InterNACHI Certified Roof Inspector

Which roof covering typically has the longest service life under normal residential conditions?

• A3-tab asphalt shingles
• BArchitectural (laminated) asphalt shingles
• CWood shake
• DSlate

What is the primary visual difference between 3-tab and architectural asphalt shingles?

• A3-tab shingles have a thicker base mat
• BArchitectural shingles are laminated with multiple layers for a dimensional look
• C3-tab shingles are only available in dark colors
• DArchitectural shingles do not use ceramic granules

Architectural asphalt shingles are typically rated for wind speeds in what range?

• A30 to 50 mph
• B60 to 70 mph
• C80 to 130 mph
• D150 to 200 mph

Which characteristic best identifies a concrete tile roof versus a clay tile roof during a visual inspection?

• AConcrete tiles are always flat and rectangular
• BClay tiles are noticeably heavier per square foot than concrete
• CConcrete tiles are typically heavier and may show a coated finish that can wear with age
• DOnly clay tiles can be installed on battens

Which is the MOST significant inspection concern with an exposed-fastener metal roof compared to a standing-seam metal roof?

• AExposed-fastener panels cannot be painted
• BThe rubber washers under exposed fasteners degrade and leak over time
• CExposed-fastener panels do not require underlayment
• DExposed-fastener panels cannot be installed on residential slopes

What is the typical service-life range for a wood shake roof in a temperate climate?

• A5 to 10 years
• B10 to 20 years
• C25 to 40 years
• D75 to 100 years

Modified bitumen membranes are typically modified with which two compounds?

• AAPP (atactic polypropylene) and SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene)
• BEPDM and PVC
• CTPO and HDPE
• DCoal tar and pitch

EPDM membranes are best classified as which type of roof membrane?

• AThermoplastic single-ply
• BThermoset single-ply rubber
• CBuilt-up bituminous
• DModified bitumen

How are TPO membrane seams typically joined in the field?

• ACold-applied contact adhesive only
• BHot asphalt mopping
• CHot-air welding
• DMechanical clip seaming

A built-up roof (BUR) is best described as which assembly?

• AA single layer of rubber sheeting fully adhered
• BAlternating plies of bituminous felts and asphalt or coal-tar pitch
• CConcrete panels topped with elastomeric paint
• DMetal panels with foam insulation between

Which roof covering is heaviest per square (100 sq ft of installed area) and typically requires engineered structural support?

• A3-tab asphalt shingle
• BTPO membrane
• CConcrete or clay tile
• DStanding-seam aluminum

Which residential roof covering is MOST susceptible to fire damage and is restricted by some jurisdictions in wildfire-prone areas?

• AUntreated wood shake
• BConcrete tile
• CStanding-seam metal
• DClass A asphalt shingle

What is the typical impact (hail) classification of a standard architectural asphalt shingle compared to a 3-tab shingle?

• A3-tab is Class 4; architectural is Class 1
• B3-tab has no impact classification; architectural is typically Class 3
• CBoth are routinely Class 4
• DNeither is rated for impact

A homeowner reports that their 15-year-old slate roof has several cracked tiles after a hailstorm. Which inspection approach is MOST appropriate?

• AReplace the entire roof; slate cannot be repaired
• BIdentify and replace only the damaged tiles, matching color and thickness
• CCoat the slate with asphalt emulsion to seal the cracks
• DCover the damaged area with asphalt shingles

Which low-slope membrane is most commonly identified by its white reflective top surface specified for cool-roof projects?

• AEPDM
• BModified bitumen with mineral cap
• CTPO
• DCoal-tar BUR

Concrete and clay tile roofs primarily fail due to which mechanism that an inspector should look for first?

• ACracked or broken tiles allowing water to reach the underlayment
• BGranule loss from the tile surface
• CAlgae growth on the tile body
• DUV-induced tile fading

Which roof decking material is more susceptible to edge swelling and delamination when exposed to repeated moisture intrusion?

• APlywood
• BOSB (oriented strand board)
• CPlank (tongue-and-groove)
• DConcrete deck

Per IRC R905.2.2, what is the minimum roof slope on which asphalt shingles may be installed?

• A1:12
• B2:12
• C3:12
• D4:12

For asphalt shingles installed on slopes between 2:12 and 4:12, what is the typical IRC underlayment requirement?

• ASingle layer of 15# felt
• BTwo layers of underlayment or an ice-and-water barrier across the entire roof
• CNo underlayment is required
• DSynthetic underlayment only over the eaves

Which standard governs Type I asphalt-saturated felt underlayment?

• AASTM D226 Type I
• BASTM E108
• CASTM C90
• DASTM A36

Per IRC R905.1.2, ice-barrier underlayment in cold climates must extend from the eave edge to what minimum point?

• AJust past the drip edge
• B12 inches up the slope
• CNot less than 24 inches inside the exterior wall line of the building
• DTo the ridge

Synthetic underlayments compared to traditional 15# felt typically offer which advantage?

• AHigher tear strength and longer UV exposure tolerance
• BSignificantly lower cost than felt
• CInherent vapor retarder Class I rating
• DElimination of the need for fasteners

An inspector observes that the new drip edge has been installed UNDER the underlayment along the eaves. What is the correct evaluation?

• AAcceptable at eaves; the underlayment should lap over the drip edge
• BAcceptable at rakes; the underlayment should lap under the drip edge
• CImproper at eaves; underlayment goes under and drip edge goes over the underlayment at th…
• DDrip edge orientation does not affect performance

Which decking deficiency is MOST critical to report for a residential asphalt shingle roof?

• AMinor nail sheen on the deck underside
• BSagging deck panels indicating loss of structural support
• CSlight color variation between adjoining sheets of OSB
• DUse of mixed plywood and OSB on adjacent sheathing bays

The standard thickness for plywood roof sheathing on rafters spaced 24 inches on center is typically:

• A1/4 inch
• B3/8 inch
• C1/2 inch (or 15/32 inch nominal)
• D1 inch

What is the primary purpose of an ice-and-water shield self-adhered membrane at the eaves of a cold-climate asphalt-shingle roof?

• ATo replace the need for fascia and gutter
• BTo prevent backed-up melt water from ice dams from migrating between shingles and into th…
• CTo increase the wind-uplift resistance of the shingles
• DTo provide a vapor barrier for the attic space

Per the IRC, ice barriers are required on which structures?

• AAll residential buildings nationwide
• BBuildings in regions where the average daily temperature in January is 25 degrees F or le…
• COnly buildings within 50 miles of the Atlantic coast
• DOnly buildings above 5,000 feet elevation

Plywood and OSB roof sheathing should be installed with the long dimension oriented how relative to the framing?

• AParallel to the rafters
• BPerpendicular to the rafters with staggered end joints
• CAt 45 degrees to the rafters
• DOrientation does not matter

On a typical asphalt-shingle roof, what is the minimum side-lap of #15 felt underlayment along horizontal joints, per IRC?

• A1 inch
• B2 inches
• C4 inches
• D12 inches

Which condition observed at the deck-underlayment interface is the MOST significant cause of premature shingle failure?

• ASlight color variation in adjacent felt rolls
• BTrapped moisture between underlayment and deck causing buckling
• CFelt installed in a single uninterrupted run
• DUse of cap nails instead of staples

Step flashing is required at which roof feature?

• AWhere two sloping roof planes meet at a valley
• BWhere a sloped roof meets a vertical wall running up the slope
• CAround plumbing stack penetrations
• DAlong ridges where two equal slopes meet

What is the primary purpose of kickout flashing?

• ATo direct water from a roof-to-wall intersection into the gutter, away from siding
• BTo support the gutter against the fascia
• CTo anchor the lowest step flashing to the deck
• DTo finish a chimney saddle

An open valley uses which detail?

• AShingles are woven across the valley centerline
• BA continuous metal flashing is exposed down the valley with shingles trimmed back on each…
• CShingles from one side are run across and the other side is trimmed
• DThe valley is filled with roof cement

A closed-cut valley is installed by:

• AWeaving shingles from both sides across the valley
• BRunning shingles from one slope across the valley and trimming the shingles from the oppo…
• CLeaving the metal flashing exposed
• DUsing ice-and-water shield only with no shingles in the valley

When is a chimney cricket (saddle) required by the IRC?

• AOn any chimney regardless of size
• BWhere the chimney is more than 30 inches wide measured perpendicular to the slope
• COnly on chimneys taller than 12 feet
• DOnly on chimneys with metal flue liners

Plumbing vent stack boot flashings most commonly fail due to which mechanism?

• AGalvanic corrosion of the metal base plate
• BDeterioration of the rubber or neoprene collar around the pipe
• CLoss of granules on the boot surface
• DBuckling from thermal expansion of the pipe

Counter flashing at a masonry chimney is properly installed by:

• ACaulking the flashing to the face of the brick
• BTucking the upper edge into a kerf cut into a mortar joint and resealing
• CNailing the flashing flat to the brick face
• DLapping it under the shingles

A woven valley is constructed by:

• AWeaving alternating shingle courses across the valley centerline from each side
• BExposing the metal valley liner
• CRunning shingles from one slope across the valley and trimming the other
• DFilling the valley with woven fiberglass mat

What is the typical minimum width for an open valley metal flashing on a residential asphalt-shingle roof?

• A4 inches total
• B8 inches total
• CApproximately 18 to 24 inches total, with 6 inches each side of centerline of exposure
• D36 inches total

Inspecting a sidewall-to-roof intersection, you find no kickout flashing at the bottom of the step flashing run. Which condition should you anticipate?

• ANo issue if the wall has a rainscreen
• BMoisture damage to the wall sheathing or siding behind the location
• CA code violation only in coastal jurisdictions
• DImproved drainage into the soffit

Skylight head flashing should be installed how relative to the underlayment and shingles?

• AOver the shingles above the skylight
• BBeneath the underlayment so water runs onto the shingle course below it
• CTucked under the upper underlayment and over the upper shingles so water runs over the lo…
• DSealed to the skylight curb with caulk only

Approximately what percentage of all roof leaks originate at flashings rather than through the field of shingles?

• ALess than 10%
• BAbout 25%
• CAbout 50%
• DRoughly 95%

Which flashing detail directs water around the uphill side of a wide chimney?

• AApron flashing
• BCricket or saddle
• CCounter flashing
• DDrip edge

Which is the BEST inspector recommendation when a plumbing pipe boot shows a cracked rubber collar at age 12 years on an otherwise sound shingle roof?

• AInject caulk into the crack and monitor
• BReplace the boot with a new boot or install a secondary collar repair sleeve
• CCover the boot with roof cement
• DWait for an active leak before recommending repair

An inspector finds a chimney without counter flashing; the step flashing is sealed to the brick face with a continuous bead of caulk. The correct report finding is:

• ACompliant if the caulk is silicone and less than five years old
• BImproper flashing installation: counter flashing tucked into a kerfed mortar joint is req…
• CAcceptable on brick chimneys only
• DAcceptable provided a chimney cap is present