ITAZ RQ: Exteriors

Question 1

Exteriors:

List three main functions of exterior cladding.

Answer 1

• Protect the building structure and interior from damage due to water and snow, wind, pests and mechanical damage
• Provide reasonable security
• Enhance the appearance of the house

Question 2

Exteriors:

List five common problems that are found on all wall systems.

Answer 2

• Water penetration
• Too close to grade
• Too close to roofs
• Planters and gardens against the wall
• Vines

Question 3

Exteriors:

What are the implications of missing weep holes on brick veneer walls?

Answer 3

• Water getting into the structure

- Spalling of the lower masonry units in a wall

Question 4

Exteriors:

List seven common problems with masonry walls.

Answer 4

• Efflorenscence
• Spalling
• Cracking
• Mortar deterioration
• Missing weep holes or flashings
• Mechanical damage
• Bowing walls

Question 5

Exteriors:

Describe efflorescence. What is it? What causes it?

Answer 5

• Efflorscence is a salt deposit on a masonry or concrete surface that is associated with water moving through walls.
• The deposits are usually whitish (can be green or brown) and often project one-quarter to half an inch out from the wall if protected from rain and mechanical abrasion

Question 6

Exteriors:

Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in what direction in masonry walls?

Answer 6

• Horizontal cracks radiating out from the top corners of the opening

Question 7

Exteriors:

Stucco is made up of __________.

Answer 7

• Cement, aggregate and water

Question 8

Exteriors:

Describe how you would determine whether stucco is over wood or masonry.

Answer 8

• Tap on it.

Question 9

Exteriors:

Where are soffits and fascia typical found?

Answer 9

• Enclosing the rafter ends at the roof overhang

Question 10

Exteriors:

What materials are commonly used for soffits and fascia?

Answer 10

• Wood
• Alumninum
• Fiber-cement
• Hardboard
• OSB
• Plywood
• Vinyl

Question 11

Exteriors:

List four common problems with soffits and fascia.

Answer 11

• Loose or missing pieces
• Rot
• Damaged
• Paint/stain needed

Question 12

Exteriors:

List 12 common problems with doors and windows.

Answer 12

• Rot
• Damage
• Paint/stain
• Caulking and flashing problems
• Putty (glazing compound) problems
• Sill slope
• Deteriorated sills
• Frame deformation
• Storm windows and screens missing or damaged
• Cracked or broken glass
• Condensation between panes
• Vines

Question 13

Exteriors:

Give three examples of where flashings would typically be found on exterior walls.

Answer 13

• Where walls meet roofs (step and counter flashings)
• Over windows (head flashing)
• Bottom of walls (to direct water out of the wall cavities and/or protect the bottom edge of siding)

Question 14

Exteriors:

List six common problems with caulking, trim and flashings.

Answer 14

• Missing flashings
• Ineffective or incomplete flashings
• Loose
• Rust
• Rot
• Missing or ineffective caulking

Question 15

Exteriors:
Why is common sense so important with respect to evaluating exterior trim and flashings? Discuss a general strategy for inspecting trim and flashings.

Answer 15

• Because not all trim/flashings cause water build up/damage. One must look at all siding for style and installation (uneven, etc) and identify and worrisome points.
• For example, horizontal trim/flashings that are sitting proud can cause water build up. A bead of caulking that forms a sloped shoulder helps to drain water off and protect the joint.

Question 16

Exteriors:

Rise is usually _____________ , and tread depth is typically ________________ .

Answer 16

• 7 3/4 inches

- 10 inches

Question 17

Exteriors:

The top step or landing should be _______ inches below the door sill.

Answer 17

• 6 inches

Question 18

Exteriors:

Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies more than ______ inches above trade.

Answer 18

24 or 30

Question 19

Exteriors:

The openings between ruling spindles should not be greater than _______ inches.

Answer 19

• 4

Question 20

Exteriors:

Why shouldn’t you align a beam with a gutter to check for sag?

Answer 20

• Because gutters should never be straight across the face of a structure since they have to slope to work.

Question 21

Exteriors: Beams should be mechanically fastened to their supporting members. (True or False)

Answer 21

• True

Question 22

Exteriors:

In what two ways might installing joists with hangers be considered superior to toe-nailing them to beams?

Answer 22

• To protect from uplift

- To be restrained from twisting

Question 23

Exteriors:

Describe the proper way to flash a ledger board installed over siding.

Answer 23

• Attach to a wood frame structure by lag bolts into studs or the rim joist every 24 inches. For concrete or masonry foundation, you may see bolts set into lead plugs or masonry screws.

Question 24

Exteriors:

Where to the deck boards often rot first?

Answer 24

• Joists and beams

Question 25

Exteriors: | It's a good idea to have a 6 inch step up into the house from the porch, deck, or patio floor. Why is this?

Answer 25

- To avoid water/snow buildup from entering/flooding the home.

Question 26

Exteriors: | Why should there be no supply or return registers from heating/cooling ductwork in a garage?

Answer 26

- To avoid automobile fumes from entering the house

Question 27

Exteriors: | Most garage floors are not structural. (True or False)

Answer 27

- True

Question 28

Exteriors: | A good concrete garage floor slab is usually at least ______ inches thick and has _____ inches of gravel beneath it.

Answer 28

- 3 inches thick (some areas it is required to be 4 inches) | - 5 inches (of well compact gravel or clear stone)

Question 29

Exteriors: | Which way should garage floors slope?

Answer 29

- To the street / away from the house / Toward the garage door to a drain if below grade

Question 30

Exteriors: | Why should the end of the drain pipe in a driveway drain turn down?

Answer 30

- To minimize debris getting caught in it

Question 31

Exteriors: | What is the recommended way to test the automatic reverse on a garage door opener?

Answer 31

- By placing a 2 inch block on the floor at the midpoint of the door

Question 32

Exteriors: | What are the implications of cracked, broken, settled or heaved garage floors?

Answer 32

- Can result in change of slope directions causing water to pool or to flow against the sidewalls away from the exit.

Question 33

Exteriors: | List four problems to look for on a typical sectional garage door.

Answer 33

- Electrical connection - Opening/closing issues - Auto Reverse - Stopping point - Auto stop - Secure installation - Manual stop

Question 34

Exteriors: If the garage door isn't closing all the way and is stopping approximately 2 inches from the bottom, what does this signify?

Answer 34

- There is an adjustment problem on the closing limit.

Question 35

Exteriors: | What is the commonly recommended slope for ground around a house?

Answer 35

- Six inches for the first 10 feet

Question 36

Exteriors: | Slope is likely less important if the ground surface is: sand or asphalt?

Answer 36

- Sand

Question 37

37- Bad grading will always cause wet basements. (True or False)

Answer 37

- False