Exterior and Grounds Inspection Flashcards
7 cards from real INTERNACHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Exterior and Grounds Inspection flashcards as text
What is the primary reason an inspector checks the slope of an attached garage floor toward the overhead door?
Answer: To ensure vehicles can park without rolling
A garage floor sloped toward the door prevents water, fuel spills, and fumes from pooling inside and also aids drainage away from the house.
An inspector finds that the gap between a wood deck and the house exterior wall is filled with caulk instead of flashing. What is the concern?
Answer: Caulk will eventually fail and allow water intrusion behind the siding
Caulk is a maintenance item that deteriorates over time; proper flashing provides a durable, physical barrier to water at the deck-to-house junction.
When examining exterior trim, which condition is most indicative of long-term water damage rather than recent or cosmetic damage?
Answer: Soft, spongy wood that probes easily with a screwdriver
Wood that is soft and easily penetrated by a probe tool indicates advanced decay where structural integrity of the trim or underlying framing may be compromised.
What is the significance of finding displaced or missing mortar (tuckpointing failure) in a chimney's brick joints?
Answer: Water can penetrate the joints, freeze, expand, and accelerate masonry deterioration
Open mortar joints allow water infiltration; freeze-thaw cycles cause spalling and can eventually compromise chimney structural integrity.
Which of the following best describes proper head flashing installation above an exterior door or window?
Answer: Flashing is installed behind the siding and extends over the top of the door or window casing to shed water outward
Head flashing must be integrated behind the cladding and project over the casing so water is directed outward and away from the opening.
An inspector notes that an exterior receptacle cover closes tightly only when no plug is inserted. Which type of cover should be installed instead?
Answer: Bubble cover (in-use weatherproof cover) that protects plugged-in cords
In-use weatherproof covers (bubble covers) maintain protection when cords are plugged in, which is required for all new outdoor receptacle installations.
What vegetation condition near a foundation should an inspector note as a maintenance concern?
Answer: Large shrubs or trees with roots growing against or under the foundation
Roots from large shrubs or trees can exert pressure on foundation walls and footings, cause cracking, and clog drainage systems.