Practice Test Geeks(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test
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Structural Systems Flashcards

7 cards from real ASHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Structural Systems flashcards as text

  1. What does a diagonal crack in a concrete block foundation wall typically indicate?

    Answer: Differential settlement of the foundation

    Diagonal cracks in block foundation walls typically indicate differential settlement, where one area of the foundation sinks more than another.

  2. Which condition in a wood floor system would be MOST concerning to an ASHI inspector?

    Answer: Joists notched at the top of their depth near mid-span

    Notching floor joists near mid-span at the top removes material from the tension zone, critically weakening the structural member.

  3. A home inspector observes that the ridge board sags in the middle of a gable roof. What is the most likely cause?

    Answer: Overspanning ridge board without intermediate support

    A sagging ridge board most commonly results from it being undersized or lacking intermediate structural support, causing it to deflect under roof loads.

  4. What is the purpose of a wall plate (sill plate) anchor bolt?

    Answer: To transfer lateral loads from the wall into the foundation

    Anchor bolts connect the sill plate to the foundation, transferring lateral (horizontal) loads such as wind or seismic forces into the foundation.

  5. An inspector finds that a load-bearing wall has been removed without a beam installed. What is the primary structural concern?

    Answer: Unbraced floor or roof loads now unsupported above

    Removing a load-bearing wall without installing a proper beam leaves the structure above unsupported, which can cause immediate or progressive structural failure.

  6. When inspecting a crawl space, which observation indicates the most serious structural deficiency?

    Answer: Wood posts resting directly on bare soil without footings

    Wood posts bearing directly on soil without footings can settle, shift, or decay, undermining structural support for the floor above.

  7. What does the term 'bearing capacity of soil' refer to in the context of home inspection?

    Answer: The maximum load per unit area that soil can support without failure

    Bearing capacity refers to the maximum pressure that soil can sustain from a foundation before shearing, settling excessively, or failing.