Home Inspector Exam: Structural Review Questions and Answers

Home Inspector Exam: Structural Review Questions and Answers

1. What are the four main soil classifications?: Sand, Gravel, Silt and Clay
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2. A soil engineer rates change of soil volume by the
n n : Plasticity index
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3. A monolithic slab is a perimeter beam and slab that are
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?: Poured at the same time as one piece.
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4. A 4 inch slab floor will not support
n n n ?: an interior load-bearing wall.
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5. Disadvantages of a screeded slab:: termites are difficult to find and are difficult to treat if
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found.
6. What is the cause of non-uniform soil moisture?: poor drainage away from the foundation.
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7. is the removal of soil moisture by vegetation.: Transpiration
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8. A collects subsurface water and moves it to another location.: French Drain n n n n n n n n n n


9. What is the best type of foundation for a weak soil?: Pier and Beam
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10. What is the minimum grade away from a building?: 6 inches in 10 feet. Grade should be 1
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2 inches above the street drain plus two percent additional slope away from the home.
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11. A casement window is hinged on how many sides?: One
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12. Treated wood or decay- n n n


resistant lumber must be used on structural floor joists in a crawl space when closer than
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n inches to the ground.: 18 inches n n n n n


13. The ability of clay soil to absorb water is approximately
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of an inch per hour.: 1/16
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14. The frost line in Texas is how many inches?: 10
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15. Should a concrete pipe be installed underground of a building?: No
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16. What is the purpose of weep holes?: They drain moisture condensation in a brick vene
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er house and provide ventilation behind the brick.
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17. Weep holes must be at least n inches wide and spaced no more than
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inches apart.: 3/16 wide; 33 inches apart n n n n n n


18. What should an inspector do if a beam does not rest on a pier?: The inspector s
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hould report it as deficient.
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19. When an inspector finds horizontal cracks in a wall he/she should refer the client to?:
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1n/n
15

, Seek advice from a structural engineer or foundation repair company. The inspector does no
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t speculate a cause.
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20. Possible causes of horizontal lines or cracks are?: Improper backfill, rusted vertical reb
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ar, horizontal pressure, missing moisture barrier, or vertical pressure/up-
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nheavel (hydrostatic pressure)
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21. Concrete and masonry foundation walls should extend above the finished grade a mi
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nimum of?: 4 inches n n n


22. Other than concrete and masonry siding, all other siding materials should extend how
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nfar above the finished grade?: 6 inches
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2n/n
15