Home Inspector Foundation and Basement Inspection Flashcards
6 cards from real Home Inspector Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Home Inspector Foundation and Basement Inspection flashcards as text
Which type of foundation crack is generally considered most serious in a poured concrete foundation?
Answer: Horizontal cracks in the middle of the wall
Horizontal cracks in foundation walls indicate lateral soil or hydrostatic pressure bowing the wall inward, which is a serious structural deficiency requiring professional evaluation.
What is 'efflorescence' and what does it indicate to a home inspector?
Answer: White mineral deposits on masonry surfaces indicating water migration through the wall
Efflorescence is the white crystalline residue left when water carries dissolved salts through masonry and evaporates, indicating past or ongoing moisture intrusion.
A home inspector finds that the grade around the foundation slopes toward the house. What is the recommended minimum slope away from the foundation?
Answer: 6 inches in the first 10 feet
Most building codes require the grade to slope at least 6 inches downward within the first 10 feet from the foundation to direct surface water away from the structure.
What is the purpose of a weep hole in a brick veneer wall?
Answer: Drain water that collects at the base of the wall cavity
Weep holes are open vertical joints at the base of a brick veneer wall that allow any water entering the cavity to drain out rather than accumulate and cause damage.
Which foundation type is most susceptible to moisture intrusion because it sits partially or fully below grade?
Answer: Full or partial basement
Full and partial basements are below grade and are subject to hydrostatic pressure and water infiltration through walls and floor slabs, making moisture management critical.
A home inspector observes stair-step cracking in a brick foundation. This pattern typically indicates:
Answer: Differential settlement of the foundation
Stair-step cracks follow the mortar joints in a diagonal stair-step pattern and are a classic sign of differential settlement, where one portion of the foundation has moved more than another.