ASHI Foundations & Basements Flashcards

Which type of crack in a poured concrete foundation wall is most likely to indicate structural movement?

Answer: Horizontal crack near mid-height of the wall

Horizontal cracks near mid-height are caused by lateral soil pressure exceeding the wall's bending resistance, indicating structural failure.

What does a stair-step crack in a block foundation wall most commonly indicate?

Answer: Differential settlement causing the wall to move along mortar joints

Stair-step cracks follow mortar joints and are a classic sign of differential settlement, where one part of the foundation moves more than an adjacent part.

According to ASHI Standards of Practice, which of the following is within the scope of a foundation inspection?

Answer: Visually inspecting the accessible portions of the foundation

ASHI limits the inspection to visual examination of accessible areas; excavation, testing, and measuring below grade are outside the SOP scope.

Efflorescence on basement walls is primarily a sign of:

Answer: Water moving through the masonry and depositing mineral salts

Efflorescence is the white mineral deposit left behind when water carrying dissolved salts migrates through the masonry and evaporates at the surface.

What is the purpose of a footing drain (perimeter drain) around a foundation?

Answer: To collect and redirect groundwater away from the foundation before it can create hydrostatic pressure

Footing drains reduce hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls by collecting and channeling groundwater to daylight or a sump.

An inspector observes inward bowing of a block foundation wall with horizontal cracking. The appropriate action is to:

Answer: Report it as a significant structural deficiency and recommend immediate evaluation by a structural engineer

Inward bowing with horizontal cracking is a serious structural condition that requires evaluation by a licensed structural engineer to determine safety and remediation.