Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Structural Framing Defects 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A home inspector finds that floor joists span 14 feet but are only 2x8s at 16 inches on center. The floor feels noticeably springy. What is the MOST likely deficiency?
- The joists are undersized for the span, resulting in excessive deflection (Correct answer)
- Springiness is caused solely by inadequate subfloor thickness
- The joist spacing is too wide but the depth is adequate for the span
- Springy floors always indicate a moisture-damaged subfloor, not joist size
Correct answer: The joists are undersized for the span, resulting in excessive deflection
2x8 joists spanning 14 feet typically exceed allowable span limits, causing deflection beyond acceptable limits and a bouncy floor feel.
Question 2: What is 'blocking' between floor joists primarily intended to accomplish in structural framing?
- Prevent joists from rotating or twisting (lateral buckling) and transfer loads between joists (Correct answer)
- Provide nailing surface for subfloor panels at the perimeter only
- Increase the fire rating of the floor assembly
- Allow plumbing pipes to penetrate the floor without cutting joists
Correct answer: Prevent joists from rotating or twisting (lateral buckling) and transfer loads between joists
Solid blocking or bridging between joists prevents lateral rotation, distributes point loads across multiple joists, and stiffens the floor system.
Question 3: A home inspector observes that a double top plate in a load-bearing wall is only lapped at one corner of the building. What does this indicate?
- The top plate lap joints must be distributed around the building to tie wall sections together for lateral load transfer (Correct answer)
- Double top plates only need to be lapped at corners; a single lap per corner is code-compliant
- Lap joints in the top plate have no structural significance in wood framing
- The top plate only needs to be continuous on exterior walls, not interior load-bearing walls
Correct answer: The top plate lap joints must be distributed around the building to tie wall sections together for lateral load transfer
Top plate laps must be staggered and distributed to continuously tie the wall framing together, transferring lateral forces across the entire perimeter.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'king stud' in window or door framing?
- A full-height stud running from sole plate to top plate alongside a jack stud to support the header (Correct answer)
- A stud that is doubled to carry extra point loads from above
- A stud installed diagonally to provide lateral bracing at openings
- The center stud of a wall panel used as a reference for layout
Correct answer: A full-height stud running from sole plate to top plate alongside a jack stud to support the header
King studs run the full height of the wall on each side of an opening, bearing on the top plate and anchoring the jack studs that directly support the header.
Question 5: A home inspector finds that a steel I-beam used as a basement girder is resting in a pocket in a concrete block foundation wall with only 1 inch of bearing. What is the concern?
- Inadequate bearing length can cause the beam to slip out of the pocket or crush the masonry beneath it (Correct answer)
- Steel beams require no minimum bearing length because they distribute load evenly
- The concern is corrosion at the pocket, not the bearing length
- One inch of bearing is acceptable for beams carrying only residential floor loads
Correct answer: Inadequate bearing length can cause the beam to slip out of the pocket or crush the masonry beneath it
Minimum bearing requirements (typically 3.5 inches for steel beams) ensure the concentrated load is distributed over enough masonry area without crushing or slipping.
Question 6: During an inspection, a home inspector notices that a cantilevered deck ledger is attached to the house rim joist with only 3/8-inch lag screws spaced 24 inches apart. What is the PRIMARY concern?
- The ledger connection is likely undersized to resist the horizontal shear and withdrawal forces from deck loads (Correct answer)
- Lag screw size and spacing are aesthetic choices with no structural implication
- 3/8-inch lags are adequate as long as they penetrate at least 1.5 inches into the rim joist
- The concern is only relevant in high-wind coastal areas
Correct answer: The ledger connection is likely undersized to resist the horizontal shear and withdrawal forces from deck loads
Deck ledger connections must be sized and spaced per code to resist both vertical shear from deck loads and potential uplift, and undersized connections are a leading cause of deck collapses.
Question 7: A home inspector observes compression wrinkles or 'web buckling' in the thin metal webs of manufactured I-joists (TJI joists). What does this indicate?
- The joists have been overloaded or subjected to point loads that exceed their design capacity (Correct answer)
- Web wrinkles are a normal manufacturing variation with no structural significance
- Wrinkled webs only affect acoustic performance, not structural integrity
- Web buckling only occurs in wet conditions and self-corrects when the lumber dries
Correct answer: The joists have been overloaded or subjected to point loads that exceed their design capacity
Web buckling in I-joists indicates the member has been overstressed, compromising its load-carrying capacity and requiring evaluation or replacement.
Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Structural Framing Defects 4
A home inspector finds that floor joists span 14 feet but are only 2x8s at 16 inches on center.
The floor feels noticeably springy.
What is the MOST likely deficiency?