NHIE MANUAL: SITE CONDITIONS STUDY QUESTIONS
When is a retaining wall in scope of a home Inspection? - Answers-Answer
When failure of the retaining wall might negatively impact the house.
When does a retaining wall require structural engeneers approval and a permit? -
Answers-Answer: The "2" & "4" rule.
- over 4 feet with no horizontal support at top
- over 2 feet that support a lateral load
How far should ground/hard surfaces be away from wall coverings? - Answers-Answers
- 6 inches between ground/hard surfaces and siding
- 4 inches between ground/hard surfaces and stucco and brick/masonry veneer
How far should a house be from a negative (downward) slope? - Answers-Answer
- 40 feet or H/3 (H is height of slope)
How far should a house be from a positive(upward) slope? - Answers-Answer:
- 15 feet or H/2 (H is height of slope)
Define swale - Answers-Answer:
- a depression or channel in the soil to channel water to a desired location
Define dry bed - Answers-Answer:
- a swale that is lined with rocks to channel water to a desired location
What is a bubbler? - Answers-Answer:
- used when there is not enough slope for open air termination
- opens above ground to let water flow out and closes when water flow stops
What is the purpose of drainage behind a retaining wall? - Answers-Answer:
- Drainage behind a retaining wall prevents rotation, cracking, bowing, sliding, or
deterioration cause by hydrostatic pressure behind the wall.
What is height restriction of a wood retaining wall? - Answers-- 4 feet
What are the two functions of the grading and drainage systems? - Answers-Grading
and drainage:
1) separate framing and wall covering material from earth and hard surfaces, and
2) divert water away from the foundation.
What is the ideal slope of the ground near a foundation? - Answers-Answer: The "6" in
"10" rule.
- 6 inches in the first 10 feet
, How much should hard surfaces (e.g., concrete) slope away from the foundation? -
Answers-Answer: "1/4 in. per foot rule"
- at least 1/8 to 1/4 in per foot
When is vegetation in scope of a home inspection? - Answers-Answer:
- When the vegetation might impact the house.
How far should vegetation be away from house? - Answers-Answer:
- 10 feet
How far should trees and shrubs be away from a house in areas prone to fires? -
Answers-Answer:
- up to 100 feet around the home is recommended
What are the clearance requirements for plants around a HVAC condenser? - Answers-
General guidelines:
- guideline of 1 foot on all four sides and 3 feet above
What is the recommended driveway width requirements? - Answers-Answer:
- 10 feet for single lane
- 20 feet for double lane
- add 1-2 feet at curves and termination to road
What is the recommended depth in front of garages? - Answers-Answer:
- 20 feet
- Large vehicle require more
What is the minimum recommended width or a residential sidewalk? - Answers-
Residential walkway:
- 48 inches or 4 feet
ADA compliant walkway:
- 60 inches
Note:
- walkways less than 36 inches serving main door may be fall safety hazard (especially
at night)
Is sidewalk maintenance the homeowner's responsibility? - Answers-Answer:
- homeowners responsibility in some jurisdictions
- homeowner may be held liable for dangerous walkways
Note:
- inspect sidewalk for slip/trip hazards
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