Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation Flashcards
7 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 7 Interiors, Insulation & Ventilation flashcards as text
An inspector observes white crystalline deposits (efflorescence) on interior basement masonry walls. What does this PRIMARILY indicate?
Answer: Water is moving through the masonry wall and depositing dissolved salts
Efflorescence is caused by water migrating through masonry, dissolving soluble salts, and depositing them on the surface as the water evaporates, indicating active or past moisture intrusion.
Which type of insulation poses the GREATEST health risk during installation if not properly contained, and requires special handling precautions?
Answer: Vermiculite insulation (pre-1990 Zonolite brand)
Vermiculite insulation, particularly Zonolite brand mined before 1990, is often contaminated with asbestos and should be left undisturbed; any disturbance requires professional asbestos abatement.
A home inspector finds interior window sills with peeling paint and soft, decayed wood. What is the MOST likely cause?
Answer: Condensation from interior humidity collecting on the cold sill surface
Window sills frequently experience condensation when warm interior air contacts the cold glass and sill surface; persistent moisture causes paint failure and eventually wood decay.
What is the ASHI Standards of Practice requirement regarding inspection of insulation in finished walls?
Answer: Inspectors are not required to inspect insulation in finished walls
ASHI Standards of Practice do not require inspectors to inspect insulation in finished walls since it is concealed; inspectors are only required to report on readily accessible insulation.
An inspector finds stair risers that are inconsistent in height, with some varying by more than 3/8 inch from others. What is the PRIMARY safety concern?
Answer: Trip hazard due to inconsistent step heights disrupting a person's gait
Inconsistent riser heights are a significant trip hazard because people develop a walking rhythm on stairs; unexpected height changes cause stumbling and falls.
During an attic inspection, an inspector finds multiple bathroom and kitchen exhaust fan ducts that are flexible and kinked at sharp angles. What should be reported?
Answer: Kinks reduce airflow efficiency and may cause moisture to collect in the duct, promoting mold
Kinked or sharply bent flexible exhaust ducts restrict airflow, reduce ventilation effectiveness, and can trap condensed moisture that leads to mold growth inside the duct.
What does an inspector look for when evaluating the adequacy of whole-house ventilation in a home without mechanical ventilation?
Answer: Check that operable windows are present in each room and that the home has sufficient air leakage paths
In homes without mechanical ventilation, operable windows are the primary means of occupant-controlled ventilation, and natural infiltration through the building envelope provides background air exchange.