ICA Module 1 Section 4

Question 1

What is the function of a footing? A foundation?

Answer 1

To distribute load of building, prevent frost from moving building

Question 2

List 3 common foundation configurations & footing types

Answer 2

basement, crawlspace, slab on grade

Question 3

What is the difference between a strip footing & a pad footing, & where would each be used?

Answer 3

strip runs the perimeter, pad is spaced out, at bottom of foundation

Question 4

There are several different materials that a foundation might be made of. List as many as you can

Answer 4

wood, concrete, concrete block, terracotta

Question 5

Why is it critical to document how the crawlspace was inspected?

Answer 5

If there are limitations & you can’t inspect everything the clients needs to know because there could be concealed damage

Question 6

Explain the difference between a live load & a dead load. Give examples

Answer 6

Dead= weight of building
Live= includes weight of people, snow, wind, rain
EX: people, move around

Question 7

What is the difference between a pilaster & a pier

Answer 7

pilaster used to thicken foundation wall, pier support foundation

Question 8

When a foundation ;is supported on piles, are the piles typically visible for inspection?

Answer 8

No

Question 9

Name 4 causes of cracks in a foundation

Answer 9

settlement, shrinkage, horizontal force, heaving

Question 10

Explain the difference between uniform settlement & differential settlement

Answer 10

not settling at the same time, settling together

Question 11

What is a shrinkage crack & what causes it?

Answer 11

when concrete shrinks, drying/curing of the concrete

Question 12

Describe a typical shrinkage crack

Answer 12

vertical or diagonal

Question 13

What is the main implication of a shrinkage crack?

Answer 13

None

Question 14

If you identify a foundation crack, is it possible to determine the rate of movement at the time of the inspection?

Answer 14

No

Question 15

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?

Answer 15

yes, structure problems, help identify clients house

Question 16

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?

Answer 16

2

Question 17

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

Answer 17

?

Question 18

Cracks due to horizontal forces rarely result in a structural problem. T/F

Answer 18

False

Question 19

Often horizontal forces will cause horizontal cracks in a foundation wall. Why might the crack disappear near the edge of the wall?

Answer 19

walls are restrained

Question 20

In your own words, define lateral support as it applies to foundation

Answer 20

It’s the start for a structure to be supported from moving side to side

Question 21

Why might a damaged foundation wall start to move suddenly after a heavy rain?

Answer 21

rain can cause a lot of pressure against walls

Question 22

Which is stronger, a poured concrete wall or concrete block wall of the same dimensions?

Answer 22

poured

Question 23

In your own words, describe a cold joint as it relates to a concrete foundation

Answer 23

the joint that’s made in the middle from pouring the foundation at two different times

Question 24

The foundation should extend far enough out of the ground that the wood members are not below grade. Why?

Answer 24

wood will rot

Question 25

List 5 structural components of floors, as defined in this unit

Answer 25

sills, columns, beams, joists, subflooring

Question 26

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

Answer 26

carrying the weight of masonry chimneys

Question 27

Floors will bend a little before they break T/F

Answer 27

True

Question 28

Why is wood contact with concrete near or below grade level discouraged?

Answer 28

Rot

Question 29

What is the main function of sills?

Answer 29

connect top of foundation to wood floors from above

Question 30

Why are spotted sills a problem? (3 answers)

Answer 30

settlement in walls & floors above, rotted joists, & studs, no longer anchored to foundation

Question 31

How are sills anchored to foundations?

Answer 31

anchor, bolt

Question 32

List 5 common sill problems

Answer 32

rot, insect damage, crushed, not properly anchored, missing

Question 33

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

Answer 33

beams to footings

Question 34

List 5 common column materials

Answer 34

wood, concrete, concrete block, steel, brick

Question 35

List 12 common column problems

Answer 35

missing, rusting, rotting, leaning, sagging, insect damage

Question 36

Which column materials are susceptible to crushing?

Answer 36

concrete, wood

Question 37

How wide should the top of a column be, relative to the width of the beam above?

Answer 37

for width

Question 38

How may steel columns be fastened to steel beams? (list 3)

Answer 38

bolts, weld, metal tabs

Question 39

What tool, in addition to your eyes, is commonly used to inspect columns?

Answer 39

level

Question 40

Columns are most likely to rot at: A. the top B. the middle C. the bottom

Answer 40

the bottom

Question 41

Beams carry loads from (4 answers) A. floors B. walls C. roofs D. footings E. columns

Answer 41

floors, walls, roofs, columns

Question 42

The 2 most common beam materials are:

Answer 42

wood, steel

Question 43

List 4 types of engineered wood products used for beams

Answer 43

laminated, laminated veneer lumber, laminated strand, parallel strand lumber

Question 44

A beam notched at the top is more likely to cause failure than one notched at the bottom. T/F

Answer 44

False

Question 45

Beams rest on (2 answers)

Answer 45

foundations & columns

Question 46

The ends of beams should have at least _ inches of bearing

Answer 46

3

Question 47

List 14 common beam problems

Answer 47

rot, rust, insect damage, sag, split, poorly connected

Question 48

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

Answer 48

the end

Question 49

Beams sag because they are over _____. Another way saying that they are under _______.

Answer 49

over spanned, under silled

Question 50

Steel beams should be shimmed with wood T/F

Answer 50

False

Question 51

Wood beams should not be supported directly on hollow concrete blocks T/F

Answer 51

True

Question 52

Wood beams in pockets in masonry or concrete walls should have 1/2" of air space around the sides, top, and end. Why?

Answer 52

allow wood to dry

Question 53

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

Answer 53

results from drying, is usually not serious

Question 54

Columns that rest on the midpoint of beam spans may (2 reasons)

Answer 54

overstress the beam, create a concentrated load

Question 55

The function of joists is to (3 answers)

Answer 55

transfer live loads to beams, transfer dead loads to foundations, and transfer live & dead loads directly to columns

Question 56

Name 5 engineered wood products that may replace conventional joists.

Answer 56

tresses, plywood, laminated veneer lumber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand lumber

Question 57

Joists see vertical loads only. T/F

Answer 57

False

Question 58

List 11 common joist problems you will see in inspection:

Answer 58

rot, rust, sagging, twisted, split, damaged, missing

Question 59

Roughly how far can these common joists span if spaced 16" apart? 2x8, 2x10, 2x12

Answer 59

2x8= 111/2', 2x10= 14', 2x12= 16'

Question 60

Joists typically need ____ inches of end bearing when supported by wood.

Answer 60

1 1/2'

Question 61

Joists notched at their end are stronger than normal joists. T/F

Answer 61

False

Question 62

Joists resting on foundation walls at or near grade level are prone to rot. T/F

Answer 62

True

Question 63

List 6 possible joist hanger problems

Answer 63

rust, wrong size, wrong nails

Question 64

How does a ledger board support joists?

Answer 64

bolted to a beam

Question 65

List 4 things that can prevent joist twisting.

Answer 65

sheetrock, strapping w/1/4's, bridging

Question 66

Holes in joists should be near the bottom rather than the middle of the joists. T/F

Answer 66

False

Question 67

What is a cantilever?

Answer 67

weak structural details

Question 68

Outdoor cantilevers are particularly vulnerable to moisture damage. Where is the problem most likely occur and why?

Answer 68

Where they pass through wall, more water

Question 69

Partition walls exert no load on floor joists b/c they are not load-bearing walls. T/F

Answer 69

False

Question 70

Name 3 common subfloor materials

Answer 70

plywood, waferboard, wood paneling

Question 71

Subfloors act like (2 answers) a. joists b. foundations c. columns d. footings e. beams

Answer 71

joists & beams

Question 72

What is one possible disadvantage of diagonal plank subflooring?

Answer 72

spongy

Question 73

Plywood should be installed w/its long dimensional parallel to joists. T/F

Answer 73

False

Question 74

Common subflooring problems include:

Answer 74

bowing, rot, insect damage, damage, cantilevered

Question 75

List 4 common concrete-floor problems

Answer 75

cracked, settled, heaved, hollow below, rusted rebar, spalling

Question 76

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

Answer 76

random

Question 77

How can you tell if slabs have had their support????

Answer 77

hollow sound

Question 78

List 7 functions of walls

Answer 78

hide plumbing/electrical, support drywall, support siding, sound & thermal insulation

Question 79

List 6 materials that may be used for masonry ?????

Answer 79

brick, stone, glass block

Question 80

Masonry walls are strongest in a. compression b. tension c. bending

Answer 80

compression

Question 81

List 7 problems with masonry walls

Answer 81

cracking, leaning, bowing, spalling

Question 82

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?

Answer 82

anchor plates

Question 83

Patched cracks on brick are a sure sign of serious structural movement. T/F

Answer 83

False

Question 84

Bearing walls & partition walls are built in substantially the same way. T/F

Answer 84

True

Question 85

Walls see vertical loads only. T/F

Answer 85

False

Question 86

Openings in partition walls need headers. T/F

Answer 86

False

Question 87

List 5 differences between a bearing wall & partition wall.

Answer 87

not transferring loads (partition), must have support under them(load-bearing), no need for header (partition)

Question 88

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

Answer 88

above windows

Question 89

Longer studs are more susceptible than conventional length studs to a. settling b. rotting c. leaning d. leaking e. bowing/buckling

Answer 89

bowing/buckling

Answer 90

True

Question 91

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

Answer 91

common, often result in minor structural problems

Question 92

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

Answer 92

tough to see on most inspections

Question 93

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

Answer 93

?? sagging lintels, over spanned joists, shrinkage of framing members

Question 94

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

Answer 94

weep holes are often found

Question 95

Give 5 techniques to help differentiate masonry veneer walls from solid masonry walls

Answer 95

weep holes, no masonry arches, weld studs, no header bricks, supported on metal angle

Question 96

List 10 common masonry veneer wall problems.

Answer 96

cracks, bowing, leaning, missing mortar, wavy

Question 97

List 7 common veneer wall problems.

Answer 97

rot, insect damage, damage, bowing, sagging lintels, sagging top plate

Question 98

Masonry veneer is a load-bearing part of the structure T/F

Answer 98

False

Question 99

Briefly describe the functions of arches & lintels

Answer 99

transfer loads of walls over openings to side walls on either side

Question 100

What materials are used for arches?

Answer 100

stone, brick, concrete

Question 101

End bearing for steel lintels in masonry should be at least ___ inches

Answer 101

6

Question 102

End bearing for headers in wood-frame walls should beat least __ inches

Answer 102

1 1/2'

Question 103

8 common arch & lintel problems

Answer 103

cracks, missing, rust, rot, insect damage

Question 104

The top of the exposed edge of a steel lintel should be caulked T/F

Answer 104

False

Question 105

MISSING QUESTION

Answer 105

Rotting?

Question 106

List 5 functions of roof-framing members

Answer 106

carry live loads, carry dead loads, roof covering equipment, lateral support, create attic space

Question 107

Define rafters roof joists, and ceiling joists

Answer 107

rafters= support sheathing & roofing roof joists= supports heating & roofing ceiling joists= horizontal members that work with rafters & ceiling joists

Question 108

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?

Answer 108

To complete triangle

Question 109

How might you tell the difference between roof sheathing sag and rafter sag from the exterior of the house?

Answer 109

sheathing is a repetitive pattern rafters/joists

Question 110

Explain why a ridge beam helps prevent rafter spread

Answer 110

The rafters are tied to the beam adding stability

Question 111

Proper end bearing is required for rafters and ceiling joists. Generally speaking, what is the minimum recommended end bearing?

Answer 111

1 1/2'

Question 112

Give 2 examples of how you might differentiate between a roof leak and a condensation problem in an attic.

Answer 112

Condensation is usually widespread & leavs usually are more localized

Question 113

What is the main function of a collar tie?

Answer 113

Tie rafters together

Question 114

What is the difference between a knee wall and a purlin?

Answer 114

Purlin run perpendicular under rafters, knee wall are posts from floor joists up to rafters

Question 115

What can cause sagging of the top plate on a knee wall?

Answer 115

rafters not lining up with studs below

Question 116

On a roof truss, what is the difference between a chord and a web?

Answer 116

chords from perimeter and web is in between top & bottom chord

Question 117

Why is it common to find sagging of roof sheathing on trusses?

Answer 117

not thick enough

Question 118

Why might a drywall ceiling sag below trusses?

Answer 118

24" center are used with standard drywall

Question 119

There are many different kinds of trusses. List as many as you can.

Answer 119

king, queen, home, fan, special king, 2-2 mono, 3-2 mono, 4-3 mono

Question 120

Where are notches and holes commonly permitted in trusses? a. webs b. chords c. neither

Answer 120

neither

Question 121

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.

Answer 121

strength

Question 122

Give 3 possible causes of sagging sheathes

Answer 122

rot, weight, loose

Question 123

What is FRT plywood & where was it commonly used?

Answer 123

fire retardent plywood, party walls?