ASHI Exterior & Roofing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum recommended clearance between wood siding and the roof surface to prevent moisture damage?
- 1 inch
- 2 inches (Correct answer)
- 4 inches
- 6 inches
Correct answer: 2 inches
A minimum 2-inch clearance between wood siding and roof surfaces helps prevent moisture wicking and rot.
Question 2: A home inspector observes granule loss concentrated in specific patterns on asphalt shingles. What does this most likely indicate?
- Normal weathering uniformly across the roof
- Hail damage or mechanical impact (Correct answer)
- Improper installation of shingles
- Thermal expansion and contraction
Correct answer: Hail damage or mechanical impact
Patterned or concentrated granule loss is a hallmark sign of hail damage or mechanical impact rather than normal aging.
Question 3: When inspecting a chimney, which condition requires immediate documentation as a safety concern?
- Minor efflorescence on the exterior brick
- Missing or deteriorated mortar cap (Correct answer)
- Slight discoloration of the flashing
- Moss growth on the north-facing side
Correct answer: Missing or deteriorated mortar cap
A missing or deteriorated mortar cap allows water intrusion directly into the chimney, leading to rapid structural and safety deterioration.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a cricket (saddle) installed behind a chimney?
- To provide additional structural support to the chimney
- To divert water away from the chimney base (Correct answer)
- To anchor the chimney flashing to the roof deck
- To improve fireplace draft performance
Correct answer: To divert water away from the chimney base
A cricket or saddle diverts water around the uphill side of the chimney to prevent water from pooling and leaking.
Question 5: An inspector finds that gutters are pitched back toward the fascia rather than toward the downspout. What is the primary concern?
- Reduced water flow capacity
- Water pooling and potential fascia rot (Correct answer)
- Increased risk of ice dam formation
- Gutter separation from the roof edge
Correct answer: Water pooling and potential fascia rot
Gutters pitched toward the fascia cause water to pool against the wood fascia board, leading to rot and potential structural damage.
Question 6: Which roofing material requires the steepest minimum slope for proper installation?
- Architectural asphalt shingles
- Standing seam metal roofing
- Concrete tile roofing
- Wood shake shingles (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Wood shake shingles
Wood shake shingles typically require a minimum 4:12 slope or steeper due to their susceptibility to moisture retention at lower pitches.
Question 7: What condition describes the situation where roof sheathing separates or shows delamination visible at the eave?
- Thermal bridging
- Delaminated sheathing (Correct answer)
- Rafter spread
- Sheathing deflection
Correct answer: Delaminated sheathing
Delaminated sheathing occurs when plywood layers separate due to moisture intrusion, compromising the roof deck's structural integrity.
ASHI Exterior & Roofing 2
What is the minimum recommended clearance between wood siding and the roof surface to prevent moisture damage?