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Property & Building Inspection

Exterior practice questions

10 original sample questions on exterior. Pick an answer, then open the explanation. Review the exterior study notes first if you like.

1. A deck ledger board should be attached to the house with:

  1. Construction adhesive only
  2. Drywall screws into the rim joist
  3. Bolts or lag screws and flashing
  4. Common nails only, without flashing
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Bolts or lag screws and flashing

Ledgers need proper fasteners and flashing to resist pull-out and water. (General reference: IRC R507 (decks); local adoption varies.)

2. A balcony with a membrane surface shows ponding at the doorway and stains on the ceiling below. Best report action:

  1. Report the balcony is fine because ponding evaporates within a day
  2. Recommend drilling holes through the membrane so water drains faster
  3. Ignore the ceiling stains since they are inside the home
  4. Report ponding and staining and recommend evaluation by a qualified contractor
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Report ponding and staining and recommend evaluation by a qualified contractor

Ponding and stains below suggest a leak; refer for evaluation.

3. A garage door that does not reverse when it contacts an obstruction is:

  1. A safety hazard
  2. A drainage issue
  3. Normal behavior for older openers
  4. A cosmetic issue
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. A safety hazard

Failure to auto-reverse can cause injury or death; report for repair.

4. A brick wall has mortar joints eroded about 1/2 inch deep over a large area. The best recommendation is:

  1. Pressure washing to clean joints
  2. No action since brick is permanent
  3. Painting the brick to hide joints
  4. Repointing by a qualified mason
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Repointing by a qualified mason

Deteriorated mortar admits water and weakens the wall; repointing restores it.

5. A broken garage door torsion spring is a concern because:

  1. Springs are purely decorative
  2. Springs store dangerous tension
  3. It improves door balance
  4. It makes the door lighter and easier to lift by hand
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Springs store dangerous tension

Springs counterbalance heavy doors. Broken or failing springs are dangerous and need a qualified technician. (General reference: IRC R302.5–R302.6 (garage-dwelling separation); local adoption varies.)

6. A deck guard is 32 inches high on a deck 6 feet above grade. The best report statement is:

  1. Guard appears lower than the commonly required 36 inches; fall hazard
  2. Guards are optional if the deck has stairs at both ends
  3. Guard meets typical requirements because it is over 30 inches tall at all points
  4. Guard height is only a cosmetic matter for decks of this size
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Guard appears lower than the commonly required 36 inches; fall hazard

Residential guards are typically required to be at least 36 inches high. (General reference: IRC R312 (guards); local adoption varies.)

7. A handrail is considered 'graspable' when it:

  1. Is made of wood only
  2. Can be gripped firmly by hand
  3. Is wide and flat like a decorative cap rail on a guard wall
  4. Is mounted above 48 inches
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Can be gripped firmly by hand

Handrails need a shape and size users can wrap their hand around. Wide flat boards are not graspable. (General reference: IRC R311.7.8 (handrails); local adoption varies.)

8. A deck beam spliced between posts rather than over a post is a concern because:

  1. It reduces deflection of the beam
  2. The splice may not carry the load
  3. It is the preferred method
  4. It improves the beam's strength
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. The splice may not carry the load

Splices typically belong over supports.

9. A deck post bearing on soil with no footing visible should be reported as:

  1. A cosmetic item for the owner
  2. An approved method in every area
  3. Better support than a concrete footing
  4. A support concern needing evaluation
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. A support concern needing evaluation

Posts need proper footings to prevent settlement and decay.

10. A loose porch guard that wobbles when pushed is best reported as:

  1. A cosmetic item that can be painted
  2. An acceptable condition for an older porch
  3. A ventilation issue under the porch floor
  4. A fall hazard needing secure attachment
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. A fall hazard needing secure attachment

Guards must resist outward loads.

Original practice items for study only, not actual exam questions. Content may contain errors.