ASHI Structural Systems 4

Question 1

What condition would cause a home inspector to report a basement wall as 'bowing inward'?

Accepted Answer

Excessive lateral soil pressure deflecting the wall horizontally

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Studs run continuously from foundation sill to roof in balloon framing

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Differential foundation settlement below that corner of the building

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

A joist with a 3/4-inch diameter pipe hole drilled at its center

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Dead loads are static permanent weights; live loads are variable occupancy and furniture loads

Answer

Dead loads are the permanent, static weight of the structure itself, while live loads are variable loads from occupants, furniture, and environmental forces.

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

(ASHI) ASHI Certified Home Inspector Practice Test

ASHI Structural Systems 4