ASHI Foundations & Basements Flashcards
6 cards from real ASHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 ASHI Foundations & Basements flashcards as text
A sump pump discharge line that terminates inside the crawl space is a deficiency because:
Answer: It recirculates the water back into the soil under the structure, defeating the purpose of the pump
Discharging inside the crawl space simply returns water to the same area it came from, preventing effective moisture control.
Why must crawl space vents be free of obstructions according to traditional ventilation standards?
Answer: To allow cross-ventilation that removes moisture-laden air and prevents wood decay
Cross-ventilation through free vents removes the humid air that causes condensation and wood decay in traditionally vented crawl spaces.
When inspecting a basement, an ASHI inspector finds a floor drain without a trap. The concern is:
Answer: Sewer gases can enter the basement through the dry trap opening
A dried-out or missing trap allows hydrogen sulfide and methane sewer gases to enter the occupied space, creating health and safety hazards.
What is the significance of a white crystalline deposit called 'peeling' or 'scaling' on the interior face of a poured concrete foundation wall?
Answer: It indicates repeated freeze-thaw cycles or high hydrostatic pressure causing spalling
Spalling on the interior concrete face occurs when water saturates the wall and freezes, or when high hydrostatic pressure forces water through the concrete matrix.
An ASHI inspector discovers that a crawl space access hatch is located inside a bedroom closet and opens directly to an unconditioned, unsealed crawl space. This is a concern because:
Answer: Moisture, radon, and pest entry paths can communicate directly into the living space through an unsealed hatch
An unsealed crawl space hatch in a conditioned area allows moisture, radon, insects, and odors to migrate freely from the crawl space into the home.
When is the use of helical piers or push piers typically recommended after a home inspection?
Answer: When a structural engineer determines the foundation has experienced significant settlement that is ongoing or at risk of continuing
Helical or push piers are a structural underpinning solution used when a structural engineer confirms that foundation settlement is significant enough to require stabilization.