NHIE Roofing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum recommended overlap for asphalt shingles at the rake edge?
- 1/4 inch (Correct answer)
- 1/2 inch
- 1 inch
- 2 inches
Correct answer: 1/4 inch
Asphalt shingles should overhang the rake edge by 1/4 to 3/8 inch to allow proper water runoff.
Question 2: Which roofing condition is most likely to cause ice dams to form?
- Inadequate attic ventilation and insulation (Correct answer)
- Missing drip edge flashing
- Worn granule surface on shingles
- Excessive roof slope
Correct answer: Inadequate attic ventilation and insulation
Poor attic insulation and ventilation allow heat to escape, melting snow that refreezes at the cold eave overhang, forming ice dams.
Question 3: A home inspector observes exposed nail heads on a metal roof panel seam. This is best described as:
- Improper installation that can cause leaks (Correct answer)
- An acceptable fastening method for standing-seam metal
- A manufacturer-required ventilation gap
- Normal aging of the metal substrate
Correct answer: Improper installation that can cause leaks
Exposed fasteners on metal roofing are a deficiency because the nail holes can allow water infiltration as sealant degrades.
Question 4: What does a 4/12 roof pitch mean?
- The roof rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run (Correct answer)
- The roof has a 4-foot rise over a 12-foot span
- The rafter length is 4 feet for every 12 square feet
- There are 4 inches of overhang per 12 feet of wall
Correct answer: The roof rises 4 inches for every 12 inches of horizontal run
Roof pitch is expressed as rise over run; 4/12 means 4 inches of vertical rise per 12 inches of horizontal run.
Question 5: Which type of valley flashing method weaves shingles from both roof planes together without metal flashing?
- Woven valley (Correct answer)
- Open valley
- Closed-cut valley
- W-valley
Correct answer: Woven valley
A woven valley interlaces shingles from each roof plane alternately, eliminating the need for metal valley flashing.
Question 6: When inspecting a flat roof, what condition indicates the membrane has lost its watertight integrity?
- Blistering and delamination of the membrane surface (Correct answer)
- Light gray weathering of the surface coating
- Uniform granule coverage across the field
- Properly lapped seams at 6-inch intervals
Correct answer: Blistering and delamination of the membrane surface
Blistering and delamination indicate trapped moisture or adhesion failure within the membrane layers, compromising its waterproofing ability.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a cricket (saddle) installed behind a chimney?
- To divert water around the chimney and prevent ponding (Correct answer)
- To provide structural support for the chimney above the roofline
- To create an air gap for chimney draft improvement
- To anchor the chimney flashing to the roof deck
Correct answer: To divert water around the chimney and prevent ponding
A cricket is a peaked structure built behind wide chimneys to shed water and debris to either side rather than allowing it to pond against the chimney.
NHIE Roofing 2
What is the minimum recommended overlap for asphalt shingles at the rake edge?