1 Reading a House Flashcards by Kaman Hung

What is the importance of a flexible home?

A flexible home can accommodate future life changes such as having kids, working from home, or caring for elderly parents.

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What should you consider when evaluating a house’s potential?

Consider all of its assets, including those needing work, as they may be diamonds in the rough.

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How can a careful inspection guide future renovations?

It can reveal areas needing attention for safety, updating, appearance, or preventive maintenance.

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What can a house inspection reveal?

Conditions serious enough to dissuade you from buying or leverage for negotiating a lower price.

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What should you do before conducting any house inspections?

Get a tetanus shot and dress appropriately in old clothes and sturdy footwear.

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When inspecting a house, why is it advised to avoid distractions?

To focus on facts rather than opinions from the owner or real estate agent.

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What is a key factor to check when examining a roof?

Look for sagging ridges, which may indicate structural issues.

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What does flashing do on a roof?

Flashing prevents water from leaking through the roof at vulnerable areas.

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What should you do if there are two or more layers of roofing?

Strip the roof to the sheathing before reroofing.

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What indicates that a roof may need replacement?

Worn granular surfaces, cupped shingles, or significant gravel in gutters.

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What is a common issue with wood shingles and shakes?

They often suffer from greater wear on south-facing roofs due to sun exposure.

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Why should you avoid walking on slate roofs?

Slate is slippery and brittle, making it prone to breakage.

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What should you look for when inspecting roof tiles?

Odd-colored tiles from repairs, cracks, and sagging ridges.

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What is a common problem with asphalt shingles?

Worn granular surfaces, cupped and dog-eared shingles indicate the need for a new roof.

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Fill in the blank: The _______ is the first line of defense against rain, snow, and ice.

roof

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True or False: A house’s foundation is typically reinforced with steel.

False

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What is the purpose of a disclosure statement?

To describe code violations, unpermitted work, and other known issues needing fixing.

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What should you check for if a roof has water damage?

Inspect for worn roofing, missing flashing, and other potential leaks.

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What tools should you carry during an inspection?

Graph paper, pencil, flashlight, pocketknife, spirit level, and binoculars.

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What should you do if you find rust-colored streaks on a slate roof?

Check if nails used were galvanized and if many have rusted through, indicating danger.

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What can mossy shingles indicate?

They retain water and may induce rot, especially in wet climates.

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What should you do if you see patches of odd-colored shingles?

Investigate for old leaks or defective shingles.

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Why should you stay off tile roofs?

Your weight could damage the tiles.

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What should you look for when inspecting roof tiles?

Odd-colored tiles, cracked or broken tiles, water stains.

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What does sagging ridge and rafters indicate?

Too much weight on the framing.

What is the consequence of removing tiles to repair sagging rafters?

It's a big expense.

Why should you stay off metal roofs?

They are slippery, whether wet or dry.

What can be done to roofs with superficial rust?

They can be sanded and repainted.

Where should roofing panels be nailed on metal roofs?

At the high point of metal folds.

What indicates an inept installation of metal roofing?

Many nails in the roofing channels themselves.

What are older built-up roofs made of?

Alternating layers of heavy building paper and hot tar.

What is used to protect the surface of built-up roofs from UV damage?

Light-colored gravel.

What has largely replaced hot tar in newer built-up roofs?

Modified bitumen (MB).

What causes blisters in built-up roofs?

Trapped water.

What should you do if blisters are widespread on a roof?

It's time to reroof.

Why are flat roofs not truly flat?

They need some slope to shed water.

Where do most leaks occur on flat roofs?

At turn-ups, where the flat roof joins walls and vertical surfaces.

What may a large amount of tar at the base of walls indicate?

Inadequate flashing and frequent repairs.

What should you check around plumbing vents?

Is the flashing sound?

What should be inspected closely for chimney maintenance?

Mortar joints, chimney cap, flashing, liner.

What indicates a potential chimney fire?

Badly cracked flue tile or shiny black creosote flakes.

How often should chimneys be inspected?

Annually.

What can allow superheated gases to escape from a chimney?

Cracks in a flue or no flue at all.

What do stains or discoloration along the eaves usually indicate?

Clogged gutters or missing drip-edge flashing.

What should you do with metal gutters that have rusted through?

They need to be replaced.

What may indicate water damage behind wood gutters?

Failure of the gutters.

What can cause discoloration of siding along the base of the wall?

Siding too close to the ground, nearby plants, splashback from roof runoff, badly positioned lawn sprinkler.

What is a sign of chronic moisture issues in bathrooms and kitchens?

Chronically peeling paint.

What is a common issue with stucco when a building shifts?

It will crack.

What can extensive patching of stucco indicate?

A widespread problem.

What may indicate that a brick veneer half-wall is pulling away?

Rusting metal ties.

What are diagonal cracks from the upper corners of windows a sign of?

Possible inadequate support of the header.

What should you inspect for around doors and windows?

Flashing.

What does a house that has shifted often indicate?

Poor drainage and an inadequately sized foundation.

What can cause damp basements and cracked foundations?

Faulty drainage outside.

What should downspouts do?

Carry runoff away from the house.

What should you mark on your graph paper when inspecting foundations?

Foundation cracks greater than 1/4 in. wide.

What can signal termites near the house?

Telltale dirt tubes.

What is a potential hazard of brick chimneys in earthquake-prone areas?

They may break off at the roofline.

What should be the first area to inspect for water damage indoors?

Attics and basements.

What are two suggested remedies for a chimney in need of repair?

Seismic steel bracing of the chimney to the roof or removing the chimney above the roof and replacing it with metal flue pipe.

What areas should you start inspecting for signs of water damage inside a house?

Attics and basements.

What should you look for in the attic regarding water damage?

Missing flashing and stains on the underside of roof sheathing.

What are common causes of water stains around plumbing vents, dormers, and chimneys?

Failed or missing flashing.

What is indicated by dark brown stains around a chimney that smell of creosote?

Cracked flue tile allowing caustic creosote compounds to leak.

What is a sign that chimney mortar joints may be compromised?

Cracks in the chimney’s mortar joints.

What can inadequate ventilation in attics cause in winter?

Frost to collect on the underside of roof sheathing.

What are ice dams and how do they form?

Ice dams form when warm air from below warms the roof, melting snow that refreezes in unheated overhangs.

What should you do if you find discolored rafters and delaminated roof sheathing?

Investigate warm, moist air migrating upward from living spaces.

What could cause sagging roof sheathing between rafters?

The roof sheathing is too thin and should be replaced with thicker plywood.

What does widespread cracking in tile floors indicate?

Insufficient adhesive or an underlayment that’s too thin.

How can you test if a toilet is securely mounted?

Grab the edges of the bowl and try to rock it from side to side.

What common issue might cause stained, springy floors around the base of a toilet?

A worn-out wax ring gasket under the toilet.

What must be well caulked to prevent leaks in bathrooms?

Tub–wall joints.

What are serious signs of foundation issues?

Cracks that run through the foundation or are at least 1/4 in. wide.

What can cause horizontal cracks in a foundation wall just below ground level?

Adfreezing.

What should you do if you see knob-and-tube wiring?

Check with local code officials or a licensed electrician.

What is essential protection near water for kitchen and bathroom receptacles?

GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters).

What can be a cause of wooden posts rotting at the bottoms?

Moisture wicking up from the ground through the concrete pad.

What indicates that joists and girders may have been weakened?

Improper cutting to accommodate ducts or pipes.

What can be a remedy for deteriorating flooring near an exterior door-sill?

Replace damaged materials and install an all-weather doorsill.

What should be done if the subfloor and joists below a toilet are water damaged?

Pull up flooring and replace it.

What does excessive springy floors suggest?

Subflooring or underlayment that’s not strong enough.

What is a common cause of crumbling drywall or plaster at the top of walls?

Exterior leaks or excessive moisture in living areas.

What can large diagonal cracks in drywall or plaster indicate?

Structural shifting and foundation distress.

What should be checked if stairs are sloping badly to one side?

The stair carriage may be pulling loose from wall mountings.

What is a potential problem if the underside of stairs is not accessible?

Repairing the problem can be complex and costly.

What does a musty smell in bathrooms or kitchens indicate?

Inadequate ventilation.

What should be done to improve dampness in basements?

Regularly clean gutters and downspouts, and grade soil away from the foundation.

What is a serious indication of foundation issues?

Bowing-in along horizontal cracks.

What can be a long-term concern for older foundations of unreinforced concrete?

They may be crumbling and inadequate for structural support.

What can be a remedy for excessive moisture in living spaces?

Air-sealing holes and adding insulation to the attic floor.

What should you do if you find extensive water damage to subfloor or floor joists?

Replace the damaged sections.

What should you do before examining receptacles and switches?

Turn off the electricity and use a voltage tester to ensure it’s off.

What indicates that a service panel is unsafe?

Scorch marks, rust stains, condensation, or damp conditions.

What is the minimal circuit-breaker service panel capacity considered today?

100 amps.

What type of wiring does not include a ground wire?

Knob-and-tube wiring.

What should be done with electrical cables that have cracked or frayed sheathing?

They should be replaced.

What is required for receptacles in high-moisture areas?

Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs).

What does a voltage tester help you check?

Whether receptacles are operable.

What is a sign of aluminum circuit wiring in walls?

Warm cover plates, flickering tester lights, or odd smells.

What should be replaced if drainage, waste, and vent (DWV) pipes are in poor condition?

They should be replaced if rusted, corroded, or leaking.

What is the typical lifespan of galvanized iron supply pipes?

About 25 years.

What should be done if copper pipes show blue-green deposits?

Install an acid-neutralizing filter on supply lines.

What determines the need for a water heater replacement?

If it is more than 12 years old.

What is the typical capacity for a gas-fired water heater for a family of four?

40 gallons.

What indicates a potential issue with cleanout traps?

Fresh wrench marks or badly scarred traps.

What can cause lead contamination in drinking water?

Copper supply pipes installed before 1990 containing lead in solder joints.

What should you ask about septic tanks before purchasing a house?

When it was last emptied and how the location of the clean-out lid is determined.

What is a sign of a failing septic system?

Damp and smelly ground around the tank.

What type of water heater may lower energy bills?

Tankless water heater.

What is required for gas-fueled water heaters?

An approved vent to exhaust combustion gases.

What can prevent water heater explosions?

A temperature- and pressure-relief (TPR) valve.

What should you do if you smell gas or see corroded gas pipes?

Call the gas utility immediately.

What should be inspected by an HVAC contractor?

Heating and cooling systems.

What is a sign that a furnace may need replacement?

Rust at the bottom of the heating unit or if it's 15 to 20 years old.

What can indicate a cracked furnace heat exchanger?

Soot around heat registers or exhaust smells.

What should you do if certain rooms are always cold?

Consult an HVAC specialist to balance heat distribution or upsize the furnace.

What could indicate the presence of asbestos in an older heating system?

Ducts or pipes wrapped with white or gray paper-tape.

What might be the issue if an AC system runs constantly but doesn’t cool the house?

The coolant may need to be recharged.

What could gaps between the hearth and hearth extension in a fireplace indicate?

Stray coals could fall into the gaps and start a fire.

What should be done if there are loose bricks in the fireplace firebox?

Repairs should be made by a mason or chimney specialist.

What is a potential fire hazard related to woodstoves?

Minimum distances from flammable surfaces must be observed.