This Study Session outlines the scope of exterior inspections as set out in the ASHI®/CAHI Standards of Practice (note: ASHI® stands for the American Society of Home Inspectors; CAHI stands for the Canadian Association of Home Inspectors). This Study Session also includes the first part of our discussion on wall surfaces. We'll discuss a general strategy for inspecting walls and we'll cover brick, stone and concrete wall finishes.
The estimated completion time is 90 minutes.
Objectives
At the end of this Study Session, you should be able to:
At the end of this Study Session, you should be able to:
- List six items that inspectors have to observe during a Standard inspection.
- List three items that inspectors have to describe, operate or report on during a Standard inspection.
- List eight items that inspectors are not required to report on during a standard exterior inspection.
- List three functions of exterior cladding.
- Describe in two sentences the differences between a macro and micro approach to inspection of exteriors.
- List ten common exterior cladding materials.
- List sis components of a typical wall assembly.
- List four common problems that crop up on any exterior wall system.
- List seven common problems with brick, stone and concrete wall surfaces.
Question 1
Antifreeze used in mortar can lead to what problems with masonry exterior walls?Selected Answer:
This could lead to corrosion of the brick ties as well as to efflorescence.Correct Answer: 
Corrosion of the brick ties, and efflorescence.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 2
Describe efflorescence. What is it? What causes it?Selected Answer:
Efflorescence is a salt deposit on a masonry or concrete surface that is associated with water moving through walls.Water evaporating from the surface of the masonry or mortar leaves the efflorescence on the surface.Correct Answer:
Efflorescence is a whitish powdery salt deposit that is associated with water moving through masonry. Water dissolves the salts from masonry or mortar and deposits them on the surface as crystals when evaporating.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 3
Explain how freezing temperatures damage brick.Selected Answer:
Water trapped in bricks will expand when freezes and damage bricksCorrect Answer:
Water in the brick expands when it freezes, and spalls the surface of the brick.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 4
List eight things that are not required to be included in the Standard inspection.Selected Answer:
1. Underground items including, but not limited to storage tanks or other underground indications of their presence, whether abandoned or active.2. Systems or components which are not installed.3. Decorative items.4. Systems or components located in areas that are not readily accessible in accordance with these National Standards of Practise.5. Detached structures.6. Common elements or common areas in multiunit housing, such as condominium properties or cooperative housing when inspecting an individual units. This includes the roof and the building envelope.7. Test and/or operate any installed fire alarm system, burglar alarm system, automatic sprinkler system or other fire protection equipment, electronic or automated installations, telephone, intercom, cable/internet systems and any lifting equipment, elevator, freight elevator, wheelchair lift.8. Pools, spas and their associated safety devices, including fences.Correct Answer:
Screening, shutters, awnings and other seasonal accessories Fences Geological, geotechnical or hydrological conditions Recreational facilities Outbuildings other than garages and carports Seawalls, breakwalls and docks Erosion control and earth stabilization measuresResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 5
List seven common problems with masonry walls.Selected Answer:
1. Efflorescence2. Spalling3. Cracking4. Mortar deterioration5. Missing weep holes or flashings6. Mechanical damage7. Bowing wallsCorrect Answer:
Efflorescence Spalling Cracking Mortar deterioration Missing weep holes and flashings Mechanical damage Bowing wallsResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 6
List six common components of an exterior wall assembly.Selected Answer:
1. Siding2. Building paper or housewrap3. Sheathing - wood plank, plywood, OSB, fiberboard, gypsum board, cement board and etc4. Structural materials (Stud in wood structure)5. Insulation and an air/vapor barrier (usually on the interior side of the insulation)6. Interior finish (drywall)Correct Answer:
Structural members Interior finishes Insulation Sheathing Building paper or housewrap SidingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 7
List six common problems that are found on all wall systems.Selected Answer:
1. Water penetration2. Too close to grade3. Too close to roofs4. Planters and gardens against the wall5. Vines6. Insulation problemsCorrect Answer:
Water penetration Too close to grade Too close to roof surface at the bottom of the siding Planters and gardens against the wall Vines Insulation problemsResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 8
List six other house systems that you might gain information about while doing your Exterior inspection.Selected Answer:
1. Electricity2. Heating3. Air conditioning4. Insulation5. Plumbing6. StructureCorrect Answer:
Electrical Heating Air conditioning and heat pumps Insulation Plumbing StructureResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 9
List six things you have to check on the exterior of buildings during a Standard inspection.Selected Answer:
1. Wall covering, flashing and trim2. Exterior doors3. Attached and adjacent decks, balconies, stoops, steps, porches, and their associated railings4. Eaves, soffits, and fascias where accessible from the ground level5. Vegetation, grading, surface drainage, and retaining walls that are likely to adversely affect the building6. Adjacent and entryway walkways, patios and driveways.Correct Answer:
Wall cladding, flashings and trim Entryway doors, and a representative number of windows Garage door operators Decks, balconies, stoops, steps, areaways and porches including railings Eaves, soffits and fasciaResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 10
List ten exterior wall surface materials that you'll commonly find.Selected Answer:
1. Masonry products such as brick, stone, poured concrete and concrete block.2. Poured concrete3. Stucco (either over wood frame or masonry)4. Synthetic stucco (EIFS or Exterior Insulation and Finish System)5. Wood products including shingles and shakes, plank siding, plywood, OSB and hardboard.6. Metal products including steel and aluminum.7. Vinyl8. Asphalt shingles9. Slate and clay tiles10. Fiber-cementCorrect Answer:
Brick Stone Concrete Stucco EIFS Metal and vinyl siding Asphalt shingles Wood siding Cement based siding Clay and slate shingles Plywood, hardboard and OSB Fibre-cement sidingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 11
List three functions of building or sheathing paper.Selected Answer:
1. Protecting the wall from water that gets past the siding2. Help to prevent wind blowing into the wall system, which would reduce the effectiveness of the insulation3. Allowing vapor moving through the wall from indoors to escape to the exterior (building paper must breathe)Correct Answer:
Protects the wall from water that gets past the siding Helps prevent wind from blowing into the insulation Allows vapour to move through the wall from inside to outsideResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 12
List three main functions of exterior cladding.Selected Answer:
1. Protect the building structure and interior from damage due to water and snow, wind, pests and mechanical damage.2. Provide reasonable security3. Enhance the appearance of the house. The exterior materials and their configuration largely define the architectural style of the home.Correct Answer:
Protect the structure from water Provide reasonable security Enhance the appearance of the house.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 13
List three things that inspectors have to describe, operate or report on during a Standard inspection.Selected Answer:
1. Exterior wall coverings2. Exterior doors3. Attached garageCorrect Answer:
Vegetation, grading, drainage, driveways, patios, walkways and retaining walls with respect to their effect on the condition of the buildingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 14
To what extent do inspectors have to look at landscaping?Selected Answer:
Inspector only has to look at vegetation, grading drainage and retaining walls for their effect on the building.Correct Answer:
Only to the extent that they affect the building.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 15
What are the implications of a foundation wall that is below the exterior grade level?Selected Answer:
1. Spalling2. Obstructed weep holes in masonry veneer3. Rotted wood4. Swollen, buckled or cracking wood-based products5. Peeling paint6. Staining7. Rusted fasteners8. Rusted lath and drip screed on stuccoCorrect Answer:
Rotted structural members Damaged siding materialsResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 16
What are the implications of burying weep holes on brick veneer walls?Selected Answer:
Damage to the wall and floor structures behind the sidingCorrect Answer:
Spalling bricks, and rotted structural membersResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 17
What is used to secure brick veneer walls to wood frame houses?Selected Answer:
brick ties or masonry veneer tiesCorrect Answer:
Metal masonry ties.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 18
Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in a _____ direction in masonry walls.Selected Answer: HorizontalCorrect Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Matchhorizontal Response Feedback: Good work!!Question 19
Housewrap is used instead of _____ _____?Selected Answer: Building paperCorrect Answer: Evaluation Method Correct Answer Case Sensitivity Exact Matchbuilding paper Response Feedback: Good work!!
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