These 5 questions cover roof coverings, flashing, gutters, penetrations and drainage. On the National Home Inspector Examination they fall under Property Inspection (70% of the exam). Try each one before you open the answer: the explanation matters more than the letter.
1. The inspector observes a sloped roof covered with overlapping fiberglass-mat shingles with mineral granules. The inspector should describe the roof covering as
- asphalt composition shingles
- built-up roofing membrane
- modified bitumen roofing
- wood shakes or shingles
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Answer: A. asphalt composition shingles
Asphalt (composition) shingles are the most common residential roof covering. Describing the covering type, approximate age, and number of layers is part of reporting system characteristics.
Memory tip: Granules on a mat = asphalt shingle.
2. During a roof replacement, the contractor installed new shingles directly over the bare deck with no underlayment. The MOST significant implication is
- the shingles will not adhere to the bare deck
- the roof assembly will be too heavy
- the deck will be unable to ventilate
- no backup barrier exists if water passes the shingles
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Answer: D. no backup barrier exists if water passes the shingles
Underlayment provides a secondary water barrier beneath the covering, protecting the deck from wind-driven rain and ice dams. It is required under asphalt shingles and its absence should be reported.
Memory tip: Underlayment is the backup.
3. In a snow-country home, the inspector cannot verify the presence of a self-adhering membrane at the eaves. The report should
- state that the ice barrier membrane is present
- report the roof covering as deficient
- note it couldn’t be verified and explain why it matters
- omit the issue since the membrane is concealed
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Answer: C. note it couldn’t be verified and explain why it matters
Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane installed at eaves, valleys, and penetrations in cold climates to protect against ice-dam leakage. Since it is concealed, the inspector notes whether it could be verified and recommends confirming if records are available.
Memory tip: Membrane at the eaves, can’t see it, say so.
4. The inspector observes thick ice along the eaves and water staining on the interior ceiling near the exterior wall. The MOST likely cause is
- gutters clogged with leaves and debris
- attic heat melting snow that refreezes at the eaves
- defective shingles along the eave edge
- a plumbing leak inside the exterior wall
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Answer: B. attic heat melting snow that refreezes at the eaves
Ice dams form when attic heat melts roof snow, which refreezes at the cold eaves and backs water up under the shingles. The root cause is heat loss—insufficient insulation, air bypasses, or poor ventilation—not the roofing itself.
Memory tip: Ice dam = heat leaking up.
5. Where two roof planes meet in a low channel, the inspector observes debris accumulation and deteriorated shingles. The inspector should describe the location as the
- ridge
- rake
- valley
- eave
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Answer: C. valley
A valley is the internal angle where two sloping roof planes meet and carry concentrated runoff. Valleys are high-wear, leak-prone areas; accurate location terms help contractors find the defect.
Memory tip: Valley is the low road.