North Carolina Home Inspector Practice Exam

What is the most common problem associated with a poured concrete wall?

1. Too high water content

2. Poor compaction

3. Insufficient curing time

4. Excessive shrinkage

The correct answer is: Too high water content

A common problem associated with poured concrete walls is indeed related to the water content in the mixture. When the water content is too high, it can lead to several issues. Firstly, excessive water can increase the permeability of the concrete, making it more susceptible to water penetration and damage over time. This can cause the concrete to weaken and lead to problems such as cracking and spalling. High water content also affects the overall strength of the concrete as it dilutes the cement paste, which can significantly compromise the structural integrity of the wall. In contrast, poor compaction typically refers to the process of ensuring that the concrete is densely packed to remove air voids, which is a separate concern. Insufficient curing time relates to the period allotted for the concrete to properly harden and achieve its designed strength, which is also critical but not as universally prevalent as issues stemming from excess water content. Excessive shrinkage, while a potential problem, may not occur as frequently as the results of high water ratios in the mix, which are more commonly observed in poured concrete structures. Thus, the correlation between too high water content and concrete wall failure is significant, making it a key problem to identify.