ASHI Structural Systems 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What condition would cause a home inspector to report a basement wall as 'bowing inward'?
- Thermal expansion of the masonry in summer heat
- Excessive lateral soil pressure deflecting the wall horizontally (Correct answer)
- Settling of the footing causing the wall base to shift outward
- Improper waterproofing membrane installed on the exterior
Correct answer: Excessive lateral soil pressure deflecting the wall horizontally
Inward bowing of basement walls is caused by excessive lateral earth or hydrostatic pressure that the wall was not designed to withstand.
Question 2: In balloon framing, which is a key difference from platform framing relevant to home inspectors?
- Balloon framing uses engineered lumber exclusively
- Studs run continuously from foundation sill to roof in balloon framing (Correct answer)
- Balloon framing has heavier floor joists than platform framing
- Platform framing requires fire blocking while balloon framing does not
Correct answer: Studs run continuously from foundation sill to roof in balloon framing
Balloon framing uses studs that run the full height of the structure from sill to roof, creating continuous wall cavities that require fire blocking.
Question 3: A home inspector sees a crack running diagonally from the corner of a window opening upward in a brick veneer wall. What does this typically indicate?
- Normal mortar shrinkage after construction
- Differential foundation settlement below that corner of the building (Correct answer)
- Thermal expansion of the brick in direct sunlight
- Moisture infiltration through the window flashing
Correct answer: Differential foundation settlement below that corner of the building
Stair-step or diagonal cracks radiating from window corners in brick veneer are classic indicators of differential foundation settlement.
Question 4: Which observation in a wood-framed floor system indicates an improper alteration?
- Double joists under a partition wall running parallel to them
- A joist with a 3/4-inch diameter pipe hole drilled at its center (Correct answer)
- Solid blocking between joists at bearing points
- Bridging installed in the middle third of a long joist span
Correct answer: A joist with a 3/4-inch diameter pipe hole drilled at its center
Drilling a large hole at the center of a joist (the neutral axis) removes material at a location that, if done improperly, can significantly reduce shear capacity.
Question 5: What is the significance of 'live load' versus 'dead load' in residential structural inspections?
- Live loads are permanent fixtures; dead loads are temporary occupants
- Dead loads are static permanent weights; live loads are variable occupancy and furniture loads (Correct answer)
- Live loads include roof snow; dead loads include wind pressure only
- Dead loads apply only to foundations; live loads apply only to roofs
Correct answer: Dead loads are static permanent weights; live loads are variable occupancy and furniture loads
Dead loads are the permanent, static weight of the structure itself, while live loads are variable loads from occupants, furniture, and environmental forces.
Question 6: An attic inspection reveals that several collar ties have been removed to create storage space. What is the structural implication?
- Reduced insulation effectiveness in the attic
- Increased outward thrust on the walls as rafters spread under roof loads (Correct answer)
- Higher risk of attic condensation
- Weakened connection between the ridge board and rafters
Correct answer: Increased outward thrust on the walls as rafters spread under roof loads
Collar ties resist the horizontal outward thrust that rafters exert on the walls; removing them allows rafters to spread and walls to lean outward.
Question 7: When inspecting a deck, which structural deficiency poses the greatest risk of collapse?
- Deck boards with minor surface checking
- Ledger board attached with screws through the house siding without flashing
- Railing balusters spaced 5 inches apart instead of 4 inches
- Joist hangers installed with half the required nails (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Joist hangers installed with half the required nails
Joist hangers installed with insufficient nails cannot develop their full rated load capacity, dramatically increasing the risk of sudden joist failure and deck collapse.
ASHI Structural Systems 4
What condition would cause a home inspector to report a basement wall as 'bowing inward'?