Roofing Basics Test Questions with
Correct Answers
What is required under all asphalt shingles? - Answer- Underlayment
When installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, asphalt shingles can be
installed on a roof with a pitch as low as _______. - Answer- 2:12
Small dimples or circular depressions on asphalt shingles are often caused by
_________. - Answer- Hailstones
Most jurisdictions allow no more than _____ layers of asphalt shingles. - Answer- 2
layers
The lowest quality of slate tile has ____________. - Answer- ribboning in it
Concrete and clay tile roofs with a pitch of less than 4:12 require ______ layers of
underlayment. - Answer- 2 layers
Solid tile roofs should not be installed over - Answer- Solid Sheathing
Fasteners made of ___________ are recommended for tile roofs. - Answer- copper or
stainless steel
The enclosure at the eaves' edge of a traditional barrel-style roof is called a _________.
- Answer- bird stop
Asbestos cement roof shingles were commonly installed between the _________. -
Answer- 1930s and 1960s
When reporting on an asbestos cement tile roof, the inspector should ____________. -
Answer- Note the roof material
A wood shingle is _________-cut, whereas a shake is split by ________. - Answer-
machine.... hand
A ______ roof requires an interlayment between courses. - Answer- Shake
, Wood shakes and shingles should be used only on roofs with a pitch of at least _____. -
Answer- 4:12
Rotting or saturated areas of shakes and shingles will appear as _________ patches on
the roof. - Answer- Dark
Wood shakes require a minimum of ________ of separation to allow for expansion and
contraction. - Answer- 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch
Standard roll roofing is ___ inches wide. - Answer- 36 inches wide
For roof slopes from 4:12 and greater, how many layers of underlayment should be
applied in a shingle-like fashion. - Answer- 1 layer of underlayment
Underlayment on a roof slope from 4:12 and greater should start from the _______ and
run _____ with the eaves. - Answer- It should start from the eaves and run parallel to
the eaves.
For roof slopes from 4:12 and greater, how many inches should the underlayment
overlap? - Answer- It should overlap 2 inches
The end-laps of the underlayment should be offset by at least ______ feet. - Answer- 6
feet
In homes located in areas having a history of ice forming along the eaves, an ice barrier
consisting of at least ______ layers of underlayment cemented together is required. -
Answer- Two
An open vent pipe that passes through a roof should extend at least ______ inches
above the roof - Answer- 6 inches
If the roof is used for a purpose other than weather protection, such as a deck that can
be occupied or an observation platform, the vent extensions should extend above the
individuals occupying the roof, at least approximately ______ feet above the roof. -
Answer- 7 feet
If the composition-shingle roof is repaired or replaced each shingle should be held by at
least _____ nails or staples - Answer- 6 nails or staples
If the composition-shingle roof is repaired or replaced what type of underlayment should
be installed beneath the shingles - Answer- Waterproof underlayment
What is the fundamental roofing strategy for steep roofs? - Answer- Rely on gravity and
capillary action to shed water and act more like a series of umbrellas than water tight
skin.
Correct Answers
What is required under all asphalt shingles? - Answer- Underlayment
When installed according to the manufacturer's instructions, asphalt shingles can be
installed on a roof with a pitch as low as _______. - Answer- 2:12
Small dimples or circular depressions on asphalt shingles are often caused by
_________. - Answer- Hailstones
Most jurisdictions allow no more than _____ layers of asphalt shingles. - Answer- 2
layers
The lowest quality of slate tile has ____________. - Answer- ribboning in it
Concrete and clay tile roofs with a pitch of less than 4:12 require ______ layers of
underlayment. - Answer- 2 layers
Solid tile roofs should not be installed over - Answer- Solid Sheathing
Fasteners made of ___________ are recommended for tile roofs. - Answer- copper or
stainless steel
The enclosure at the eaves' edge of a traditional barrel-style roof is called a _________.
- Answer- bird stop
Asbestos cement roof shingles were commonly installed between the _________. -
Answer- 1930s and 1960s
When reporting on an asbestos cement tile roof, the inspector should ____________. -
Answer- Note the roof material
A wood shingle is _________-cut, whereas a shake is split by ________. - Answer-
machine.... hand
A ______ roof requires an interlayment between courses. - Answer- Shake
, Wood shakes and shingles should be used only on roofs with a pitch of at least _____. -
Answer- 4:12
Rotting or saturated areas of shakes and shingles will appear as _________ patches on
the roof. - Answer- Dark
Wood shakes require a minimum of ________ of separation to allow for expansion and
contraction. - Answer- 3/8-inch to 5/8-inch
Standard roll roofing is ___ inches wide. - Answer- 36 inches wide
For roof slopes from 4:12 and greater, how many layers of underlayment should be
applied in a shingle-like fashion. - Answer- 1 layer of underlayment
Underlayment on a roof slope from 4:12 and greater should start from the _______ and
run _____ with the eaves. - Answer- It should start from the eaves and run parallel to
the eaves.
For roof slopes from 4:12 and greater, how many inches should the underlayment
overlap? - Answer- It should overlap 2 inches
The end-laps of the underlayment should be offset by at least ______ feet. - Answer- 6
feet
In homes located in areas having a history of ice forming along the eaves, an ice barrier
consisting of at least ______ layers of underlayment cemented together is required. -
Answer- Two
An open vent pipe that passes through a roof should extend at least ______ inches
above the roof - Answer- 6 inches
If the roof is used for a purpose other than weather protection, such as a deck that can
be occupied or an observation platform, the vent extensions should extend above the
individuals occupying the roof, at least approximately ______ feet above the roof. -
Answer- 7 feet
If the composition-shingle roof is repaired or replaced each shingle should be held by at
least _____ nails or staples - Answer- 6 nails or staples
If the composition-shingle roof is repaired or replaced what type of underlayment should
be installed beneath the shingles - Answer- Waterproof underlayment
What is the fundamental roofing strategy for steep roofs? - Answer- Rely on gravity and
capillary action to shed water and act more like a series of umbrellas than water tight
skin.
