MICHIGAN BUILDERS LICENSE COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Moisture to escape. - ✔✔Housewrap is a special infiltration barrier on the outside
surface of the wall sheathing that is installed before the siding is installed. It's high tech
design prevents air infiltration while still allowing:
✔✔Which is 6 inches of drop over 10 feet. - ✔✔The required slope for the grade around
a home away from the foundation is least 5 % for the first 10 feet.
✔✔6 inches. - ✔✔Exposed insulating material applied to the exterior of foundation walls
shall be protected to a minimum depth of _________ below the finished grade.
✔✔Michigan Uniform Energy Code - ✔✔MUEC
✔✔True. - ✔✔To help keep rain water from the roof from saturating the soil around the
foundation use a less permeable top-soil or a clay cap at grade so water more
effectively moves away from the foundation. T or F
✔✔Conduction, convection and radiation. - ✔✔What are the three methods of heat
transmission?
✔✔Warm side in winter. - ✔✔Where should a vapor barrier be placed on an exterior
wall?
✔✔An indication of a materials ability to reduce heat transmission. - ✔✔What does R-
value represent?
✔✔True. - ✔✔Flashing is required above all window and door openings as well as
above all horizontal projecting trims that do not have ship lap or built-in flashing edges.
T or F
✔✔3 - ✔✔When crawl spaces are naturally ventilated a ventilation opening is required
with ____ feet of each corner.
✔✔R-1 - ✔✔Wood that is one inch in thickness has approximately what R-value?
✔✔True. - ✔✔Homes with uninsulated crawl space foundation walls require insulation
that is in permanent and continuous contact with the underside of the subfloor decking.
T or F
✔✔True. - ✔✔When installing foam board sheathing using adhesives a solvent
adhesive will damage the foam board. T or F
,✔✔True. - ✔✔1/2 inch gypsum board has an R- value of .45, softwood lumber has an
R- value of 1.25 per inch. T or F
✔✔True. - ✔✔Ventilation baffles insure that the required air space below the roof
sheathing isn't obstructed by insulation materials. T ot F
✔✔Paperbacking on batt insulation
Polyethylene sheeting
Closed cell sprayfoam insulation - ✔✔In cold climates like Michigan It's important to
have a vapor retarder on the inside surface of exterior walls behind the finished wall
surface. this can be accomplished with?
✔✔8" - ✔✔When a fireplace lining of firebrick at least 2" in thickness is installed, the
total minimum thickness of the back and side wall is _________________, including the
firebrick.
✔✔1" minimum to 4 1/2" maximum. - ✔✔The air space between brick siding and the
plywood sheathing should be:
✔✔Weep holes. - ✔✔To insure that water moisture is not trapped behind brick veneer,
small holes are made in the joints of the lowest course of bricks. These holes are called:
✔✔Running. - ✔✔Which brick pattern is the strongest?
✔✔2.67 - ✔✔Brick ties should be placed not more than every 2 feet horizontally, and
vertically so that no more than _____ square feet are supported by one tie.
✔✔Lime. - ✔✔What ingredient, when increased in mortar, decreases strength but
increases workability?
✔✔Pilaster - ✔✔A masonry column that is used to support other structural members is
called:
✔✔Fireplace flues should be kept straight as possible, but furnace flue direction can
change within code limitations. - ✔✔When building flues for fireplaces or furnaces:
✔✔Flue. - ✔✔The passageway in a chimney which allows the smoke and fumes to
escape is the:
✔✔Width. - ✔✔A 12" masonry block is referring to what?
✔✔16 plus 2 full corners. - ✔✔How many concrete blocks are needed to lay one course
of 8x8x16 blocks in a wall that is 24 feet long?
,✔✔Key stone. - ✔✔The center stone in the middle of an arch is called?
✔✔Corner leads. - ✔✔When constructing a masonry building using block, the
____________ are laid first.
✔✔3 feet. - ✔✔What is the minimum height of a chimney located at the ridge of a roof?
✔✔Thin set. - ✔✔What is the mortar base used when laying ceramic flooring?
✔✔Add proper amount of sand and mortar. - ✔✔How would you thicken mortar that has
too much water in it?
✔✔Sufficiently braced. - ✔✔Backfill shall not be placed against the wall until the wall
has sufficient strength and has been anchored to the floor above or has been
___________ _____________ to prevent damage.
✔✔water. - ✔✔Mortar is a mixture of lime, Portland cement, sand and
✔✔2-1/2 - ✔✔When the air temperature is above 80F, mortar should be used within
_______ hours after originally mixed.
✔✔True. - ✔✔Masonry units shall be dry before placing. T or F
✔✔3/8" - ✔✔Concrete blocks are ________ shorter in all dimensions (length, width and
height) than the nominal dimensions.
✔✔8' - ✔✔Bracing is required when a masonry wall exceeds ________ while under
construction.
✔✔Add water and thoroughly remix. - ✔✔To retemper mortar that has stiffened:
✔✔3/4" - ✔✔The minimum allowable bed joint for a starting course on a footing is 1/4"
and the maximum allowable is
✔✔3/8" to 1/2" - ✔✔Other than the starting course, horizontal bed joints for masonry
shall be:
✔✔32-3/8" x 40-3/8" - ✔✔Constructing a panel using 8" nominal glass block, with the
block being four blocks wide and five blocks high, what should the size of the opening
be, in order to maintain the bond of the surrounding blocks in the wall?
✔✔7-3/4" x 7-3/4" x 3-7/8" - ✔✔What is the actual size of a nominal 8" square glass
block?
, ✔✔Hydraulic cement - ✔✔What product is a non-corrosive, non-rusting and non-
shrinking material that is best used to seal cracks in masonry and concrete?
✔✔Diamond tip blade. - ✔✔What blade would you use to cut brick with?
✔✔1-1/2 - ✔✔Grout shall not be used after _______ hours after originally mixed.
✔✔Prior to mixing, heat sand and water to produce mortar above 40 degrees - ✔✔In
cold weather, to prevent mortar from freezing
✔✔Closure block - ✔✔The block which fills the final gap in a course between corners is
called the:
✔✔Bed joints - ✔✔In constructing a stack bond joint, #9 gage steel reinforcement is
required in every other course. The joint reinforcement is placed horizontally in the:
✔✔3/8" - ✔✔Bed joints are horizontal joints. The first course of bed joints can't be less
than 1/4" or more than 3/4". Ideally, all joints should be:
✔✔9 gauge wire - ✔✔Wall ties are either #22 gauge galvanized sheet metal or:
✔✔8" - ✔✔Masonry walls for fireplaces shall not be less than __________ in thickness
where a firebrick lining is used.
✔✔20" - ✔✔The firebox shall not be less than ___________ in depth.
✔✔1/4" - ✔✔Joints in fire brick shall not exceed:
✔✔hearth - ✔✔The fireplace ____________________ shall be composed of brick,
concrete, stone or other approved noncombustible materials and not be less than 4"
thick.
✔✔8" - ✔✔The throat in the fireplace shall not be less than ___________ above the
fireplace opening and shall not be less than 4" in depth.
✔✔muriatic acid - ✔✔Mix 15 parts water to one part ________________________ to
remove efflorescence and excess mortar from the face of brick that has recently been
laid.
✔✔True. - ✔✔Mortar bearing surfaces of glass block have rough edges to form a good
bond with mortar. T or F
✔✔raking - ✔✔Removing fresh mortar from a fresh joint is called:
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Moisture to escape. - ✔✔Housewrap is a special infiltration barrier on the outside
surface of the wall sheathing that is installed before the siding is installed. It's high tech
design prevents air infiltration while still allowing:
✔✔Which is 6 inches of drop over 10 feet. - ✔✔The required slope for the grade around
a home away from the foundation is least 5 % for the first 10 feet.
✔✔6 inches. - ✔✔Exposed insulating material applied to the exterior of foundation walls
shall be protected to a minimum depth of _________ below the finished grade.
✔✔Michigan Uniform Energy Code - ✔✔MUEC
✔✔True. - ✔✔To help keep rain water from the roof from saturating the soil around the
foundation use a less permeable top-soil or a clay cap at grade so water more
effectively moves away from the foundation. T or F
✔✔Conduction, convection and radiation. - ✔✔What are the three methods of heat
transmission?
✔✔Warm side in winter. - ✔✔Where should a vapor barrier be placed on an exterior
wall?
✔✔An indication of a materials ability to reduce heat transmission. - ✔✔What does R-
value represent?
✔✔True. - ✔✔Flashing is required above all window and door openings as well as
above all horizontal projecting trims that do not have ship lap or built-in flashing edges.
T or F
✔✔3 - ✔✔When crawl spaces are naturally ventilated a ventilation opening is required
with ____ feet of each corner.
✔✔R-1 - ✔✔Wood that is one inch in thickness has approximately what R-value?
✔✔True. - ✔✔Homes with uninsulated crawl space foundation walls require insulation
that is in permanent and continuous contact with the underside of the subfloor decking.
T or F
✔✔True. - ✔✔When installing foam board sheathing using adhesives a solvent
adhesive will damage the foam board. T or F
,✔✔True. - ✔✔1/2 inch gypsum board has an R- value of .45, softwood lumber has an
R- value of 1.25 per inch. T or F
✔✔True. - ✔✔Ventilation baffles insure that the required air space below the roof
sheathing isn't obstructed by insulation materials. T ot F
✔✔Paperbacking on batt insulation
Polyethylene sheeting
Closed cell sprayfoam insulation - ✔✔In cold climates like Michigan It's important to
have a vapor retarder on the inside surface of exterior walls behind the finished wall
surface. this can be accomplished with?
✔✔8" - ✔✔When a fireplace lining of firebrick at least 2" in thickness is installed, the
total minimum thickness of the back and side wall is _________________, including the
firebrick.
✔✔1" minimum to 4 1/2" maximum. - ✔✔The air space between brick siding and the
plywood sheathing should be:
✔✔Weep holes. - ✔✔To insure that water moisture is not trapped behind brick veneer,
small holes are made in the joints of the lowest course of bricks. These holes are called:
✔✔Running. - ✔✔Which brick pattern is the strongest?
✔✔2.67 - ✔✔Brick ties should be placed not more than every 2 feet horizontally, and
vertically so that no more than _____ square feet are supported by one tie.
✔✔Lime. - ✔✔What ingredient, when increased in mortar, decreases strength but
increases workability?
✔✔Pilaster - ✔✔A masonry column that is used to support other structural members is
called:
✔✔Fireplace flues should be kept straight as possible, but furnace flue direction can
change within code limitations. - ✔✔When building flues for fireplaces or furnaces:
✔✔Flue. - ✔✔The passageway in a chimney which allows the smoke and fumes to
escape is the:
✔✔Width. - ✔✔A 12" masonry block is referring to what?
✔✔16 plus 2 full corners. - ✔✔How many concrete blocks are needed to lay one course
of 8x8x16 blocks in a wall that is 24 feet long?
,✔✔Key stone. - ✔✔The center stone in the middle of an arch is called?
✔✔Corner leads. - ✔✔When constructing a masonry building using block, the
____________ are laid first.
✔✔3 feet. - ✔✔What is the minimum height of a chimney located at the ridge of a roof?
✔✔Thin set. - ✔✔What is the mortar base used when laying ceramic flooring?
✔✔Add proper amount of sand and mortar. - ✔✔How would you thicken mortar that has
too much water in it?
✔✔Sufficiently braced. - ✔✔Backfill shall not be placed against the wall until the wall
has sufficient strength and has been anchored to the floor above or has been
___________ _____________ to prevent damage.
✔✔water. - ✔✔Mortar is a mixture of lime, Portland cement, sand and
✔✔2-1/2 - ✔✔When the air temperature is above 80F, mortar should be used within
_______ hours after originally mixed.
✔✔True. - ✔✔Masonry units shall be dry before placing. T or F
✔✔3/8" - ✔✔Concrete blocks are ________ shorter in all dimensions (length, width and
height) than the nominal dimensions.
✔✔8' - ✔✔Bracing is required when a masonry wall exceeds ________ while under
construction.
✔✔Add water and thoroughly remix. - ✔✔To retemper mortar that has stiffened:
✔✔3/4" - ✔✔The minimum allowable bed joint for a starting course on a footing is 1/4"
and the maximum allowable is
✔✔3/8" to 1/2" - ✔✔Other than the starting course, horizontal bed joints for masonry
shall be:
✔✔32-3/8" x 40-3/8" - ✔✔Constructing a panel using 8" nominal glass block, with the
block being four blocks wide and five blocks high, what should the size of the opening
be, in order to maintain the bond of the surrounding blocks in the wall?
✔✔7-3/4" x 7-3/4" x 3-7/8" - ✔✔What is the actual size of a nominal 8" square glass
block?
, ✔✔Hydraulic cement - ✔✔What product is a non-corrosive, non-rusting and non-
shrinking material that is best used to seal cracks in masonry and concrete?
✔✔Diamond tip blade. - ✔✔What blade would you use to cut brick with?
✔✔1-1/2 - ✔✔Grout shall not be used after _______ hours after originally mixed.
✔✔Prior to mixing, heat sand and water to produce mortar above 40 degrees - ✔✔In
cold weather, to prevent mortar from freezing
✔✔Closure block - ✔✔The block which fills the final gap in a course between corners is
called the:
✔✔Bed joints - ✔✔In constructing a stack bond joint, #9 gage steel reinforcement is
required in every other course. The joint reinforcement is placed horizontally in the:
✔✔3/8" - ✔✔Bed joints are horizontal joints. The first course of bed joints can't be less
than 1/4" or more than 3/4". Ideally, all joints should be:
✔✔9 gauge wire - ✔✔Wall ties are either #22 gauge galvanized sheet metal or:
✔✔8" - ✔✔Masonry walls for fireplaces shall not be less than __________ in thickness
where a firebrick lining is used.
✔✔20" - ✔✔The firebox shall not be less than ___________ in depth.
✔✔1/4" - ✔✔Joints in fire brick shall not exceed:
✔✔hearth - ✔✔The fireplace ____________________ shall be composed of brick,
concrete, stone or other approved noncombustible materials and not be less than 4"
thick.
✔✔8" - ✔✔The throat in the fireplace shall not be less than ___________ above the
fireplace opening and shall not be less than 4" in depth.
✔✔muriatic acid - ✔✔Mix 15 parts water to one part ________________________ to
remove efflorescence and excess mortar from the face of brick that has recently been
laid.
✔✔True. - ✔✔Mortar bearing surfaces of glass block have rough edges to form a good
bond with mortar. T or F
✔✔raking - ✔✔Removing fresh mortar from a fresh joint is called:
