Insulation and Interior Inspection Section#1 Insulation and Ventilation Quiz#11

This study session covers the inspection of above grade walls, basements and crawlspaces, and the inspection of floors over unheated areas. The estimated completion time for this study session is ninety minutes. Objectives At the end of this study session, you should be able to: List three common problems with wall insulation. List two locations for insulating basement walls. List seven advantages for each approach. List two general approaches to insulating crawlspaces. State which crawlspace insulation approach is preferred, and explain why in two sentences. List nine common problems with basement and crawlspace insulation and ventilation. Describe in one sentence the implications of each of the nine common problems. Describe in one sentence each the inspection strategy for the nine conditions. Describe in one sentence the cold floor effect . List seven common areas where insulation may be provided over unheated spaces. Question 1 Needs Grading All crawlspaces should be vented. True or false? Explain. Selected Answer: False. If the crawlspace is heated, it should not be vented to the outdoors. Unheated crawlspaces are typically vented to the out doors.  Correct Answer:   True if unheated ? vent to outdoors to remove warm, moist air in cold climates Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 2 Needs Grading Describe in one sentence each, seven advantages to inside insulation of basement walls. Selected Answer: 1. Less expensive 2. Easier to DIY 3. Can be done any time 4. Less disruptive to the house 5. Easier to address basement windows 6. Foundation can still dry to the outside above grade 7. Any batt or board insulation material is suitable 8. Cost is small 9. Porches and garages are not problems.  Correct Answer: 1. Less expensive, a do-it-yourself project 2. Can be done at any time, regardless of weather 3. Less disruptive to the house 4. Easier to address basement windows 5. Any batt or board insulation is acceptable 6. If homeowners plan to finish basement, cost is small 7. Porches and garages not a problem Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 3 Needs Grading Describe in one sentence each, seven advantages to outside insulation of basement walls. Selected Answer: 1. Keeps the foundation warm. Stabilize the house temperature and eliminate any concern of frost heaving of the foundation 2. No need to disrupt interior 3. No interior living space is lost 4. Expose foundation walls 5. Better insulation job 6. Easier to insulate rim joist area from the outside of the home 7. Exterior water control systems can be added or improved Correct Answer: 1. Keeps foundation warm, stabilizing the structure 2. No need to disrupt interior finishes 3. No interior space lost 4. If exterior walls exposed, can be cost-effective 5. Outside walls are more uniform with fewer interruptions 6. May be easier to insulate the rim joist area 7. Exterior water control systems can be added or improved Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 4 Needs Grading Describe in one sentence each, two general approaches to insulating crawlspaces. Selected Answer: 1. Insulate the walls, creating a heated crawlspace 2. Insulate the floor above, creating a unheated crawlspace Correct Answer:   1. Insulate walls, creating a heated crawlspace 2. Insulate floor above, creating a cold crawlspace Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 5 Needs Grading Describe the cold floor effect. Selected Answer: Even if the room temperature is 72F, a cold wall can draw heat from your body, making you feel uncomfortable.  Correct Answer:   Heat is transmitted by conduction directly from our feet to the floor. Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 6 Needs Grading Describe two possible strategies for keeping floors over unheated spaces warm. Selected Answer: 1. Heated cavity between the floor and insulation below. 2. Use of isocyanate or polyurethane foam insulations.  Correct Answer:   1. Heated cavity between floor and insulation below 2. Spray-in-place foams that fill entire cavity Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 7 Needs Grading List nine common problems with insulation and ventilation in basement and crawlspace areas, and their implications. Selected Answer: 1. Insulation - too little or incomplete 2. Exterior insulation not suitable for use below grade 3. Exterior insulation not protected at top 4. Insulation missing at rim joists 5. Insulation sagging, loose or voids 6. Exposed combustible insulation 7. Air/vapor barrier missing, incomplete or wrong location 8. No moisture barrier on basement walls 9. No moisture barrier on earth floor Correct Answer:     Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 8 Needs Grading List seven areas where floors over unheated spaces may feel cool. Selected Answer: 1. Above garage 2. Above porches 3. In cantilevered areas 4. Over breezeways 5. Below windows that project out from the building 6. Over unheated crawlspaces or other subgrade areas 7. Over open areas below houses with pier foundation and no skirting Correct Answer:     Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 9 Needs Grading List three safety issues involved in inspecting crawlspaces. Selected Answer: 1. Wet floors 2. Animal 3. Dark and dirty Correct Answer:   1. Wet floors 2. Animals 3. Dark and dirty Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 10 Needs Grading Which of two possible approaches to insulating crawlspaces is preferred? Give four reasons why. Selected Answer: heated crawlspace 1. The floor above is more comfortable if the crawlspace is heated 2. Easier to insulate the walls than attach insulation to the crawlspace ceiling 3. Less materials is needed 4. No risk of freezing pipes or excessive heat loss through ducts in crawlspace Correct Answer: Insulate walls 1. Floor above is more comfortable if crawlspace is heated 2. Easier to insulate walls than attach insulation to ceiling 3. Less material is often needed to insulate walls than ceiling 4. No risk of freezing pipes or excessive heat loss through ducts Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 11 Needs Grading Why does condensation sometimes show up in new homes on the outer side of a polyethylene vapour barrier on the inside of a basement wall? Selected Answer: The moisture level in basement is high Correct Answer:   Moisture from the curing concrete condenses on the outer side of the air/vapour barrier. Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 12 0 out of 0 points Basement wall insulation is critical in any areas north of Florida. Selected Answer:  False Answers: True  False Response Feedback: Good work