Champions School Home Inspection
questions and answers
How are the holes in rigid foundation drain pipe aligned?
(a) Toward the foundation
(b) On the top half of the pipe(
c) On the bottom half of the pipe
(d) Away from the foundation ✔✔c) On the bottom half of the pipe
Where might you expect to find a window with safety glass:
(a) Less than 18 inches above the floor
(b) Less than 24 inches above the floor
(c) Above a kitchen sink
(d) On the second story ✔✔(a) Less than 18 inches above the floorWhich statement is
true?
(a) Increasing the insulation makes the attic warmer.
(b) If the attic is cold, then warm, moist air leaking into the attic from the house will
condense more quickly.
(c) If you increase the insulation level in a roof, you should decrease the ventilation.
(d) The insulation and ventilation cannot affect the structure of a roof. ✔✔?
Four reasons why written reports are needed. ✔✔1.The Standards require it
2.To help the client
3.To control your liability
4.Marketing tool
Two time options for report delivery. ✔✔1.On site reports
2.Reports sent after the inspection
Three general types of report formats. ✔✔1.Checklist
2.Narrative
3.Combination
Ten common components of the body of the report ✔✔1.Scope/contract
2.Descriptions
3.Conditions or evaluations
4.Causes of conditions
5.Implications of conditions
6.Recommended actions
7.Limitations
8.Life expectancy
9.Priorities
,10.Ballpark costs
Three main functions of exterior cladding: ✔✔1.Protect the structure from water;
2.Provide reasonable security;
3.Enhance the appearance of the home
What is efflorescence and what causes it: ✔✔Efflorescence is a whitish powdery salt
deposit that is associated with water moving through masonry. Water dissolves the salts
from masonry or mortar and deposits them on the surface as crystals when evaporating
Stucco is made up of ✔✔cement, aggregate and water
Stucco is similar to plaster, which is used on the inside of buildings. ✔✔
Six common problems with caulking, trim and flashings: ✔✔1.Missing flashings;
2.Ineffective or incomplete flashings;
3.Loose;
4.Rust;
5.Rot;
6.Caulking missing or ineffective
Three mechanisms by which water may get into wall systems from the building exterior
✔✔1.Rain driven by wind;
2.Rain running down the wall (gravity);
3.Water wicking into the wall (capillary action)
In evaluating exterior trim and flashings, you'll have to use some common sense.
Picture water running down the walls and you should be able to predict whether a given
detail is likely to be successful or not. Remember that areas that catch water or allow it
into wall sys-tems can cause considerable concealed damage.One of the trickiest
aspects of inspecting exterior flashings is that you can't see most of what you'd like to
see. In some cases, you can't even tell whether a flashing is in place. Most of the time
you have to settle for looking for evidence of nonperformance of flashings. In some
cases, what seems like an obvious entrance point is protected by a concealed flashing
and really isn't a problem. In other cases, details that look good are leakage points.The
conclusive evidence is water damage around and below the flashing, visible on the sid-
ing, the interior finishes, or the building skeleton. Since there ✔✔
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies ✔✔more than 24 or 30
inches above grade.
A single handrail is adequate for stairs up to ✔✔44 inches wide
The openings between railing spindles should not be greater than ✔✔4 3/8
,Why you shouldn't align a beam with a gutter to check for sag: ✔✔Gutters slope so they
always look off level
Installing joists with hangers is considered superior to toe-nailing them to beams
because: ✔✔There is more protection against uplift and twisting with a joist hanger
The proper way to flash a ledgerboard installed over siding: ✔✔Flashing extends from
under the siding, over the top of the ledgerboard, and down
Deck boards often rot first ✔✔Where the joists penetrate the wall
There should be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage
because: ✔✔To prevent fumes from entering the house.
A good concrete garage floor slab is usually ✔✔at least 3 inches thick and has 5 inches
of gravel beneath it.
Bad grading will always cause wet basements. T/F ? ✔✔False
Sloped roofs are not waterproof because: ✔✔They are designed to shed water like a
series of umbrel-las. They are not designed to control standing water.
A minor leak can be more of a problem than a major one because: ✔✔A minor roof leak
may cause considerable damage before it is noticed
The sides of a roof that will wear faster in climates where ultraviolet light is the main
aging factor are ✔✔South and west
Anything that restricts the drainage of water is a vulnerable area. Examples are: Wide
chim-neys near the lower edge of the roof; Chimneys in valleys; Skylights; Drains from
upper roofs discharging onto lower roof; Changes in material; Equipment that obstructs
drainage; Com-plex flashing details; Asymmetric valleys; Repaired areas; Changes in
slope ✔✔
The following roofs are most prone to ice dams: ✔✔A low slope roof with a wide soffit.
The typical life expectancy of an asphalt shingle roof is: An asphalt shingle roof typically
lasts ✔✔15-25 years
Two good repair methods for slate are: ✔✔slate hooks and making babies
Openings located less than 3 feet from an interior property line shall be protected with
what minimum fire protection rating?
a.0 hours; no protection rating is required
, b.20 minutes
c.45 minutes
d.Openings not permitted ✔✔d. openings not permitted
Based on where the home is located on the property, an exterior wall having a fire
separation distance less than 3 feet, penetrations protected with an approved
penetration fire stop system shall have a minimum fire resistance rating of
____________.
a.20 minutes
b.30 minutes
c.45 minutes
d.1 hour ✔✔d.1 hour
Any duct penetrating the wall or ceiling separating the dwelling from the garage shall be
constructed of a minimum _______sheet steel or other approved material.
a.No. 22 gauge
b.No. 24 gauge
c.No. 26 gauge
d.No. 28 gauge ✔✔c.26 gauge
Where a window well is required in conjunction with an escape and rescue opening, the
window well shall have a minimum net clear area of ______ square feet with a minimum
horizontal dimension of ________.
a.5.7, 20 inches
b.5.7, 24 inches
c.9.0, 30 inches
d.9.0, 36 inches ✔✔d. 9.0, 36 inches
A garage located beneath a habitable room shall be separated from the room by a
minimum ____gypsum board.
a.1/2 inch
b.1/2 inch Type X
c.5/8 inch
d.5/8 inch Type X ✔✔d.5/8 inch Type X
Handrails are not required on ramps having a maximum slope of ________.
a.1:8
b.1:12
c.1:15
d.1: 18 ✔✔b 1:12
Which one of the following areas in a dwelling unit does not specifically require the
installation of a smoke alarm?
a.Basement
b.Kitchen
c.Habitable attic
questions and answers
How are the holes in rigid foundation drain pipe aligned?
(a) Toward the foundation
(b) On the top half of the pipe(
c) On the bottom half of the pipe
(d) Away from the foundation ✔✔c) On the bottom half of the pipe
Where might you expect to find a window with safety glass:
(a) Less than 18 inches above the floor
(b) Less than 24 inches above the floor
(c) Above a kitchen sink
(d) On the second story ✔✔(a) Less than 18 inches above the floorWhich statement is
true?
(a) Increasing the insulation makes the attic warmer.
(b) If the attic is cold, then warm, moist air leaking into the attic from the house will
condense more quickly.
(c) If you increase the insulation level in a roof, you should decrease the ventilation.
(d) The insulation and ventilation cannot affect the structure of a roof. ✔✔?
Four reasons why written reports are needed. ✔✔1.The Standards require it
2.To help the client
3.To control your liability
4.Marketing tool
Two time options for report delivery. ✔✔1.On site reports
2.Reports sent after the inspection
Three general types of report formats. ✔✔1.Checklist
2.Narrative
3.Combination
Ten common components of the body of the report ✔✔1.Scope/contract
2.Descriptions
3.Conditions or evaluations
4.Causes of conditions
5.Implications of conditions
6.Recommended actions
7.Limitations
8.Life expectancy
9.Priorities
,10.Ballpark costs
Three main functions of exterior cladding: ✔✔1.Protect the structure from water;
2.Provide reasonable security;
3.Enhance the appearance of the home
What is efflorescence and what causes it: ✔✔Efflorescence is a whitish powdery salt
deposit that is associated with water moving through masonry. Water dissolves the salts
from masonry or mortar and deposits them on the surface as crystals when evaporating
Stucco is made up of ✔✔cement, aggregate and water
Stucco is similar to plaster, which is used on the inside of buildings. ✔✔
Six common problems with caulking, trim and flashings: ✔✔1.Missing flashings;
2.Ineffective or incomplete flashings;
3.Loose;
4.Rust;
5.Rot;
6.Caulking missing or ineffective
Three mechanisms by which water may get into wall systems from the building exterior
✔✔1.Rain driven by wind;
2.Rain running down the wall (gravity);
3.Water wicking into the wall (capillary action)
In evaluating exterior trim and flashings, you'll have to use some common sense.
Picture water running down the walls and you should be able to predict whether a given
detail is likely to be successful or not. Remember that areas that catch water or allow it
into wall sys-tems can cause considerable concealed damage.One of the trickiest
aspects of inspecting exterior flashings is that you can't see most of what you'd like to
see. In some cases, you can't even tell whether a flashing is in place. Most of the time
you have to settle for looking for evidence of nonperformance of flashings. In some
cases, what seems like an obvious entrance point is protected by a concealed flashing
and really isn't a problem. In other cases, details that look good are leakage points.The
conclusive evidence is water damage around and below the flashing, visible on the sid-
ing, the interior finishes, or the building skeleton. Since there ✔✔
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies ✔✔more than 24 or 30
inches above grade.
A single handrail is adequate for stairs up to ✔✔44 inches wide
The openings between railing spindles should not be greater than ✔✔4 3/8
,Why you shouldn't align a beam with a gutter to check for sag: ✔✔Gutters slope so they
always look off level
Installing joists with hangers is considered superior to toe-nailing them to beams
because: ✔✔There is more protection against uplift and twisting with a joist hanger
The proper way to flash a ledgerboard installed over siding: ✔✔Flashing extends from
under the siding, over the top of the ledgerboard, and down
Deck boards often rot first ✔✔Where the joists penetrate the wall
There should be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage
because: ✔✔To prevent fumes from entering the house.
A good concrete garage floor slab is usually ✔✔at least 3 inches thick and has 5 inches
of gravel beneath it.
Bad grading will always cause wet basements. T/F ? ✔✔False
Sloped roofs are not waterproof because: ✔✔They are designed to shed water like a
series of umbrel-las. They are not designed to control standing water.
A minor leak can be more of a problem than a major one because: ✔✔A minor roof leak
may cause considerable damage before it is noticed
The sides of a roof that will wear faster in climates where ultraviolet light is the main
aging factor are ✔✔South and west
Anything that restricts the drainage of water is a vulnerable area. Examples are: Wide
chim-neys near the lower edge of the roof; Chimneys in valleys; Skylights; Drains from
upper roofs discharging onto lower roof; Changes in material; Equipment that obstructs
drainage; Com-plex flashing details; Asymmetric valleys; Repaired areas; Changes in
slope ✔✔
The following roofs are most prone to ice dams: ✔✔A low slope roof with a wide soffit.
The typical life expectancy of an asphalt shingle roof is: An asphalt shingle roof typically
lasts ✔✔15-25 years
Two good repair methods for slate are: ✔✔slate hooks and making babies
Openings located less than 3 feet from an interior property line shall be protected with
what minimum fire protection rating?
a.0 hours; no protection rating is required
, b.20 minutes
c.45 minutes
d.Openings not permitted ✔✔d. openings not permitted
Based on where the home is located on the property, an exterior wall having a fire
separation distance less than 3 feet, penetrations protected with an approved
penetration fire stop system shall have a minimum fire resistance rating of
____________.
a.20 minutes
b.30 minutes
c.45 minutes
d.1 hour ✔✔d.1 hour
Any duct penetrating the wall or ceiling separating the dwelling from the garage shall be
constructed of a minimum _______sheet steel or other approved material.
a.No. 22 gauge
b.No. 24 gauge
c.No. 26 gauge
d.No. 28 gauge ✔✔c.26 gauge
Where a window well is required in conjunction with an escape and rescue opening, the
window well shall have a minimum net clear area of ______ square feet with a minimum
horizontal dimension of ________.
a.5.7, 20 inches
b.5.7, 24 inches
c.9.0, 30 inches
d.9.0, 36 inches ✔✔d. 9.0, 36 inches
A garage located beneath a habitable room shall be separated from the room by a
minimum ____gypsum board.
a.1/2 inch
b.1/2 inch Type X
c.5/8 inch
d.5/8 inch Type X ✔✔d.5/8 inch Type X
Handrails are not required on ramps having a maximum slope of ________.
a.1:8
b.1:12
c.1:15
d.1: 18 ✔✔b 1:12
Which one of the following areas in a dwelling unit does not specifically require the
installation of a smoke alarm?
a.Basement
b.Kitchen
c.Habitable attic
