RECA RURAL PART2 EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Posts or columns - Answer-Posts or columns are used to transfer a beam's load
vertically, down to the footing. Posts and columns may be made of brick, concrete
block, poured concrete, wood or steel.
Warning sign/potential problem - Crumbling mortar in masonry posts and rust on steel
posts can be from moisture damage. - Answer-Deteriorating posts or columns due to
moisture.
Warning sign/potential problem - Patching materials used inside or outside the
basement wall.
Cracks. - Answer-Inward movement caused by inadequate support, faulty backfilling, or
thin foundation walls.
Warning sign/potential problem - Patching materials used inside or outside the
basement wall.
Water stains or mold on an interior wall.
Musty smells.White mineral deposit(efflorescence) on interior basement walls. When
water passes through from the outside and dissolves salts in the concrete, masonry or
mortar and then evaporates from the inner wall, a crystalline salt deposit is left behind. -
Answer-Leakage from improper landscaping, inadequate downspouts, or faulty or non-
existent weeping tile.
Quonset - Answer-a building made of corrugated metal and having a semicircular shape
sills - Answer-The floor system starts with sills providing a level, continuous pad
between the top of the foundation and the bottom of the framing system.
floor joists - Answer-Typically, the floor joists rest on the sills and provide a structure for
the subflooring. The joists and beams must supply enough support to the subfloor to
prevent sagging. Bridging or blocking of joists offers extra structural support.
Warning sign/potential problem - Springy floors. - Answer-Springy floors caused by
joists that are not bridged or blocked, or by subflooring that is too thin. Floors that are
too thin may not hold the weight of concentrated loads, such as a piano.
Warning sign/potential problem - Unevenness. - Answer-Uneven floors, from uneven
joist installation, debris on the joists when the subfloor is laid, or other mistakes.
Warning sign/potential problem - Sagging or altered joists. - Answer-Sagging caused by
floor joists that are undersized or altered.
,Warning sign/potential problem - Squeaky floors. - Answer-Squeaky floors may be
caused by inadequately secured subflooring. The squeaking is the sound of the
movement of the wood against the nail.
Warning sign/potential problem - In unfinished basements, water stains may be visible
from the underside of the subfloor. - Answer-Water damage. Wafer board subflooring
can swell when wet and cause unevenness. Swelling may pull the nail through the
damaged board or out of the joist.
balloon framing - Answer-In balloon framing, the wall studs are built before the floors
and are continuous from the foundation to the roofline.
Platform framing - Answer-In platform framing, the wall framing is erected on top of the
floor-joist and subfloor system. In two-storey buildings, a second-floor platform is
assembled on top of the studs and then a second set of studs is built on top of this
platform.
Warning sign/potential problem - Brick walls that lean or are cracked. - Answer-Brick
masonry walls are subject to leaning or bowing, due to deterioration of mortar between
bricks, cracking, and other problems. Consult an engineer.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracks in interior walls and ceilings. - Answer-Cracks
in interior walls and ceilings indicate movement.
Warning sign/potential problem - Damage around windows and doors. - Answer-
Damage around windows and doors can indicate structural movement.
OSB - Answer-Oriented Strand Board (OSB), also known as wafer board panels
OSB board is engineered for increased strength with decreased weight compared to
wood plank or plywood.
How is roof pitch measured? - Answer-The slope of a roof, or roof pitch, is measured
and described based on how many inches it rises over a span of 12 inches, using the
format: X vertical inches over 12 inches, or x:12. For example, a roof slope that rises 6
inches every 12 horizontal inches has a 6:12 pitch.
Roofs with slopes less than 4:12 are low slope roofs. Low slope roofs require different
roof materials and installation methods than steeper pitched roofs in order to properly
protect the building from water penetration.
Roofs with steep slopes, over 8:12 pitch, are more efficient at shedding water; however,
they are more difficult for roofers to install.
,What is the difference between an open gable and and a box gable roof - Answer-Both
look like a standard triangle hat but box extends on the end and sticks out looking like it
is boxed.
Warning sign/potential problem - Sagging or buckling roof - Answer-Rafters can sag or
buckle when the lumber used is too thin or when they have inadequate collar ties and
braces.
Use of sheathing that is too thin can cause sagging.
Warning sign/potential problem - Water damage on interior ceilings. - Answer-Ice
damming occurs when snow and ice collect or dam in a certain area of the roof, causing
melting snow to drain improperly.
The difference between silver to black wood shingles and wood shingles that are
greenish in colour - Answer-Wood shingles that are silver to black are untreated and
more subject to decay than those that are greenish in colour, indicative of pressure
treating.
Difference between wood shingles and wood shakes - Answer-Shingles are also made
of machine-cut wood. wood shakes are split mechanically or by hand.
Warning sign/potential problem - Asphalt shingles with curling or cracking. - Answer-
Leakage; expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Wood shingles that are missing, cracked, or showing
signs of rot. - Answer-Leakage; expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked tile roofs. - Answer-Leakage; expensive to
replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Standing water on flat roofs. - Answer-Improper
drainage.
Warning sign/potential problem - Broken or missing vent screens on soffits. - Answer-
This can allow birds or small animals entry to the attic.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked or warped fascia boards. - Answer-This can
direct water into the soffit area and cause damage.
soffit and fascia board. - Answer-The eave overhang protects the side wall and
connects the roof to the wall. Two major components of the overhang are the soffit and
fascia board.
The fascia board is nailed to the end of the joists or trusses, running the full length of
the roof. This may also be referred to as the subfascia. Typically, the fascia trim is made
of wood.
, The soffit is the area on the underside of the roof overhang that extends from the gutter
to the wall surface. Soffits are usually made of wood, metal, vinyl, or stucco and have
drilled holes or vents to allow air circulation in the attic. The soffit pieces are attached to
the subfascia. To finish the eave overhang, fascia covers the outside edge of the soffit
and protects the wood subfascia.
Eavestroughs and downspouts protect the building walls from water and direct the water
away from the foundation. They are usually are made from aluminum, galvanized steel,
or plastic.
Eavestroughs collect water runoff from the roof.
Downspouts should discharge the water into proper drains or onto the ground at a safe
distance away from foundation walls.
Composite siding - Answer-Composite siding is a manufactured exterior finish that is
designed to look like wood siding. It can be made from treated and compressed wood
byproducts. However, the most popular composite siding is made from concrete fibre,
which is more durable and provides some protection from fire.
Brick veneer - Answer-Brick veneer is a layer of brick applied to a standard frame wall
system. The brick is supported either directly on the concrete foundation or on angle
iron bolted to the foundation. The brick veneer wall is attached to the wood wall by
special ties installed during the bricklaying process.
Warning sign/potential problem - Improperly installed trim over joints in wood siding. -
Answer-Untrimmed siding is more apt to be damaged by moisture.
Warning sign/potential problem - Wood siding that has moved and changed shape. -
Answer-Weather damage.
Warning sign/potential problem - Painted wood siding that shows blistering or staining of
the paint. - Answer-Indicates moisture in the wood.
Warning sign/potential problem - Damage to stucco. - Answer-Moisture
problems.Expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked or flaking parging, which could indicate
unwanted moisture. - Answer-Moisture problems.Expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Discolouration of, or damage to, vinyl siding. - Answer-
It will be almost impossible to match the colour when replacing the siding, due to
changes in colour lots and effects of weather on the existing siding.
Windows - Panes / Lites - Answer-The pieces of glass are called panes or lites
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
Posts or columns - Answer-Posts or columns are used to transfer a beam's load
vertically, down to the footing. Posts and columns may be made of brick, concrete
block, poured concrete, wood or steel.
Warning sign/potential problem - Crumbling mortar in masonry posts and rust on steel
posts can be from moisture damage. - Answer-Deteriorating posts or columns due to
moisture.
Warning sign/potential problem - Patching materials used inside or outside the
basement wall.
Cracks. - Answer-Inward movement caused by inadequate support, faulty backfilling, or
thin foundation walls.
Warning sign/potential problem - Patching materials used inside or outside the
basement wall.
Water stains or mold on an interior wall.
Musty smells.White mineral deposit(efflorescence) on interior basement walls. When
water passes through from the outside and dissolves salts in the concrete, masonry or
mortar and then evaporates from the inner wall, a crystalline salt deposit is left behind. -
Answer-Leakage from improper landscaping, inadequate downspouts, or faulty or non-
existent weeping tile.
Quonset - Answer-a building made of corrugated metal and having a semicircular shape
sills - Answer-The floor system starts with sills providing a level, continuous pad
between the top of the foundation and the bottom of the framing system.
floor joists - Answer-Typically, the floor joists rest on the sills and provide a structure for
the subflooring. The joists and beams must supply enough support to the subfloor to
prevent sagging. Bridging or blocking of joists offers extra structural support.
Warning sign/potential problem - Springy floors. - Answer-Springy floors caused by
joists that are not bridged or blocked, or by subflooring that is too thin. Floors that are
too thin may not hold the weight of concentrated loads, such as a piano.
Warning sign/potential problem - Unevenness. - Answer-Uneven floors, from uneven
joist installation, debris on the joists when the subfloor is laid, or other mistakes.
Warning sign/potential problem - Sagging or altered joists. - Answer-Sagging caused by
floor joists that are undersized or altered.
,Warning sign/potential problem - Squeaky floors. - Answer-Squeaky floors may be
caused by inadequately secured subflooring. The squeaking is the sound of the
movement of the wood against the nail.
Warning sign/potential problem - In unfinished basements, water stains may be visible
from the underside of the subfloor. - Answer-Water damage. Wafer board subflooring
can swell when wet and cause unevenness. Swelling may pull the nail through the
damaged board or out of the joist.
balloon framing - Answer-In balloon framing, the wall studs are built before the floors
and are continuous from the foundation to the roofline.
Platform framing - Answer-In platform framing, the wall framing is erected on top of the
floor-joist and subfloor system. In two-storey buildings, a second-floor platform is
assembled on top of the studs and then a second set of studs is built on top of this
platform.
Warning sign/potential problem - Brick walls that lean or are cracked. - Answer-Brick
masonry walls are subject to leaning or bowing, due to deterioration of mortar between
bricks, cracking, and other problems. Consult an engineer.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracks in interior walls and ceilings. - Answer-Cracks
in interior walls and ceilings indicate movement.
Warning sign/potential problem - Damage around windows and doors. - Answer-
Damage around windows and doors can indicate structural movement.
OSB - Answer-Oriented Strand Board (OSB), also known as wafer board panels
OSB board is engineered for increased strength with decreased weight compared to
wood plank or plywood.
How is roof pitch measured? - Answer-The slope of a roof, or roof pitch, is measured
and described based on how many inches it rises over a span of 12 inches, using the
format: X vertical inches over 12 inches, or x:12. For example, a roof slope that rises 6
inches every 12 horizontal inches has a 6:12 pitch.
Roofs with slopes less than 4:12 are low slope roofs. Low slope roofs require different
roof materials and installation methods than steeper pitched roofs in order to properly
protect the building from water penetration.
Roofs with steep slopes, over 8:12 pitch, are more efficient at shedding water; however,
they are more difficult for roofers to install.
,What is the difference between an open gable and and a box gable roof - Answer-Both
look like a standard triangle hat but box extends on the end and sticks out looking like it
is boxed.
Warning sign/potential problem - Sagging or buckling roof - Answer-Rafters can sag or
buckle when the lumber used is too thin or when they have inadequate collar ties and
braces.
Use of sheathing that is too thin can cause sagging.
Warning sign/potential problem - Water damage on interior ceilings. - Answer-Ice
damming occurs when snow and ice collect or dam in a certain area of the roof, causing
melting snow to drain improperly.
The difference between silver to black wood shingles and wood shingles that are
greenish in colour - Answer-Wood shingles that are silver to black are untreated and
more subject to decay than those that are greenish in colour, indicative of pressure
treating.
Difference between wood shingles and wood shakes - Answer-Shingles are also made
of machine-cut wood. wood shakes are split mechanically or by hand.
Warning sign/potential problem - Asphalt shingles with curling or cracking. - Answer-
Leakage; expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Wood shingles that are missing, cracked, or showing
signs of rot. - Answer-Leakage; expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked tile roofs. - Answer-Leakage; expensive to
replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Standing water on flat roofs. - Answer-Improper
drainage.
Warning sign/potential problem - Broken or missing vent screens on soffits. - Answer-
This can allow birds or small animals entry to the attic.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked or warped fascia boards. - Answer-This can
direct water into the soffit area and cause damage.
soffit and fascia board. - Answer-The eave overhang protects the side wall and
connects the roof to the wall. Two major components of the overhang are the soffit and
fascia board.
The fascia board is nailed to the end of the joists or trusses, running the full length of
the roof. This may also be referred to as the subfascia. Typically, the fascia trim is made
of wood.
, The soffit is the area on the underside of the roof overhang that extends from the gutter
to the wall surface. Soffits are usually made of wood, metal, vinyl, or stucco and have
drilled holes or vents to allow air circulation in the attic. The soffit pieces are attached to
the subfascia. To finish the eave overhang, fascia covers the outside edge of the soffit
and protects the wood subfascia.
Eavestroughs and downspouts protect the building walls from water and direct the water
away from the foundation. They are usually are made from aluminum, galvanized steel,
or plastic.
Eavestroughs collect water runoff from the roof.
Downspouts should discharge the water into proper drains or onto the ground at a safe
distance away from foundation walls.
Composite siding - Answer-Composite siding is a manufactured exterior finish that is
designed to look like wood siding. It can be made from treated and compressed wood
byproducts. However, the most popular composite siding is made from concrete fibre,
which is more durable and provides some protection from fire.
Brick veneer - Answer-Brick veneer is a layer of brick applied to a standard frame wall
system. The brick is supported either directly on the concrete foundation or on angle
iron bolted to the foundation. The brick veneer wall is attached to the wood wall by
special ties installed during the bricklaying process.
Warning sign/potential problem - Improperly installed trim over joints in wood siding. -
Answer-Untrimmed siding is more apt to be damaged by moisture.
Warning sign/potential problem - Wood siding that has moved and changed shape. -
Answer-Weather damage.
Warning sign/potential problem - Painted wood siding that shows blistering or staining of
the paint. - Answer-Indicates moisture in the wood.
Warning sign/potential problem - Damage to stucco. - Answer-Moisture
problems.Expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Cracked or flaking parging, which could indicate
unwanted moisture. - Answer-Moisture problems.Expensive to replace.
Warning sign/potential problem - Discolouration of, or damage to, vinyl siding. - Answer-
It will be almost impossible to match the colour when replacing the siding, due to
changes in colour lots and effects of weather on the existing siding.
Windows - Panes / Lites - Answer-The pieces of glass are called panes or lites
