ICA Module 1 Section 4 Flashcards
What is the function of a footing? A foundation?
To distribute load of building, prevent frost from moving building
List 3 common foundation configurations & footing types
basement, crawlspace, slab on grade
What is the difference between a strip footing & a pad footing, & where would each be used?
strip runs the perimeter, pad is spaced out, at bottom of foundation
There are several different materials that a foundation might be made of. List as many as you can
wood, concrete, concrete block, terracotta
Why is it critical to document how the crawlspace was inspected?
If there are limitations & you can’t inspect everything the clients needs to know because there could be concealed damage
Explain the difference between a live load & a dead load. Give examples
Dead= weight of building
Live= includes weight of people, snow, wind, rain
EX: people, move around
What is the difference between a pilaster & a pier
pilaster used to thicken foundation wall, pier support foundation
When a foundation ;is supported on piles, are the piles typically visible for inspection?
No
Name 4 causes of cracks in a foundation
settlement, shrinkage, horizontal force, heaving
Explain the difference between uniform settlement & differential settlement
not settling at the same time, settling together
What is a shrinkage crack & what causes it?
when concrete shrinks, drying/curing of the concrete
Describe a typical shrinkage crack
vertical or diagonal
What is the main implication of a shrinkage crack?
None
If you identify a foundation crack, is it possible to determine the rate of movement at the time of the inspection?
No
Is it a good idea to inspect the neighborhood as you are arriving at an inspection. What kinds of things should you look for and how can they help you in your inspection?
yes, structure problems, help identify clients house
In general, which crack would be more serious? A crack that has moved in one place or a crack that has moved in 2 different planes?
2
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a settlement problem and a heaving problem. Give a few examples of how you would distinguish between the two
?
Cracks due to horizontal forces rarely result in a structural problem. T/F
False
Often horizontal forces will cause horizontal cracks in a foundation wall. Why might the crack disappear near the edge of the wall?
walls are restrained
In your own words, define lateral support as it applies to foundation
It’s the start for a structure to be supported from moving side to side
Why might a damaged foundation wall start to move suddenly after a heavy rain?
rain can cause a lot of pressure against walls
Which is stronger, a poured concrete wall or concrete block wall of the same dimensions?
poured
In your own words, describe a cold joint as it relates to a concrete foundation
the joint that’s made in the middle from pouring the foundation at two different times
The foundation should extend far enough out of the ground that the wood members are not below grade. Why?
wood will rot
List 5 structural components of floors, as defined in this unit
sills, columns, beams, joists, subflooring
All of these may be floor functions EXCEPT
a. transferring live & dead loads to the foundation
b. providing lateral support for foundation walls
c. carrying the weight of masonry chimneys
carrying the weight of masonry chimneys
Floors will bend a little before they break T/F
True
Why is wood contact with concrete near or below grade level discouraged?
Rot
What is the main function of sills?
connect top of foundation to wood floors from above
Why are spotted sills a problem? (3 answers)
settlement in walls & floors above, rotted joists, & studs, no longer anchored to foundation
How are sills anchored to foundations?
anchor, bolt
List 5 common sill problems
rot, insect damage, crushed, not properly anchored, missing
Columns transfer live & dead loads from:
A. joists to footings
B. beams to footings
C. joists to soil directly
D. subfloors to joists
E. subfloors to footings
beams to footings
List 5 common column materials
wood, concrete, concrete block, steel, brick
List 12 common column problems
missing, rusting, rotting, leaning, sagging, insect damage
Which column materials are susceptible to crushing?
concrete, wood
How wide should the top of a column be, relative to the width of the beam above?
for width
How may steel columns be fastened to steel beams? (list 3)
bolts, weld, metal tabs
What tool, in addition to your eyes, is commonly used to inspect columns?
level
Columns are most likely to rot at:
A. the top
B. the middle
C. the bottom
the bottom
Beams carry loads from (4 answers)
A. floors
B. walls
C. roofs
D. footings
E. columns
floors, walls, roofs, columns
The 2 most common beam materials are:
wood, steel
List 4 types of engineered wood products used for beams
laminated, laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand, parallel strand lumber
A beam notched at the top is more likely to cause failure than one notched at the bottom. T/F
False
Beams rest on (2 answers)
foundations & columns
The ends of beams should have at least _ inches of bearing
3
List 14 common beam problems
rot, rust, insect damage, sag, split, poorly connected
Where is rust MOST likely to be found on a steel beam?
a. the top
b. the end
c. the middle
d. in the web only
the end
Beams sag because they are over _____. Another way saying that they are under _______.
over spanned, under silled
Steel beams should be shimmed with wood T/F
False
Wood beams should not be supported directly on hollow concrete blocks T/F
True
Wood beams in pockets in masonry or concrete walls should have 1/2” of air space around the sides, top, and end. Why?
allow wood to dry
Checking of wood beams (2 answers)
a. indicates failure
b. requires repair, but not replacement
c. results from drying
d. is usually not serious
e. indicates fire damage
results from drying, is usually not serious
Columns that rest on the midpoint of beam spans may (2 reasons)
overstress the beam, create a concentrated load
The function of joists is to (3 answers)
transfer live loads to beams, transfer dead loads to foundations, and transfer live & dead loads directly to columns
Name 5 engineered wood products that may replace conventional joists.
tresses, plywood, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand lumber
Joists see vertical loads only. T/F
False
List 11 common joist problems you will see in inspection:
rot, rust, sagging, twisted, split, damaged, missing
Roughly how far can these common joists span if spaced 16” apart?
2x8, 2x10, 2x12
2x8= 111/2’, 2x10= 14’, 2x12= 16’
Joists typically need ____ inches of end bearing when supported by wood.
1 1/2’
Joists notched at their end are stronger than normal joists. T/F
False
Joists resting on foundation walls at or near grade level are prone to rot. T/F
True
List 6 possible joist hanger problems
rust, wrong size, wrong nails
How does a ledger board support joists?
bolted to a beam
List 4 things that can prevent joist twisting.
sheetrock, strapping w/1/4’s, bridging
Holes in joists should be near the bottom rather than the middle of the joists. T/F
False
What is a cantilever?
weak structural details
Outdoor cantilevers are particularly vulnerable to moisture damage. Where is the problem most likely occur and why?
Where they pass through wall, more water
Partition walls exert no load on floor joists b/c they are not load-bearing walls. T/F
False
Name 3 common subfloor materials
plywood, waferboard, wood paneling
Subfloors act like (2 answers)
a. joists
b. foundations
c. columns
d. footings
e. beams
joists & beams
What is one possible disadvantage of diagonal plank subflooring?
spongy
Plywood should be installed w/its long dimensional parallel to joists. T/F
False
Common subflooring problems include:
bowing, rot, insect damage, damage, cantilevered
List 4 common concrete-floor problems
cracked, settled, heaved, hollow below, rusted rebar, spalling
Shrinkage crack patterns in concrete?????
a. circles
b. in straight lines
c. random
d. at 45 degrees to walls
e. at 90 degrees to walls
random
How can you tell if slabs have had their support????
hollow sound
List 7 functions of walls
hide plumbing/electrical, support drywall, support siding, sound & thermal insulation
List 6 materials that may be used for masonry ?????
brick, stone, glass block
Masonry walls are strongest in
a. compression
b. tension
c. bending
compression
List 7 problems with masonry walls
cracking, leaning, bowing, spalling
You see large metal plates or stars on the outside of the masonry walls at the top of the first-floor level of an older two-story building. Why are these here?
anchor plates
Patched cracks on brick are a sure sign of serious structural movement. T/F
False
Bearing walls & partition walls are built in substantially the same way. T/F
True
Walls see vertical loads only. T/F
False
Openings in partition walls need headers. T/F
False
List 5 differences between a bearing wall & partition wall.
not transferring loads (partition), must have support under them(load-bearing), no need for header (partition)
Where is condensation damage likely to be worst?
a. above windows
b. top of windows
c. corners of walls
d. midpoint of walls
e. bottom of walls
above windows
Longer studs are more susceptible than conventional length studs to
a. settling
b. rotting
c. leaning
d. leaking
e. bowing/buckling
bowing/buckling
True
Offset bearing walls (2 answers)
a. asset
b. serious structural problem
c. common
d. often result in minor structural problems
e. must always be parallel to joists
common, often result in minor structural problems
Missing fire stopping (3)
a. is more common on balloon frame than platform construction
b. fire hazard
c. tough to see on most inspections
d. only found in masonry houses
e. never found in masonry houses
tough to see on most inspections
Interior wall cracks radiating up from top of windows may mean
a. sagging lintels
b. foundation settlement
c. overs panned joists
d. lack of wall sheathing
e. shrinkage of framing members
?? sagging lintels, over spanned joists, shrinkage of framing members
In masonry veneer walls
a. masonry is roughly 1 inch thick
b. masonry supported primarily by wood framing
c. header courses are found every 7th row
d. weep holes are often found
e. metal ties are never used
weep holes are often found
Give 5 techniques to help differentiate masonry veneer walls from solid masonry walls
weep holes, no masonry arches, weld studs, no header bricks, supported on metal angle
List 10 common masonry veneer wall problems.
cracks, bowing, leaning, missing mortar, wavy
List 7 common veneer wall problems.
rot, insect damage, damage, bowing, sagging lintels, sagging top plate
Masonry veneer is a load-bearing part of the structure T/F
False
Briefly describe the functions of arches & lintels
transfer loads of walls over openings to side walls on either side
What materials are used for arches?
stone, brick, concrete
End bearing for steel lintels in masonry should be at least ___ inches
6
End bearing for headers in wood-frame walls should beat least __ inches
1 1/2’
8 common arch & lintel problems
cracks, missing, rust, rot, insect damage
The top of the exposed edge of a steel lintel should be caulked T/F
False
MISSING QUESTION
Rotting?
List 5 functions of roof-framing members
carry live loads, carry dead loads, roof covering equipment, lateral support, create attic space
Define rafters roof joists, and ceiling joists
rafters= support sheathing & roofing
roof joists= supports heating & roofing
ceiling joists= horizontal members that work with rafters & ceiling joists
Ceilings joists are often not continuous from one side of the building to the other. In this case, they are spliced over a central bearing wall. Why do they have to be securely tied together?
To complete triangle
How might you tell the difference between roof sheathing sag and rafter sag from the exterior of the house?
sheathing is a repetitive pattern rafters/joists
Explain why a ridge beam helps prevent rafter spread
The rafters are tied to the beam adding stability
Proper end bearing is required for rafters and ceiling joists. Generally speaking, what is the minimum recommended end bearing?
1 1/2’
Give 2 examples of how you might differentiate between a roof leak and a condensation problem in an attic.
Condensation is usually widespread & leavs usually are more localized
What is the main function of a collar tie?
Tie rafters together
What is the difference between a knee wall and a purlin?
Purlin run perpendicular under rafters, knee wall are posts from floor joists up to rafters
What can cause sagging of the top plate on a knee wall?
rafters not lining up with studs below
On a roof truss, what is the difference between a chord and a web?
chords from perimeter and web is in between top & bottom chord
Why is it common to find sagging of roof sheathing on trusses?
not thick enough
Why might a drywall ceiling sag below trusses?
24” center are used with standard drywall
There are many different kinds of trusses. List as many as you can.
king, queen, home, fan, special king, 2-2 mono, 3-2 mono, 4-3 mono
Where are notches and holes commonly permitted in trusses?
a. webs
b. chords
c. neither
neither
In both plank and panel roof sheathing, vertical joints should not run continuously up one rafter or one truss. Adjacent vertical joints should be staggered. Explain why.
strength
Give 3 possible causes of sagging sheathes
rot, weight, loose
What is FRT plywood & where was it commonly used?
fire retardent plywood, party walls?
