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Home Inspection > Ch. 5 - Insulation & Ventilation > Flashcards

Ch. 5 - Insulation & Ventilation Flashcards

1
Q

The primary function of insulation is to______

A

Control heat loss

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2
Q

The vapor retarder is designed to ______

A

Restrict vapor diffusion

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3
Q

What are the implications of an inadequate air/vapor barrier?

A

Moisture may get into the building, causing damage.

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4
Q

Name 2 purposes of house ventilation

A
  1. Flushes moisture from unconditioned spaces in winter and heat from these spaces in summer
  2. Provides fresh air for building components
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5
Q

Define relative humidity.

A

The amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount it could hold if saturated.

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6
Q

What is meant by drying potential?

A

The ability of a material to dry out after it has gotten wet

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7
Q

Why are roofs vented in the winter in cold climates?

A

We are not able to completely stop air leakage into cool roof spaces, she we need to get rid of that warm moist air.

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8
Q

What is the purpose of a heat recovery ventilator?

A

To transfer some of the heat from the air exhausted from the house into fresh air coming into the house.

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9
Q

The term ventilation might mean two very different things with respect to homes. Explain the 2 different types of ventilation.

A
  1. Venting of roof and wall spaces to flush warm moist air out of the building components
  2. Exhausting stale air and supplying fresh air to the living spaces
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10
Q

Indicate where the air/vapor barrier should be located in the wall assembly in a hot, humid climate.

A

Outer part of the wall. Or none at all

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11
Q

List 4 common forms that insulation materials may be found in

A
  1. Loose fill
  2. Batts or blankets
  3. Rigid board
  4. Foamed in place
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12
Q

List 10 common insulation materials and the form they come in

A
  1. Fiberglass - loose, batt, fill, board
  2. Cellulose fiber - loose fill
  3. Mineral wool- loose fill, batt, board
  4. Vermiculite- loose fill
  5. Expand polystyrene (eps) - board
  6. Extruded polystyrene- board
  7. Closed cell phenolic plastic - board
  8. Polyisocyanurate - board
  9. Polyurethane - foamed in place
  10. Iscoyanate- foamed in place
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13
Q

What is the function of an air barrier?

A

To stop air movement though building walls and roof

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14
Q

Indicate two reasons we are interested in controlling air movement through building walls and roofs?

A
  1. Minimize heat flow to exterior/interior

2. Minimize moisture flow to building components

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15
Q

Describe the function of a vapor barrier

A

To protect the building from moisture damage. Designed to protect from moisture due to vapor diffusion, not air movement

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16
Q

List two other names for vapor barriers

A

Vapor retarder

Vapor diffusion retarder vdr

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17
Q

Is it important for the air barrier or vapor barrier to be continuous

A

Air barrier

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18
Q

Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or cold side of the wall assembly

A

Warm side

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19
Q

Should the vapor barrier be on the warm side or cold side of the wall assembly in a hot, humid climate

A

Warm side

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20
Q

List 3 functions of roof vents

A

Allow warm moist air out of the attic
Reduce attic temperatures in summer
Helps prevents ice dams in the winter by keeping attic cold

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21
Q

List four types of roof vents

A

Soffit
Roof
Ridge
End gable

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22
Q

What percentage of the total venting should be at the soffits

A

50%

23
Q

What percentage of the total venting should be high on the roof

A

50%

24
Q

When can soffit venting be omitted safely

A

If there are gable vents on opposing ends

25
Q

What do soffit vent baffles do

A

Prevents insulation from covering the vents

26
Q

How are mansard or gambrel roofs ideally center

A

Required at ridge and bottom of upper section

None is required doe the steep section

27
Q

Is it possible to over ventilate an attic. If so why is it an issue

A

Yes if ceiling is not well sealed

Can cause negative pressure in the attic that promotes warm moist air to enter at a faster rate

28
Q

List three things that make attics dangerous

A

Fall through the ceiling
Latrice shock
Irritate lungs, eyes, skin

29
Q

List four common hatch problems and the implications of each

A

Not insulated - heat loss
Not weather stripped - heat loss and air leakage
Missing - heat loss and air leakage
Inaccessible - limits inspection

30
Q

What are the implications of insulation that is only

  1. two Inches thick,
  2. wet,
  3. compressed,
  4. interrupted by gaps or voids or
  5. missing
A
  1. Heat loss
  2. Not work well, damages finishes
  3. Reduce r value
  4. Localized heat loss, ice dammin
  5. Heat loss, ice damming
31
Q

Under what circumstances should insulation cover Reese’s lights. What is one inspection strategy to help I’d recessed lights while in the attic.

A

Only if lights are the proper type or installed in drywall boxes
Look for double she’ll, or IC stamp

32
Q

Will you ever see walls in attics. Where. Should these be insulated?

A

Walls indicate skylights or light wells. Yes, should be insulated

33
Q

What two things should you be looking for on ducts in attics

A

Insulation

Air/vapor barrier

34
Q

How should insulation be handled around masonry chimneys

A

Should not have combustible insulation surrounding them

35
Q

How should insulation be handled around metal vents

A

Vent is contained in a boxed in area to keep insulation away

36
Q

What are the implications of air/vapor barriers that are missing or incomplete

A

Air leakage
Rot damage
Insulation gets wet from condensation

37
Q

List three common problems with roof vents and their implications.

A

Problems: birds nests, mech damage, undersized openings
Implications: inadequate venting, mold or rot from condensation

38
Q

What is suggested by snow on attic insulation below roof vents

A

If soffit venting is missing, rain and snow may actually be drawn into the roof vents

39
Q

Listen three possible concerns with turbine vents

A

No ventilation on calm days
Too much ventilation on windy days
Noisy or seized

40
Q

Should power vents be operating in the winter. Why or why not

A

No, because it could unnecessarily pull heat air out increasing the heating loss

41
Q

What is suggested by mold or rot on rafters or sheathing

A

An exhaust fan dumping warm moist air directly into the attic

42
Q

Describe in one sentence each four general approaches to insulating flat and cathedral roofs

A
  1. Treat as an attic with little insulation sand an air space
  2. Completely fill roof space, in theory it stops airflow
  3. Insulate above sheathing, roof membrane apps piled over insulation
  4. Insulate below roof structure, lowers exiling heights, but provides good ventilation
43
Q

List five common problems found with flat roof insulation systems and the implications of each

A
  1. Too little insulation - heat loss, no damage to structure
  2. Wet, compressed or voids - reduced r valid, mold mildew rot
  3. Missing or incomplete air/ vapor barrier - mold mildew rot
  4. Missing or inadequate venting - warm, moist air condensing and causing mold mildew rot
  5. Venting obstructed - mold mildew rot
44
Q

Describe one possible way to get a look at insulation in a flat roof

A

Remove exiling light fixture or exhaust fan covers or pop fascia vents off and look through holes

45
Q

What things might suggest wet insulation

A

Staining, sponginess or dampness on ceilings

46
Q

Describe two strategies used to deal with venting of flat roofs

A

Vent the roof space

Seal the roof cavity

47
Q

On a flat roof where will you most often see the vents

A

Opposing casitas

48
Q

What is an appropriate ratio of vent area to roof area

A

One sf of venting for every 150 sf of roof area

49
Q

T or f Basement wall insulation is necessary

A

False

50
Q

Two strategies to insulate basement walls

A

Outside - keeps walls warm, no interior space lost, but only certain types can be used
Inside - inexpensive, can be done at anytime, any type but can be difficult to detect leaks

51
Q

Two general approaches to insulating crawl spaces

A

Insulate walls rearing conditioned crawlspace

Insulate floors above creating unconditioned space

52
Q

T or f all crawlspace a should be vented

A

True if I heated vented to outdoors to remove warm moist air in cold climates

53
Q

List nine common problems with insulation and ventilation in basement and crawl spaces

A 
Insulation too little or incomplete
Exterior insulation it suit able for below grade use
Ext insulation not protected at top
Insulation missing at rim joists
Insulation saggin, loose or voids
Exposed combustible insulation
Air/ vapor barrier missing incomplete or wrong location 
No moisture barrier on basement walls
No moisture barrier on earth floor

Home Inspection (1 decks)

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