ITAZ RQ: Exteriors Flashcards
Exteriors:
List three main functions of exterior cladding.
- Protect the building structure and interior from damage due to water and snow, wind, pests and mechanical damage
- Provide reasonable security
- Enhance the appearance of the house
Exteriors:
List five common problems that are found on all wall systems.
- Water penetration
- Too close to grade
- Too close to roofs
- Planters and gardens against the wall
- Vines
Exteriors:
What are the implications of missing weep holes on brick veneer walls?
- Water getting into the structure
- Spalling of the lower masonry units in a wall
Exteriors:
List seven common problems with masonry walls.
- Efflorenscence
- Spalling
- Cracking
- Mortar deterioration
- Missing weep holes or flashings
- Mechanical damage
- Bowing walls
Exteriors:
Describe efflorescence. What is it? What causes it?
- Efflorscence is a salt deposit on a masonry or concrete surface that is associated with water moving through walls.
- The deposits are usually whitish (can be green or brown) and often project one-quarter to half an inch out from the wall if protected from rain and mechanical abrasion
Exteriors:
Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in what direction in masonry walls?
- Horizontal cracks radiating out from the top corners of the opening
Exteriors:
Stucco is made up of __________.
- Cement, aggregate and water
Exteriors:
Describe how you would determine whether stucco is over wood or masonry.
- Tap on it.
Exteriors:
Where are soffits and fascia typical found?
- Enclosing the rafter ends at the roof overhang
Exteriors:
What materials are commonly used for soffits and fascia?
- Wood
- Alumninum
- Fiber-cement
- Hardboard
- OSB
- Plywood
- Vinyl
Exteriors:
List four common problems with soffits and fascia.
- Loose or missing pieces
- Rot
- Damaged
- Paint/stain needed
Exteriors:
List 12 common problems with doors and windows.
- Rot
- Damage
- Paint/stain
- Caulking and flashing problems
- Putty (glazing compound) problems
- Sill slope
- Deteriorated sills
- Frame deformation
- Storm windows and screens missing or damaged
- Cracked or broken glass
- Condensation between panes
- Vines
Exteriors:
Give three examples of where flashings would typically be found on exterior walls.
- Where walls meet roofs (step and counter flashings)
- Over windows (head flashing)
- Bottom of walls (to direct water out of the wall cavities and/or protect the bottom edge of siding)
Exteriors:
List six common problems with caulking, trim and flashings.
- Missing flashings
- Ineffective or incomplete flashings
- Loose
- Rust
- Rot
- Missing or ineffective caulking
Exteriors:
Why is common sense so important with respect to evaluating exterior trim and flashings? Discuss a general strategy for inspecting trim and flashings.
- Because not all trim/flashings cause water build up/damage. One must look at all siding for style and installation (uneven, etc) and identify and worrisome points.
- For example, horizontal trim/flashings that are sitting proud can cause water build up. A bead of caulking that forms a sloped shoulder helps to drain water off and protect the joint.
Exteriors:
Rise is usually _____________ , and tread depth is typically ________________ .
- 7 3/4 inches
- 10 inches
Exteriors:
The top step or landing should be _______ inches below the door sill.
- 6 inches
Exteriors:
Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies more than ______ inches above trade.
24 or 30
Exteriors:
The openings between ruling spindles should not be greater than _______ inches.
- 4
Exteriors:
Why shouldn’t you align a beam with a gutter to check for sag?
- Because gutters should never be straight across the face of a structure since they have to slope to work.
Exteriors: Beams should be mechanically fastened to their supporting members. (True or False)
- True
Exteriors:
In what two ways might installing joists with hangers be considered superior to toe-nailing them to beams?
- To protect from uplift
- To be restrained from twisting
Exteriors:
Describe the proper way to flash a ledger board installed over siding.
- Attach to a wood frame structure by lag bolts into studs or the rim joist every 24 inches. For concrete or masonry foundation, you may see bolts set into lead plugs or masonry screws.
Exteriors:
Where to the deck boards often rot first?
- Joists and beams
Exteriors:
It’s a good idea to have a 6 inch step up into the house from the porch, deck, or patio floor. Why is this?
- To avoid water/snow buildup from entering/flooding the home.
Exteriors:
Why should there be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage?
- To avoid automobile fumes from entering the house
Exteriors:
Most garage floors are not structural. (True or False)
- True
Exteriors:
A good concrete garage floor slab is usually at least ______ inches thick and has _____ inches of gravel beneath it.
- 3 inches thick (some areas it is required to be 4 inches)
- 5 inches (of well compact gravel or clear stone)
Exteriors:
Which way should garage floors slope?
- To the street / away from the house / Toward the garage door to a drain if below grade
Exteriors:
Why should the end of the drain pipe in a driveway drain turn down?
- To minimize debris getting caught in it
Exteriors:
What is the recommended way to test the automatic reverse on a garage door opener?
- By placing a 2 inch block on the floor at the midpoint of the door
Exteriors:
What are the implications of cracked, broken, settled or heaved garage floors?
- Can result in change of slope directions causing water to pool or to flow against the sidewalls away from the exit.
Exteriors:
List four problems to look for on a typical sectional garage door.
- Electrical connection
- Opening/closing issues
- Auto Reverse
- Stopping point
- Auto stop
- Secure installation
- Manual stop
Exteriors:
If the garage door isn’t closing all the way and is stopping approximately 2 inches from the bottom, what does this signify?
- There is an adjustment problem on the closing limit.
Exteriors:
What is the commonly recommended slope for ground around a house?
- Six inches for the first 10 feet
Exteriors:
Slope is likely less important if the ground surface is: sand or asphalt?
- Sand
37- Bad grading will always cause wet basements. (True or False)
- False
