Structural Systems Inspection Flashcards
7 cards from real CHI 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 Inspection flashcards as text
An inspector observes that a main carrying beam in the basement is supported at its center by a wood post resting on an unreinforced concrete pad. What is the concern?
Answer: The pad may be undersized for the load and can crack or sink, causing the beam to deflect
An improperly sized or unreinforced footing pad can crack and settle under point loads, compromising the mid-span support of the beam.
What is the purpose of anchor bolts embedded in a concrete foundation wall?
Answer: To attach the mudsill to the foundation and resist uplift and lateral forces
Anchor bolts mechanically connect the wood mudsill to the concrete foundation, resisting wind uplift and lateral seismic or wind forces.
During an inspection, the home inspector finds that a load-bearing exterior wall has been constructed with 2×4 studs at 24 inches on center in a two-story home. What concern does this raise?
Answer: 2×4 studs at 24 inches OC may not meet IRC span and load requirements for load-bearing walls in a two-story structure
IRC tables specify stud size, spacing, and height requirements based on loads; 2×4 studs at 24-inch spacing may be under-capacity for two-story bearing walls depending on species and load.
What does the term 'telltale' refer to in the context of foundation crack monitoring?
Answer: A device or marking applied across a crack to detect whether movement is continuing or has stabilized
A telltale is a reference mark or device placed across a crack that shows whether the crack is actively growing (active) or stable (dormant).
An inspector discovers that roof rafters are pulling away from the wall top plate. What is the most likely cause?
Answer: Inadequate rafter-to-plate connections or missing hurricane ties allowing uplift forces to separate the joint
Rafters pulling away from the top plate indicates that the toe-nail connection or metal connector was insufficient to resist wind uplift or rafter thrust.
What is the most appropriate inspector action when structural deficiencies are beyond the scope of a standard home inspection?
Answer: Recommend evaluation and repair by a licensed structural engineer
When structural conditions exceed the home inspector's expertise, the standard of care requires referring the client to a qualified structural engineer for further evaluation.
Which condition in a wood-framed floor system would MOST indicate the need for structural repair rather than cosmetic correction?
Answer: Floor joists with more than one-third of their depth removed by improper boring near mid-span
Boring more than one-third of a joist's depth at mid-span significantly reduces its bending capacity and constitutes a structural deficiency requiring repair.