining wall drainage are true except one. Identify the false statement. A) Tied-back walls do not usually require drain holes. B) Drainage is important. C) Good draining soils such as clay should be used behind retaining walls. D) A weeping tile or drainage holes are often recommended.

The answer is GOOD DRAINING SOILS SUCH AS CLAY SHOULD BE USED BEHIND RETAINING WALLS. Clay is not a good draining soil.

The floor of a window well should be

The answer is GRAVEL. The floor of the window well should be gravel or some other porous material.

Integral gutters are

The answer is GUTTERS BUILT IN TO THE ROOFLINE. Integral gutters are built into the roofline of the house.

All of the following are siding materials except A) stucco. B) steel. C) housewrap. D) concrete block.

The answer is HOUSEWRAP. Housewrap is an air barrier, not a siding material.

When inspecting porch roofs, you should be checking for all of the following except A) rot and loose connection points to the building. B) insulation in the ceiling. C) evidence of water damage on the underside. D) sagging beams.

The answer is INSULATION IN THE CEILING. Insulation is not usually an issue with porch roofs since both sides of the porch roof are cold.

Efflorescence

The answer is IS ASSOCIATED WITH WATER MOVING THROUGH MASONRY WALLS. Efflorescence is a result of water moving through masonry or concrete walls.

Stucco is

The answer is IS BASICALLY CEMENT, AGGREGATE, AND WATER. Stucco is cement, aggregate, and water.

Clay tile siding is

The answer is IS BRITTLE. Clay tile siding is brittle.

Fiber-cement siding is

The answer is IS BRITTLE. Fiber cement siding is brittle.

Metal siding is prone to?

The answer is IS PRONE TO THERMAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION. Metal siding is prone to thermal expansion and contraction.

Why is a 2×6 on edge considered a poor handrail?

The answer is IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO GRAB. A 2×6 on edge does not make a great handrail because it can be difficult to grab. You can't wrap your hand around it; you can only drape your hand over the top of it.

Cedar is not a good choice for cantilevered balconies because

The answer is IT IS NOT VERY STRONG. Cedar is not a very strong wood.

Common problems found with trim, flashings, and caulking include all of the following except A) loose. B) missing flashings or caulking. C) kickout flashings on roof/wall intersections. D) rust or rot.

The answer is KICKOUT FLASHINGS ON ROOF/WALL INTERSECTIONS. Kickout flashings are not a problem. They are a good thing.

Fireproofing in attached garages may require

The answer is MAY REQUIRE A ONE-HOUR FIRE RATING. Fireproofing in attached garages may require a one-hour fire rating.

The most common problem with fiber-cement siding is

The answer is MECHANICAL DAMAGE. Mechanical damage is the most common problem with fiber-cement siding.

An EIFS assembly may consist of all of the following except

The answer is METAL LATH. EIFS does not use metal lath. It uses all of the other components listed here.

Common problems with metal and vinyl siding include all of the following except A) nails not driven tight. B) metal siding not grounded. C) buckled or wavy. D) mechanical damage.

The answer is NAILS NOT DRIVEN TIGHT. Nails should not be driven tight with metal and vinyl siding. We need to allow the siding to move under the nails.

Common problems with patios include all of the following except A) no railings. B) slopes that drain water toward the house. C) trip hazards. D) uneven surfaces.

The answer is NO RAILINGS. Patios usually do not require railings since they typically are at grade level.

The cantilevered portion of joists should be no more than

The answer is ONE-THIRD THE ENTIRE JOIST LENGTH. The cantilevered portion of joists should be no more than one-third of the joist length.

Exterior columns typically support all of the following except A) carports. B) porch floors. C) patios. D) decks.

The answer is PATIOS. Patios typically rest directly on the ground and do not need column support.

Plastic grid-type foundation drainage material relies on what other building component for successful performance?

The answer is PERIMETER DRAINAGE TILE. Foundation drainage material relies on a good perimeter drainage tile system to carry the water away.

Downspouts running across roof surfaces protect?

The answer is PROTECT THE ROOF FROM ROOF OR GUTTER DISCHARGE FROM A HIGHER ROOF. Downspouts running across a roof surface are a good thing. They protect the roof from water runoff from roofs or gutters above.

Which of the following is false? Exterior cladding is intended to A) protect the structure from water damage. B) protect the interior from water damage. C) provide reasonable security. D) provide insulation.

The answer is PROVIDE INSULATION. Exterior cladding does not usually insulate the home.

Generally speaking, guardrails are

The answer is REQUIRED ON ANY DECKS, PORCHES, OR BALCONIES 2 FEET OR 30 INCHES ABOVE GRADE. Guardrails are needed on decks, porches, or balconies that are 2 feet or 30 inches above grade, depending on the jurisdiction that you live in. Guardrails are not the same as handrails, which are needed on stairs leading to any balcony.

Elements of a well-constructed garage floor (slab-on-grade type) include all of the following except A) well compacted backfill placed in the trenches around the garage foundation. B) a free-draining granular base below the concrete. C) rigid foam insulation under the concrete floor slab. D) adequate slope toward the vehicle door.

The answer is RIGID FOAM INSULATION UNDER THE CONCRETE FLOOR SLAB. Foam insulation is not a necessary element in a well constructed garage floor slab.

Common problems with asphalt shingles include all of the following except A) torn. B) rotted. C) missing. D) loose tabs.

The answer is ROTTED. Rotted asphalt shingles is not a common problem.

Scanning a porch with your eye at floor level is a good way to check for

The answer is SAG. Scanning along a porch at floor level is a good way to check for sag in the porch.

Landings at the top of steps should be

The answer is SHOULD BE LARGE ENOUGH TO OPEN THE DOOR WITHOUT HAVING THE STEP DOWN OFF THE LANDING. Good building practice dictates that someone coming up the steps should not be knocked down by someone opening the door from inside.

OSB siding should stop

The answer is SHOULD STOP ONE TO TWO INCHES ABOVE ROOF SURFACES. OSB siding should stop an inch or two above a roof surface.

Common door and window problems include all of the following except A) paint or stain needed. B) damage. C) sills sloping down away from the window. D) rot.

The answer is SILLS SLOPING DOWN AWAY FROM THE WINDOW. Sills should slope down away from the window.

Problems with window well drains include all of the following except A) six inches below the window. B) not connected. C) missing. D) obstructed with debris.

The answer is SIX INCHES BELOW THE WINDOW. A drain that is six inches below the window is a good arrangement in a window well.

A common recommendation for lot grading is

The answer is SIX INCHES FOR THE FIRST TEN FEET. For lot grading, a slope of six inches for the first ten feet is a common recommendation. Home inspectors usually do not measure these slopes. As a rough guide, you should look for a slope that is visible to the eye.

Draping of concrete garage floors is usually caused by

The answer is SLAB SETTLEMENT AT PERIMETER. Draping of concrete floors in garages usually is caused by settlement of the slab around the perimeter, which in turn is caused by settlement of the backfill along the foundations.

You are looking at a two-story masonry building. You notice large metal plates on the front and back walls of the home about every four feet across the walls, at approximately the second-story floor level. These are

The answer is STABILIZING A BOWED WALL. These plates are typically holding a bowed wall together. They usually attached to cables or rods that go right through the building.

A properly operating "auto-reverse" feature should

The answer is STOP AND REVERSE IF AN OBSTRUCTION IS SENSED ON THE WAY DOWN. The auto-reverse mechanism on a garage door opener should cause the door to stop and reverse if an obstruction is sensed on the way down.

What would you do if you saw metal ductwork from a forced-air heating system for the house passing through a garage?

The answer is SUGGEST THAT IT BE INSULATED TO THE LEVEL REQUIRED IN THE AREA. Metal ductwork from a forced-air heating system passing through a garage should be insulated.

Why is carpeting on wood porches considered to be a problem?

The answer is THE CARPET CAN TRAP WATER NEXT TO THE WOOD, PROMOTING ROT. The carpet can trap water next to the wood on the porch, promoting rot.

All of the following are true with EIFS except A) a fiberglass mesh replaces wire lath. B) it is typically a two-coat process. C) the finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco. D) it is typically applied directly to a polystyrene insulation board.

The answer is THE FINISH COAT IS THICKER THAN WITH TRADITIONAL STUCCO. The finish coat on EIFS is thinner than with traditional stucco.

All of the following are common problems with window wells except A) a window well is missing. B) the well walls are damaged. C) the floor of the well is 12 inches below the window. D) the well walls are rusted.

The answer is THE FLOOR OF THE WELL IS 12 INCHES BELOW THE WINDOW. It's acceptable if the bottom of the well is 12 inches below the window.

Which of the following is the worst case situation? A) The top of the foundation wall is at grade. B) The top of the foundation wall is 16 inches above grade. C) The top of the foundation wall is three inches below grade. D) The top three inches of the foundation wall is covered by siding.

The answer is THE TOP OF THE FOUNDATION WALL IS THREE INCHES BELOW GRADE. Foundation walls below grade are extremely vulnerable.

All of the following are common retaining wall problems except A) rot or insect damage. B) no drainage system. C) the use of shoring. D) leaning.

The answer is THE USE OF SHORING. The use of shoring is not a retaining wall problem.

Which of the following statements about masonry walls is false? A) They usually require a foundation. B) They may be damaged by abrasive cleaning. C) They are water repellant. D) They may or may not be load bearing

The answer is THEY ARE WATER REPELLANT. Masonry walls are not water repellant. Water in a driving rain will go through brick.

Common problems with any exterior cladding include all of the following except A) water penetration. B) too close to grade. C) too close to window openings. D) planters against the wall.

The answer is TOO CLOSE TO WINDOW OPENINGS. Siding being close to window openings is not a problem.

The most important implication of cracked or broken walkways is

The answer is TRIP HAZARD. Cracked or broken walkways can be trip hazards.

Stucco will often have

The answer is WILL OFTEN HAVE A DRIP SCREED AT THE BOTTOM. Stucco often has a drip screed at the bottom of the wall.

Wood siding will wick moisture through?

The answer is WILL WICK MOISTURE THROUGH END GRAINS. Wood siding will wick moisture through end grains.

All of the following are flat roof drainage systems except A) galvanized steel gutters. B) yankee gutters. C) interior drains. D) scuppers.

The answer is YANKEE GUTTERS. Yankee gutters would not be used on a flat roof.

Wood below 40°F is vulnerable to rot. true false

false The answer is WOOD BELOW 40°F IS VULNERABLE TO ROT. Wood below 40°F is not vulnerable to rot.