How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation & Interior

Question 1

Over the course of a year, in a 100-square-foot wall, _________ water can diffuse through drywall without a vapor diffusion retarder.

Answer 1

1 Cup

Question 2

Water shutoff valves should be ___________ so that the water supply can be easily turned off in the event of a plumbing leak.

Answer 2

identified and readily accessible

Question 3

_____ accounts for more than 98% of all water vapor movement in building cavities.

Answer 3

Air movement

Question 4

Basements and ________ should have at least one emergency escape and rescue opening

Answer 4

every sleeping room

Question 5

A _____ is a vapor retarder of a certain class–Class I vapor retarder.

Answer 5

Vapor Barrier

Question 6

A properly designed and installed whole-house ventilation system neither _____ nor _____ a house.

Answer 6

pressurizes….. depressurizes

Question 7

The still air inside insulation is an effective insulator because it helps reduce _______________.

Answer 7

convection

Question 8

A _____ retards the movement of water by vapor diffusion.

Answer 8

Vapor retarder

Question 9

As air warms, its ability to hold water vapor _________________.

Answer 9

increases

Question 10

Within a flight of stairs, the greatest tread depth should not exceed the smallest by more than ______.

Answer 10

3/8 inch

Question 11

Vapor _____ are often applied in the crawlspace of a building to prevent ground moisture from evaporating and traveling up into the home.

Answer 11

retarders

Question 12

_____ provides a controlled way of ventilating a home while minimizing energy loss.

Answer 12

An energy-recovery ventilation system

Question 13

A window used for emergency escape and rescue should have a sill height of not more than ___ inches above the floor.

Answer 13

44”

Question 14

_______ is the transfer of heat energy by electromagnetic wave motion.

Answer 14

Radiation

Question 15

________ is the transfer of heat from one molecule to another, or through one substance to another.

Answer 15

Conduction

Question 16

________ is the transfer of heat by warming the air next to a hot surface and then moving that warm air.

Answer 16

Convection

Question 17

The total R-value for loose fiberglass when you see about 6 inches thick of insulation at the floor of the unfinished attic is approximately _____.

Answer 17

(6 inches x 2.5) = 15 R-value

Question 18

According to the DOE, the minimum R-value for a ceiling in a home located in Zone 5 is _____.

Answer 18

49

Question 19

It is recommended that the insulation installed in an attic covers the tops of the attic floor joists to stop _________.

Answer 19

Thermal Bridging

Question 20

Many builders use common “1/2-inch wood sheathing, which has an R-value of ______.

Answer 20

0.6

Question 21

For an attic space, there should be an opening to that space _____, and a clear, unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the mechanical appliance.

Answer 21

at least 22 inches by 30 inches

Question 22

T/F: Ventilation of attic areas is intended to prevent the accumulation of moisture vapor in the attic-roof space and to dry low levels of condensation that may form on the underside of a roof deck.

Answer 22

True

Question 23

The rule of thumb to remember is to use 1 square foot of net-vent opening for every _____ square feet of insulated ceiling, or 1:____ if the insulation has a vapor diffusion retarder.

Answer 23

150….. 300

Question 24

A common problem inspectors will see is insulation compressed into the eaves area that was done in order to fit it into the tight space, which ______ its R-value.

Answer 24

diminishes

Question 25

_____ is an example of a Class III vapor retarder (greater than 1 perm and less than or equal to 10 perms).

Answer 25

Gypsum board