Florida Home Inspector Practice Test

What inspection measure can help prevent issues caused by ground movement in a building?

1. Checking for missing lintels

2. Inspecting landscaping practices

3. Utilizing frost footings

4. Assessing soil type

The correct answer is: Inspecting landscaping practices

Inspecting landscaping practices is crucial in mitigating issues caused by ground movement in a building. Proper landscaping can influence water drainage and soil stability around a structure. For instance, grading the land away from the foundation helps divert water, reducing the risk of erosion or excessive moisture that can weaken the soil. This leads to a more stable ground, minimizing the likelihood of shifts that could affect the building's integrity. For context, while assessing soil type is certainly important in understanding the foundational support of a building, it is the landscape management practices that actively prevent issues by managing how water interacts with the soil surrounding the structure. Similarly, checking for missing lintels pertains more to structural support rather than ground movement. Utilizing frost footings, while essential in regions with freezing temperatures to prevent frost heave, is less relevant in contexts where ground movement is primarily due to drainage issues or landscaping practices.