Carpentry & Masonry Trade Knowledge — Practice
Masonry: walls: practice questions
Our Carpentry & Masonry bank has 22 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1 · Masonry
What is a water-resistive barrier behind brick veneer for?
- Holding the brick up
- Protecting the sheathing from water that gets through the brick
- Holding the brick in place so no ties are needed
- Insulating the wall only
Show the answer
B. Protecting the sheathing from water that gets through the brick — Required behind veneer on wood framing.
Question 2 · Masonry
Why should mortar droppings be kept out of the veneer cavity?
- They rust the ties
- They block drainage and weep holes, trapping water
- They make the wall too strong, so it cracks when the house settles
- They add weight to the ties
Show the answer
B. They block drainage and weep holes, trapping water — Use a mortar net or careful laying.
Question 3 · Masonry
Why are masonry units laid with full bed joints on the face shells of block?
- To make the wall lighter by using less block
- It isn't necessary
- For strength and to keep water out
- To speed curing
Show the answer
C. For strength and to keep water out — Face-shell bedding is standard for hollow block.
Question 4 · Masonry
What are weep holes in brick veneer for?
- Holding ties
- Reducing weight
- Venting moist air out of the attic through the wall cavity
- Letting water in the cavity drain out above flashing
Show the answer
D. Letting water in the cavity drain out above flashing — IRC requires weeps at 33-inch maximum spacing.
Question 5 · Masonry
What is a weep vent or rope wick used for?
- Venting the attic
- Holding wall ties at the right spacing during construction
- Reinforcing joints
- Keeping weep holes open while letting water drain
Show the answer
D. Keeping weep holes open while letting water drain — Keeps insects out of open head joints.