Exteriors Flashcards
1
Q
What are you not required to inspect
A
Screening, shutters, awnings, seasonal accessories, fences, outbuildings, sea walls,
2
Q
Describe a linear plan
A
One room deep typically not square
3
Q
Describe a massed plan
A
Two or more rooms deep
4
Q
Describe a salt box
A
One and a half room is deep
5
Q
What are window sliders also called
A
Frame around glass called a sash
6
Q
How high should siding be from the ground
A
6 to 8 inches
7
Q
What is a drip screed
A
Like a flashing underneath siding
8
Q
What is no heading bricks a sign of
A
Brick veneer
9
Q
How does brick veneer drain
A
1 inch gap in between with weep holes at windows (rope wicks)
10
Q
How often are header brick rows
A
Every seven rows
11
Q
What kind of cleaning should not be done to brick
A
Sandblasting
12
Q
What does sandblasting brick do
A
Strips outer layer and makes it vulnerable to freeze the damage
13
Q
How high above grade should brick be kept
A
6 inches with an angle iron support
14
Q
How high above grade should stucco be kept
A
8 inches
15
Q
 What should a buyer be wary of with the basement oil tanks
A
They are expensive to fix
16
Q
What do short and long pipes on the wall indicate for oil tanks
A
Short is a fill pipe and long is a vent
17
Q
What is a proper slope from the house
A
1 inch per foot for at least 6 feet
18
Q
When do you recommend a pressure regulator for a hose bib
A
Above 80 psi
19
Q
How far apart do stair balusters have to be
A
4 inches
20
Q
When is a handrail required on the stairs
A
 after four stairs or 34 to 38 inches high
21
Q
What do you inspect for on decks
A
Deteriorating supports, floorboard spacing, finish stain treatments, wood rot, loose fastenings to house, safety hazards
22
Q
Decks cannot be attached with
A
Toenails
23
Q
Deck Ledger must be attached with
A
Minimum half inch lag screws
24
Q
What are hardware requirements for decks
A
Half inch leg screws, hot dipped galvanized or stainless steel, washers, 2 inches from top and bottom staggered
25
On a deck when is a guard rail required
30 inches above grade
26
On which side of the wall does condensation collect
The cooler side
27
What happens in walls if warm moist air gets through
Sill plates will rot
28
Where do you look on brick veneer walls for weep holes
The bottom
29
What are gutters and downspouts functions
To protect walls from water runoff and ensure dry basement and crawlspace
30
Gutter should be secured how often and discharge how far away from the house
Secured every 2 to 3 feet and discharge 6 feet away from the house
31
How wide are gutters usually
4 to 5 inches
32
Aluminum gutter joints are usually
Riveted and caulked
33
Aluminum gutters lifespan
20 to 25 years
34
Galvanize steel gutter joints are usually assembled this way
Soldered together
35
What is a problem with plastic gutters
Prone to cracking during cold weather
36
What gutters are considered the best
Copper life expectancy 50 to 100 years
37
Common reasons for leaking gutters
Improper slope, connections, installation, elbows, seams, clogged downspout
38
Downspout should be provided how often for gutters
Every 35 to 40 feet
39
In homes before 1950 how were downspout drains connected
To floor drains in basement
40
With integral gutters what is a common repair
Adding a single ply roofing membrane
41
What is an important consideration when dealing with wet basements
Proper lot grading
42
Is any foundation wall completely waterproof
 No
43
Ground around home should slope
6 inches for the first 10 feet away
44
What do mature trees and vegetation on slopes suggest
Little soil movement and their roots prevent erosion
45
Maximum slope for a lot
One vertical 2 horizontal
46
Window wells should have what
Several inches of gravel, a drainage pipe, or a plastic dome cover over top
47
Why is lime based parging better than Portland cement based 
Because it is more permeable. Impermeable parging brakes off in large sections to moisture trapped behind it
48
Impermeable parging causes what
Dampness to rise up the wall above the parging where evaporation can take place
49
In masonry evaporation results in what which causes what
Efflorescence which causes spalling and mortar deterioration
50
Why is spalling and efflorescence OK with parging
Because it is sacrificial material
51
When should siding materials stop above earth surfaces below
6 inches
52
How high above ground should wood siding be
8 inches
53
What is brick made of
Clay or concrete
54
Minimum height brick should be kept above ground
4 inches
55
What binders is mortar a mixture of
Portland cement, lime, masonry cement, sand, water
56
What additives to mortar can enhance cold-weather work ability and at what expense
Calcium chloride at the expense of strength and durability
57
What does mortar do
 prevents moisture penetration, the base for ties
58
What can spalling be caused by
Mechanical damage or freeze thaw action and efflorescence
59
Why can’t you sandblast brick
Removes outer crust and makes it more prone to deterioration
60
What may efflorescence be caused by
Low quality mortars or masonry units for excessive water penetration
61
Which Mortar applications are more durable
Concave joint and v joint
62
Which mortar applications are less durable
Reeked joint and extruded joint
63
What are the two types of artificial stone and how thick are they
Brick substitute (3-4 inches thick)
Veneer type (less than 1 inch thick)
64
What is a common problem with artificial stone
Detachment from the building
65
What can reduce water penetration on concrete block
Painting
66
What is conventional stucco
The exterior equivalent of plaster (cement, lime aggregate and water)
67
Describe stucco
Thin coat of concrete with cement and lime binders
68
What does the amount of maintenance of conventional stucco depend on
The mix of stucco, the path used, the surface
69
What are the steps in which conventional stucco is applied
1) scratch (base coat)
2) brown coat
3) finish coat
70
Stucco tends to stand up better over what kind of walls
Masonry
71
Why is masonry structure better for stucco
Rigidity allows for no flexing so less cracks
72
Where do stucco cracks and bulges often appear and why
Near floor levels because wood framing members shrink most in this area
73
Why is stucco cracking a problem
allows water penetration which may cause structural damage that goes unnoticed
74
What does EIFS stand for
Exterior insulated finish systems (synthetic stucco)
75
Describe synthetic stucco application
Sheeting is covered with foam insulation board. A thin basecoat reinforced with fibreglass mesh, then thin acrylic finish
76
What are common problems with Synthetic stucco
Water trapped behind finish and insulation. Commonly around doors and windows
77
How will wood siding last longer
If the back of the siding has some air circulation
78
How is air circulation provided for wood siding
Nails with roundheads or a shim in between shingles
79
On wood siding what is prone to rot
The tops. Horizontal surfaces should be kept well Stained or painted
80
What may cause splitting of wood siding
 too many nails may prevent natural expansion and contraction
81
How often should all wood outside be stained or painted other than the exceptions which are
3 to 5 years except for Cedar and Redwood
82
On wood siding what does paint blistering and peeling indicate
Moisture problems behind the wall
83
When is total replacement of wood shingles advisable
Once more than 15% need repair
84
What is the problem with hard board OSB in plywood siding
Expands more than wood when wet buckle if tightly nailed
85
What prevents buckling in plywood siding
Using clips or smaller pieces
86
What is needed for hose bibs for expansion
Quarter inch gap between end of siding and mounting block trim
87
What is common to hear on metal siding
Expansion noises when sunlight warms wall of house
88
When may metal siding buckle
If nails are secured too tightly
89
What does PVCs siding stand for
Polyvinyl chloride (vinyl)
90
What is a common problem with vinyl siding
Brittle during the cold and can be punctured or cracked
91
What is a common problem with asphalt shingle siding
Tend to lift curl and be prone to wind damage
92
What did older fibre cement siding contain
Asbestos as fibre
93
How is fibre cement siding applied
With pneumatic nailers
94
What can be a problem with the fibre cement siding
Nails driven too far and not well secured
95
What is a problem with Insel brick siding
Very little insulating value
96
When was insole brick siding commonly used
Between the 1930s and 1950s
97
Describe Insel brick siding
Fibreboard coated with Tar and sprinkled with granular material
98
Why is insulbrick frowned upon buy some insurance companies
It’s combustibility and low quality construction
99
Where do animals usually gain access to attic space
By damaging wooden soffits and facia
100
Is the opening of a door or window required to have flashing when protected by a roof overhang
No
101
How should windowsills be constructed
Sloped so water drains away and a capillary break
102
What is a capillary break
Groove or projection on underside
103
Door thresholds should be how far above grade where snow may accumulate
6 inches
104
What are the differences between porches and decks
Porches have roofs supported by columns and house wall, floorboards can be tongue and groove with roof protection from rain.
Decks have no roofs are supported by posts above grade level, open flooring for water
105
On the window where does the cap flashing go at the sill
Under the J moulding
106
L
H
107
How deep and how high should step treads be
8 1/4 inch deep and 8 inches high and sloped to drain water
108
Step landing should be how big and how much below threshold to avoid water leaking
3‘ x 3‘ and 6 inches below threshold
109
Wooden steps should not be in direct contact with soil because
Minimizes rot an insect damage
110
Why is plywood not a good material for steps
Layers of glue trap moisture which leads to rot
111
How can concrete steps crack or spall
From salt
112
When should railings be provided on a deck
When the deck is more than 24 inches off the ground
113
Openings in railings should be
4 inches or less
114
What height are railings commonly
31 to 38 inches high
115
What is required if there are more than three risers for stairs
A handrail
116
How high do balconies or decks need to be from grade
6 inches
117
What can I springy floor system on a deck because by
Columns are overspanned
118
What should joists and beams rest on under decks
One and a half inch of wood support or on 3 inches of concrete or masonry support
119
Can a board that is lag bolted to the structure support the joist from below deck
Yes. Joist hangers may also be used
120
Ledger board under deck should be secured every
16 to 24 inches with lag bolts
121
How are cantilever decks supported
Joists that extended through the wall
122
What is a problem with cantilever deck’s
Maybe prone to rot and give possible water entry into house
123
Do detached wood frame garages have foundations or footings
Not usually
124
Woodframe garages that sit close to soil may have what problems
with frost action may begin to rot
125
What problems happen on wood frame garage that cause rotting
Misalignment of overhead doors then structural failure
126
Garage walls that connect to homes may be required to have what
Fire separation
127
Minor cracks in garage floor slab are common but what do major cracks indicate
Structural problems or improper base below the concrete
128
Concrete floors in garage should be how thick
3 1/2 inches
129
Garage floor should be sloped or
Have a drain
130
Most common problems with garage doors
Hardware
131
All garage door should 
Reverse if it strikes something or blocks the photo electric sensor and have sensitivity adjustments
132
What Should garage man doors be
Solid exterior type and fire rated and 3/8 thick
133
What can improper slope on a walkway or driveway or landscaping cause
Wet basement problems
134
What may happen if soil is above the top of the foundation wall
Water may leak in to the building
135
Once retaining walls move do they stop
Rarely
136
Poured concrete walls are usually what design
Cantilever type or inverted T
137
How do you cantilevered walls prevent heaving
They are extended below the frost line
138
What are gabions
Wire mesh basket filled with rock retaining walls
139
How can water creep behind window and door trim
Storms or capillary action
140
What is a WRB
Water resistive barrier
141
What is the most common WRB in old homes
15 pound asphalt impregnated building paper or felt paper
142
When are WRBs usually installed
Before windows and doors and their perimeters are flashed with weatherproof flashing strips
143
What redirects water above doors or windows
Cap flashing or head flashing
144
Building paper and plastic housewrap must be
Permeable enough to allow excess moisture inside the house to escape
145
What is done to the lower edge of window trim
It is left uncaulked to leave an escape route for water
146
Lead paint can be found in how many of the house is built before 1940
90%
147
When was lead paint banned in the US and why
1978 it is a neurological toxin
148
What should someone renovating an older house do with possible lead paint
Use test kits
149
How often should wood stain be reapplied
Every 3 to 5 years
150
Bubbling paint can be caused by
Applying while too hot or before the first coat was dry
151
Exterior paint peeling outside of the kitchen or bathroom could indicate
Poor ventilation and an accumulation of moisture on the walls
152
What does paint coming off in large pieces and little pigment on the wood siding indicate
May not have been primed properly
153
What does paint alligator in indicate
Too many layers
154
What does rust in paint indicate
Steel nails instead of galvanized
155
Wood stain surfaces turning gray indicates
Stain not applied soon enough or no UV protection
156
What does peeling paint an open gaps where wood siding butts to trim indicate
Boards absorbed moisture and swelled before they were installed or melt from Greenwood
157
How are clapboards and lap siding installed
Horizontally
158
How are board and batten wood siding installed
Vertically
159
Why are end grains of boards more likely to absorb water
Wood cells and trees are designed to transport water up the trunk of a tree
160
What is recommended with mortar crumbles when scraped by screwdriver
Mortar repaired
161
Why do gaps open up where different materials meet
Materials expand and contract at different rates
162
Mildew commonly grows on what side of houses
Shaded north facing walls
163
Why are redwood inn cedar frequently left unfinished
They contain oils that resist water
164
Describe clapboards
Bevelled wood siding milled from Redwood Cedar or Spruce
165
Shingled joints must be offset how much
One and a half inches every fourth course
166
 How are plywood panel siding installed
Ship lapped. Upper panel edges over that I just below or flashed with metals a flashing
167
Spacing for plywood siding nails
6 inches around perimeter and 10 inches apart in the centre
168
What is a common cause of failure for hardboard plank
Not Painting the backs
169
What is stucco
 Cement and sand plaster over a wire lath base over wood frame
170
What’s the problem with unpainted stucco
It will absorb moisture and wick into the sheathing
171
What is the weep screed
Metal strip at base of exterior walls that seals against moisture and pests
172
stucco should start how high above pavement
2 inches
173
What does stucco cracking indicate
Wall framing moving, foundation settling, seismic activity, stucco shrinkage
174
What do diagonal cracks in stucco indicate above doors and windows
Foundation or framing may be shifting
175
Where do building loads often concentrate
On a header which is a loadbearing member over a door window
176
Bulging or detached stucco may indicate
Water rising up from the foundation or rain water penetration at window flashing
177
What system has rigid foam panels over sheathing and no waterproof layer between sheathing and stucco
EIFS
178
What is an insulation characteristic of masonry walls
Dense and poor at retaining heat
179
What may cause cracking at masonry walls headers
Steel lentil expans at a different rate
180
Deep cracks running from corners can indicate what in masonry walls
Structural problems
181
Mortar erosion deeper than how much should be considered serious
1 inch
182
How should you check if mortar needs to be repaired
Scrape it with a screwdriver and see if it crumbles
183
Butt joints where siding planks butt together should be covered by what in aluminum siding
moulding and end caps but not caulking because it can affect expansion and contraction
184
Why does aluminum siding have a little R-value
It does nothing to stop air leaks. Unless it has plastic wrap underneath
185
Should aluminum siding be grounded
Check building codes
186
What do large numbers of missing or loose cement based shingles suggest
Nails are rusting through
187
What do knot holes, splits, capping indicate in wood trim
Inferior wood was used
188
What can cupping of exterior wood trim be caused by
Not priming backs of trim boards
189
Should all sides of exterior wood trim be primed
Yes
190
Where should fire wood be stored and why
Away from house for fire safety an insect infestation
191
What do wood trim boards lifting indicate
They are nailed into sheathing and not framing
192
What should an overhead service run to
Weatherhead atop of length of rigid conduit
193
Older houses have service cables run to
A porcelain insulator screwed into eaves trim
194
In inspections what do you note about windows
What types of windows, window frame materials, overall condition, single double or triple pane
195
Describe double hung windows
Upper and lower sashes slide open
196
Describe casement windows
Hinged and swing outward
197
Describe Awning windows
Hinged at top bottom swings outward
198
Describe fix windows
They don’t open
199
What are problems with clay soils
Less permeable and more likely to become saturated so as they expand and contract it can raise and lower houses
200
What is there to look out for with houses built near slopes
Slopes can exert lateral pressure on foundation walls from water
201
Concrete and block retaining walls need weep holes every
4 to 8 feet
202
If a retaining wall is taller than how much should it be designed by an engineer
4 feet
203
Of all driveway materials which is the most difficult to repair and why
Concrete because it cures into a monolithic slab. patches will be obvious
204
When do concrete driveway cracks suggest improper base protection
Cracks above half an inch with Crumbling materials and low spots
205
What should all pools and spas have
Anti entrapment drain cover and self-closing gate fence 4 feet high
206
Difference between awning and hopper windows
Awning extends outside
Hopper extends inside
207
Describe casement windows
Pivots horizontally in or out
208
When is brick spalling often a problem
With bricks that have a tough glazed finish and soft permeable core
209
What does a uniform pattern of holes on exterior surfaces mean
Insulation has been added
210
Describe jalouses or Louvre windows
Look like blinds
211
What prevents siding/wall damage at the bottom edge of roofs
Kickout
212
Describe linear vs massed plan
Linear is one room deep
Massed plan is two or more
213
What is a salt box plan
1 1/2 rooms deep
214
Joints in wood siding should be
Staggered and in front of studs
215
Ductwork in a garage should be
Sealed and no registers. Gases could be sucked into house of furnace turns off from differential pressure
216
How far away from the house should trees be
10 feet ideally
217
At what temperature do you risk damaging the compressor of an ac unit
18
218
What settling issues can clay soil cause
They are less permeable so they can expand and contract and raise and lower houses
219
Concrete and block walls need weep holes every
4-8 feet
220
A retaining wall should be designed by an engineer if above
4 feet
221
Which driveway material is the most difficult to repair and why
Concrete because it cures into a slab. Patches will be obvious
222
What do 1/2”+ concrete driveway cracks with crumbling materials and low spots indicate
Improper base
223
Pools and spas should have
Fenced with a self closing gate 4’ high and an anti entrapment cover
224
Which kinda of windows have insulation problems and why
Double hung. Mechanisms are not insulated
225
3 types of protruding exterior windows
Bow
Bay
Oriel
226
How much clearance of vegetation from walls
12”
227
What do sill plates sit on
Sill gaskets to prevent moisture wicking
228
Building paper and house wrap moisture characteristics
Water resistant outside, permeable enough inside to let moisture out
229
Brick veneer or solid brick = lintels and archs
Veneer= lintels
Solid= arch
230
How can lintels result in cracked bricks
Rust expands steel
231
Layers of EIFS
Sheathing, polystyrene foam, fastener, glass fibre mesh, base coat, finish
232
Tudor style stucco problems
Water gets caught in cross members
233
Z flashings
Go in between sheathing and panel siding to let water escape at joints
234
How high of a threshold from exterior doors
6”
235
Grading slopes for driveways and lawns
Driveway 1:48
Lawn 1:12
236
What is a swale
Diverts water around house
237
What could a j flashing on foundation indicate
Insulation behind foundation wall
238
What two things can prevent water build up against foundation wall
Drainage tile and damp proofing
239
What is a French drain
Gravel pit underground for downspouts (15 feet away)
240
What could direct water back to a foundation wall with a house with proper grade slope in yard
Different soil types
241
What are weak spots in pavement with sealant
Control joints to control where cracks occur
242
Are semidetached homes more common in rural or urban
Urban
243
What can large roof overhangs reduce
Ice damning
244
Are asphalt shingles installed on walls the same way as roofs
No
245
6 systems to inspect on exterior
1. Heat/AC
2. Structure
3. Electrical
4. Plumbing
5. Insulation
6. Heating
246
Wall assemblies from inside out
1. Interior finish (drywall)
2. Vapour barrier (interior side in cold climates)
3. Structural members
4. Sill gasket
5. Insulation
6. Sheathing
7. Flashing
8. Building paper or house wrap
8. Siding
247
Are semidetached homes more common in rural or urban environments
Urban
