This study session covers the inspection of attics (including safety issues), the inspection of other house systems and common insulation and ventilation problems in attics.
The estimated completion time for this study session is ninety 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:
- Sate as least three precautions you should take when inspecting attics.
- List six other house system components you'll be typically looking at when in the attic.
- List twenty-six insulation and ventilation related problems (and their implications) you may find in attics.
- Describe in one sentence the inspection strategy for each of the above problems.
Question 1
How is heat loss and air leakage controlled around whole-house fans?Selected Answer: Using a insulated cover that can be placed over the fan in the attic during the winter montsh.Correct Answer: 
With an insulated coverResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 2
How should insulation be handled around masonry chimneys?Selected Answer: Masonry chimneys should have non-combustible insulation surrounding them.Correct Answer: Masonry chimneys should only have non-combustible insulation surrounding them.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 3
How should insulation be handled around metal vents?Selected Answer: Metal vents should have no insulation around them for a distance of one to two inches, depending on the type of the vent or chimney.Correct Answer: Vent is contained in a boxed-in area to keep insulation away.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 4
List at least three things that may make attics dangerous.Selected Answer: 1. Covered with insulation2. Hatch is difficult to open3. Stairs may not be well maintainedCorrect Answer: Fall through the ceiling Electric shock Irritate lungs, eyes, and skinResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 5
List at least two safety concerns related to pull-down stairs.Selected Answer: 1. They may come down very quickly if mechanical components are loose or broken.2. Treads or stringers may be loose or broken.Correct Answer: Mechanical components loose or broken when pulling down Treads or stringers may be loose or brokenResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 6
List five attic staircase problems and the implications of each.Selected Answer: 1. Inadequate insulation and weather stripping2. Stair rise, run and tread problems3. Handrail and guardrail problems4. Lighting problems5. Headroom problemsCorrect Answer: Inadequate insulation or weatherstripping / Heat loss, air leakage Stair rise, run and tread problems / Safety concerns Handrail and guardrail problems / Safety concerns Lighting problems / Safety concerns Headroom problems / Safety concernsResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 7
List four common access hatch problems and the implications of each.Selected Answer: 1. Not insulated2. Weather-stripped3. Missing4. InaccessibleCorrect Answer: Not insulated / Results in heat loss Not weather-stripped / Results in heat loss and air leakage Missing / Limits inspection Inaccessible / Limits inspectionResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 8
List six other house systems that may have components to inspect while in the attic.Selected Answer: 1. Roofing2. Structure3. Electrical4. Heating5. Air-conditioning and heat pump6. PlumbingCorrect Answer: Roofing Structure Electrical Heating Air conditioning or heat pump systems PlumbingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 9
List three common problems with roof vents and their implications.Selected Answer: 1. Venting missing or inadequate2. Venting obstructed at soffit or roof vents3. Snow or wet spots below roof ventsCorrect Answer: Problems: 1. Birds? nests 2. Mechanical damage 3. Undersized openings Implications: 1. Inadequate venting 2. Mold/mildew/rot from condensationResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 10
List three common pull-down stair problems and the implications of each.Selected Answer: 1. Stairs coming down too fast2. Stairs not solid and stable3. Stairs not insulatedCorrect Answer: Stairs come down too fast / Safety or dangerous Not solid and stable / Safety or dangerous Not insulated / Heat loss, air leakageResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 11
List three possible concerns with turbine vents.Selected Answer: 1. Obstructed2. Bent3. CorrodedCorrect Answer: 1. No ventilation on calm days 2. Too much ventilation on windy days 3. Noisy or seizedResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 12
Should power vents be operating in the winter? Why or why not?Selected Answer: No. It would depressurize attic and draw warm, moist house air into roof spacesCorrect Answer: No, they can depressurize the attic, increasing heat loss.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 13
Under what circumstances should insulation cover recessed lights? What is one inspection strategy to help identify recessed lights while in the attic?Selected Answer: If the type has double shell with an air space between to help cool the fixture.Look for a double shell on the fixture. Designation that includes the letters IC indicating appropriate for use in a insulated ceiling.Correct Answer: 1. Only if lights are proper type, or installed in drywall boxes 2. Look for double shell, or ?IC? stampResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 14
What are the implications of air/vapour barriers that are missing or incomplete?Selected Answer: Increased air leakage and possible rot damage from condensation are the implications of a missing air/vapor barrier.Correct Answer: 1. Air leakage 2. Rot damage 3. Insulation gets wet from condensationResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 15
What are the implications of insulation that is only two inches thick, wet, compressed, interrupted by gaps or voids, or missing?Selected Answer: 1. Increased heat loss2. Amount of moisture is siginificantCorrect Answer: Two inches thick / Heat loss, ice damming Wet / Won?t work well, damage to finishes Gaps and voids / Localized heat loss Compressed / Reduced R-value Missing / Heat loss, ice dammingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 16
What is suggested by mold, mildew or rot on rafters and sheathing?Selected Answer: Weakened structural performances and ultimate failure of the roof structureCorrect Answer: An exhaust fan dumping warm, moist air directly into the atticResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 17
What is suggested by snow on attic insulation below roof vents?Selected Answer: Water damageCorrect Answer: If soffit venting is missing, rain and snow may actually be drawn into the roof vents.Response Feedback: [None Given] Question 18
What safety issues are there surrounding permanent staircases to attics?Selected Answer: 1. Not uniformly, adequate tread width2. Not enough rise3. Not enough headroom4. No handrails5. No guardrail around the topCorrect Answer: Should be uniform with adequate tread width and rise Headroom should be adequate Handrails and a guardrail should be at the top Adequate lightingResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 19
What should you wear when inspecting attics? (List three things.)Selected Answer: mask and gogglesCorrect Answer: Mask Goggles Long sleeves with tight cuffsResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 20
What two things should you be looking for on ducts in attics?Selected Answer: 1. Leaking or disconnected2. Insulation missing or looseCorrect Answer: 1. Insulation 2. Air/vapour barrierResponse Feedback: [None Given] Question 21
Will you ever see walls in attics? Where? Should these be insulated?Selected Answer: Knee wall. They should be insulated.Correct Answer: 1. Walls indicate skylights or light wells 2. Yes, should be insulatedResponse Feedback: [None Given]
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