Exterior Flashcards
InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards of Practice Course
Exterior Wall Covering Materials
Front: What materials might be used for exterior wall coverings?
Explanation: These materials are commonly used for exterior walls and serve as protective barriers from weather conditions, insulation, and aesthetic purposes. Proper inspection helps detect potential wear and damage, especially from environmental exposure.
Back: Wood siding, aluminum siding, vinyl siding, asbestos cement shingles, plywood, stucco, brick, stone masonry, or an exterior insulation and finish system.
Eaves, Soffit, and Fascia
Front: What damage can occur to soffits and fascia?
Explanation: The soffit is a horizontal surface under the eaves, while the fascia is a vertical trim. When these components are damaged, they can lead to moisture intrusion, which can cause insulation to become wet, promoting mold growth and damaging the home’s structure.
Back: Damaged soffits can allow rain or snow into the attic, damaging insulation and ceilings. Fascia boards can also allow moisture to enter, potentially causing rotting of the roof structure.
Windows and Doors
Front: What should you inspect with windows and doors?
Explanation: Windows and doors are critical elements of the home’s functionality and safety. It’s important to ensure they are in good condition, and that egress doors meet safety requirements for emergency exits.
Back: Check a representative number of windows and all exterior doors. Egress doors should be at least 3 feet wide and 6’8” tall, with easy access from the inside (no special tools or keys required).
Stairs and Guards
Front: What are the minimum requirements for stairways and guards?
Explanation: Stairs are a significant safety hazard. The handrail provides support and reduces the risk of falls. Proper tread depth and guard height are important to prevent accidents and ensure safety, especially in homes with children.
Back: Any stairway with 4 or more risers should have a handrail on at least one side. The minimum height for guards is 36 inches, and for stair treads, the minimum depth is 10 inches.
Surface Drainage
Front: What is the correct slope for surface drainage around a house?
Explanation: Proper surface drainage helps direct water away from the home’s foundation. If the grading is insufficient, water can pool around the house, potentially leading to foundation damage and moisture issues.
Back: The ground should slope at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet away from the house to ensure proper drainage.
What’s Not Required to Inspect?
Front: Which of the following is NOT required to be inspected by home inspectors?
Explanation: While home inspectors are responsible for a wide range of inspections, certain elements, such as solar panels and swimming pools, are typically outside their scope unless specified by local regulations or requested by the client.
Back: Solar systems, septic systems, underground utilities, recreational equipment, and swimming pools are not required by standards.
Vegetation & Contact with Exterior Materials
Front: What issues can dense vegetation cause?
Explanation: Vegetation that touches the exterior walls can trap moisture, which accelerates wood decay or provides entry points for pests. It’s important to maintain a clearance between vegetation and the home’s exterior.
Back: Vegetation in contact with exterior walls can lead to moisture intrusion, rot, or pest infestations.
What components are included in the exterior inspection of a home?
The exterior inspection includes
- exterior wall-covering materials,
- eaves,
- soffits,
- fascia,
- a representative number of windows,
- all exterior doors,
- flashing and trim,
- adjacent walkways and driveways,
- stairs,
- steps,
- stoops,
- stairways,
- ramps,
- porches,
- patios,
- decks,
- balconies,
- carports,
- railings,
- guards,
- handrails,
- vegetation,
- surface drainage,
- retaining walls,
- grading.
What should the inspector describe when inspecting exterior wall-covering materials?
A: The inspector should describe the type of exterior wall-covering materials, such as wood siding, aluminum, vinyl, asbestos cement shingles, plywood, stucco, brick, stone masonry, or an exterior insulation and finish system.
What are common issues with wooden exterior components?
A: Wooden components are prone to rot, especially when installed near grade or just under the roofline. Common problems include peeling, blistering, checking paint, and rotting trim and flashings due to improper installation.
What is the recommended clearance for wood elements from the grade or ground surface?
A: In areas with little snow, wood elements should be at least 8 inches above the grade. In areas with significant snow, the clearance should be no less than the average snow depth.
What are the risks associated with damaged eaves, soffits, and fascia?
A: Damaged eaves, soffits, and fascia can allow moisture, such as rain or snow, into the attic and walls, leading to insulation damage, mold growth, and deterioration of the structure.
What should be checked regarding exterior windows and doors?
A: All exterior doors should be inspected, and a representative number of windows should be inspected from the exterior. The inspector should ensure that the main egress door is at least 3 feet wide and 6 feet 8 inches tall, and that it opens without the need for a tool or key.
What are the standards for stairways and handrails?
A: Stairways with four or more risers should have a handrail on at least one side, with a height between 34 and 38 inches. The minimum riser height is 4 inches, and the minimum tread depth is 10 inches.
What is the required design strength for guards and handrails?
A: The design strength of a guard should resist a 200-pound concentrated load applied at any point along the handrail or top of the guard. Guards are required for elevated floor areas more than 30 inches above the ground.
What are the requirements for surface drainage around a home?
A: The ground surrounding the house should slope at least 6 inches within the first 10 feet to ensure proper drainage away from the foundation. The slope should direct water to appropriate drainage devices.
What components are NOT required to be inspected by home inspectors?
A: Inspectors are not required to inspect or operate screens, storm windows, shutters, fences, outbuildings, or exterior lighting. They also don’t inspect underground utilities, recreational equipment, seawalls, swimming pools, septic systems, or determine the integrity of window seals.
The home inspector _____ to inspect soil conditions.
a) is not required
b) is expected
c) is required
a) is not required
Rationale: Soil condition are not reqiured to be inspected.
The exterior wall-covering materials _____ the scope of a home inspection.
a) are beyond
b) are within
c) are not part of
d) are not within
b) are within
Rationale: They are part of a home inspection according to the Standards of Practice.
T/F: The home inspection includes checking the walkways and driveways.
a) True
b) False
a) True
Rationale: Those two are part of the standards.
The inspector shall report upon _____.
a) a pool’s condition
b) proper riser height
c) improper spacing between spindles at the guardrail
d) a tree located in the far rear yard
c) improper spacing between spindles at the guardrail
Rationale: Inspectors must report improper spacing between spindles at the guardrail as it affects safety. Other options like pools, trees, and riser height are not always required in this context.
An inspector is not required to report on the siding’s _____.
a) color
b) material
c) flashings
d) condition
a) color
Rationale: The inspector is not required to report on the color of the siding. The focus is on material, flashings, and condition.
An inspector should report on vegetation around the home when it may adversely affect the structure due to _____.
a) bad soil
b) moisture intrusion
c) poor planting practices
d) structural integration
b) moisture intrusion
Rationale: Moisture intrusion is the concern and mentioned within the Standards.
An inspector is required to report all of the following elements of a deck, except its _____.
a) railings
b) spacing between spindles
c) furniture
d) guards
e) steps
c) furniture
Rationale: Furniture is not withing the scope of a home inspection.
