Practice Test Geeks(NHIE) National Home Inspector Examination Practice Test
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Roofing Flashcards

7 cards from real NHIE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Roofing flashcards as text

  1. A home inspector finds granule loss concentrated in streaks running down asphalt shingles. The most likely cause is:

    Answer: Foot traffic damage from prior roof work

    Streaking granule loss typically follows foot traffic patterns where installers or maintenance workers have walked on the roof, abrading the granule surface.

  2. What is the minimum slope generally required for standard 3-tab asphalt shingles without special low-slope installation procedures?

    Answer: 3:12

    Most manufacturers require at least a 3:12 slope for standard asphalt shingle installation; slopes below this need special underlayment and double-coverage methods.

  3. Which underlayment material provides the best water-resistant barrier under slate or tile roofing?

    Answer: Self-adhering modified bitumen membrane

    Self-adhering modified bitumen (peel-and-stick) membranes provide a superior secondary waterproof barrier appropriate under heavy roofing materials with long service lives.

  4. Step flashing is used where:

    Answer: A sloped roof meets a vertical wall

    Step flashing consists of individual L-shaped metal pieces installed one per shingle course where a sloped roof intersects a vertical wall.

  5. During a roof inspection, the inspector notes the wood decking feels spongy underfoot near the eaves. This most likely indicates:

    Answer: Rot from chronic moisture intrusion or ice damming

    Spongy decking near eaves strongly suggests wood rot caused by repeated wetting from ice dams, inadequate ventilation, or long-term leak infiltration.

  6. What does the term 'exposure' mean when applied to asphalt shingles?

    Answer: The portion of each shingle visible after the next course is laid

    Exposure is the weather-exposed portion of a shingle, measured from the bottom edge of one shingle to the bottom edge of the shingle in the course above it.

  7. An inspector sees moss growth covering significant areas of an asphalt shingle roof. The main structural concern is:

    Answer: Moss roots lifting shingles and retaining moisture that accelerates decay

    Moss rhizoids penetrate shingle surfaces, physically lifting and separating granules while retaining moisture that accelerates shingle and deck deterioration.