40 Hour Property and Building Inspection Module 1 SITE CONDITIONS

Optimum moisture content shows the min soil moisture changes - True The Min swelling pressure of concrete is ____ psi? - 3,000 Foundation/Footing drains are installed at what depth? - at or below area to be protected a guideline for the appropriate slope of a lot away from a house is - six inches over ten feet a low depression used in the soil for drainage - Swale Briefly state the function of gutters and downspouts - gutters and downspouts carry water from the roof away from the building, protecting the cladding system and the foundation why shouldn't you align a beam with a gutter to check for sag? - Gutters slope so they always look off level why are porous materials near a house a potential problem? - the earth below them may be impervious, and slope toward the house which of the following is an implication of improper lot grading - foundation damage What is a finishing grading practice? - Sand mixed with top soil What is a common problem with grading? - steep slope The min. swelling pressure of expansive soil is ____ psi? - 5,000 All of the following are common problems with walks and driveways EXCEPT - control joints Dramatic slope is likely less important if the ground surface is: sand or asphalt? - Asphalt, True What are the risks associated with an improperly draining walkway? - Moss or ice, which are trip hazards. Surface damage of the material itself, and water penetration into the building if the surface is against the house How might paint indicate that a beam has slipped out of its pocket? - if the beam has been painted and there are unpainted parts visible at the supports, this may indicate movement of the beam, TRUE. Joists are usually spaced _________ or ___________ inches on center. - 16 or 24 inches The metal brackets used to support joists are called ___________. - joist hangers Concrete steps and landings can be built in several ways. - true Minimum dimensions for landings are often stated as ___________ feet by ____________ feet. - 3 feet by 3 feet ______________ are exterior structures that project from the building structure at least one story above grade - balcony the defining feature of balconies is their steps and access to grade - false a balcony can be supported by columns and the house wall - true common problems with any exterior cladding include all of the following EXCEPT - too close to window openings Common stucco problems include all of the following EXCEPT - no paint common problems with metal and vinyl siding include all of the following EXCEPT - nails not driven tight Brick veneer walls are watertight. - false the function of a vapor barrier is to protect the building from moisture damage. as well as designed to protect it from moisture due to vapor diffusion, not air movement. - true is it more important for the air barrier or vapor barrier to be continuous - air barrier Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or the cold side of the wall assembly? - warm side a vapor retarder is designed to restrict vapor diffusion - true what are the implications of an inadequate air/vapor barrier - moisture may get into the building structure, causing damage Indicate where the air/vapor barrier should be located in the wall assembly in a hot, humid climate. - outer part of the wall, or not at all the primary function of insulation is to control heat loss - true