Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Structural Framing Defects 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A home inspector finds that the rim joist (band joist) around the perimeter of a floor system has multiple large holes cut through it for plumbing and electrical runs. What structural concern does this raise?
- The rim joist provides lateral support to floor joist ends and resists shear; large holes reduce its effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Rim joists are non-structural and holes have no impact on the floor system
- Holes are acceptable in rim joists because floor joists carry all the shear loads
- The concern is limited to energy efficiency, as holes allow air infiltration
Correct answer: The rim joist provides lateral support to floor joist ends and resists shear; large holes reduce its effectiveness
The rim joist caps the floor joist ends, provides diaphragm shear continuity, and resists lateral forces; penetrations weaken this element.
Question 2: What condition is a home inspector describing when they note 'checks' in dimensional lumber framing members?
- Longitudinal surface cracks along the grain caused by uneven drying of the wood (Correct answer)
- Mechanical damage from hammer strikes during installation
- Insect boring damage along the length of the member
- Separation of the wood fibers perpendicular to the grain from overload
Correct answer: Longitudinal surface cracks along the grain caused by uneven drying of the wood
Checks are surface-level cracks running parallel to the grain that develop as lumber dries and shrinks; they are typically acceptable unless they are deep and extensive.
Question 3: A home inspector observes that a long span beam in a great room has a visible camber (upward bow) at mid-span. How should this be interpreted?
- Camber is typically intentional in engineered beams to offset expected deflection under load (Correct answer)
- Upward camber always indicates that the beam is overloaded and about to fail
- Camber indicates the beam was installed upside down and must be replaced
- Any visible bow in a beam is a code violation regardless of direction
Correct answer: Camber is typically intentional in engineered beams to offset expected deflection under load
Engineered beams are often manufactured with a deliberate upward camber so that once loaded, they deflect back to a level or near-level position.
Question 4: When inspecting a home built in the 1960s, a home inspector finds that the roof is framed with rafters but there are no collar ties or ridge beam — only a non-structural ridge board. What is the likely consequence over time?
- Without collar ties, outward thrust causes the walls to spread and the ridge to sag (Correct answer)
- The absence of collar ties only affects the roof's ability to resist snow loads
- Ridge boards alone are sufficient to carry all rafter loads without collar ties
- Non-structural ridge boards are acceptable in warm climates with no snow
Correct answer: Without collar ties, outward thrust causes the walls to spread and the ridge to sag
Without collar ties to resist horizontal thrust, rafter loads push the top of the walls outward, allowing the ridge to drop over time.
Question 5: A home inspector finds that a doubled floor joist supporting a bearing wall above has a large knot located on its tension (bottom) face at mid-span. What is the structural significance?
- Knots on the tension face at mid-span are particularly serious because they significantly reduce tensile strength at the highest-stress location (Correct answer)
- Knots are only a concern on compression members, not tension members
- A doubled joist compensates for any single knot regardless of size or location
- Knots on the bottom face have no structural significance as long as the wood is dry
Correct answer: Knots on the tension face at mid-span are particularly serious because they significantly reduce tensile strength at the highest-stress location
The bottom face of a floor joist at mid-span experiences maximum tensile stress, and a knot there acts as a stress concentration that can initiate fracture.
Question 6: During an attic inspection, a home inspector notices that the roof sheathing is pulling away from the top chord of several trusses. What does this indicate?
- Truss uplift or inadequate fastening of the sheathing to the truss top chord (Correct answer)
- Normal thermal expansion of the sheathing panels during summer heat
- The sheathing was installed with the wrong panel orientation
- Sheathing separation is always caused by pest damage to the truss top chord
Correct answer: Truss uplift or inadequate fastening of the sheathing to the truss top chord
Sheathing pulling away from truss chords indicates either insufficient nailing, truss uplift from seasonal wood movement, or structural distress in the truss.
Question 7: A home inspector finds that a staircase has no visible structural support (carriage or stringer) on the open side — the treads appear to be only attached to the drywall. What is the concern?
- Stair treads attached only to drywall lack adequate structural support and create a fall hazard (Correct answer)
- Floating stair designs without stringers are structurally sound if treads are at least 1.5 inches thick
- The concern is limited to fire separation between the stairwell and adjacent rooms
- Drywall attachment is acceptable for stairs with fewer than 10 risers
Correct answer: Stair treads attached only to drywall lack adequate structural support and create a fall hazard
Stair treads must be supported by structural stringers or carriages; drywall cannot carry the concentrated live loads from foot traffic and represents a serious safety hazard.
Home Inspector Test Home Inspector Structural Framing Defects 5
A home inspector finds that the rim joist (band joist) around the perimeter of a floor system has multiple large holes cut through it for plumbing and electrical runs.
What structural concern does this raise?