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
What is the correct installation sequence at the eave for asphalt shingles?
Answer: Drip edge, then underlayment, then starter course
At the eave, drip edge is installed first on the bare deck, followed by underlayment lapped over the drip edge flange, then the starter strip shingles.
Which defect is most associated with improper fastening of asphalt shingles (nails placed too high)?
Answer: Blow-off failure in high winds
Nails placed above the manufacturer's nailing zone (high-nailing) leave the shingle tabs unanchored, making them vulnerable to wind uplift and blow-off.
A home inspector notes that roof sheathing panels have no visible gap between them. Why is this a concern?
Answer: No expansion gap can cause buckling as panels swell with moisture
Wood panel sheathing requires a 1/8-inch expansion gap at joints to accommodate seasonal moisture-related movement and prevent buckling.
When inspecting a tile roof, a home inspector finds several cracked and broken tiles. What is the primary concern beyond the damaged tiles themselves?
Answer: The underlying felt underlayment may be exposed and deteriorating
Tile is a secondary water-shedding layer; the waterproofing system depends on the underlayment beneath, which degrades rapidly once exposed to sunlight and weathering.
A two-story home has a lower roof that terminates against a second-story wall. What type of flashing is required along this horizontal intersection?
Answer: Base and counter flashing with step flashing along the slope
Where a sloped lower roof meets a vertical wall, base flashing is installed on the roof surface and counter (cap) flashing is embedded in the wall, with step flashing at each shingle course.
What condition causes 'cupping' in wood shakes or shingles?
Answer: Greater moisture absorption on the bottom face than the top
Wood shingles cup when the underside absorbs more moisture than the exposed top, causing differential swelling that curls the edges upward.
During a home inspection, the inspector cannot safely access the roof. According to NHIE standards, the inspector should:
Answer: Report the limitation and inspect from the ground using binoculars or a drone if available
Home inspectors are not required to perform unsafe actions; they must document the limitation, describe the reason, and report whatever can be observed from a safe vantage point.