North Carolina Building Contractor License Practice Exam

The outside of a masonry basement wall should be parged from the footing to how many inches above finished grade?

1. 6 inches

2. 4 inches

3. 2 inches

4. 8 inches

The correct answer is: 2 inches

The correct choice indicates that the outside of a masonry basement wall should be parged from the footing to 2 inches above finished grade. This is important because parging serves as a protective coat for the masonry, providing a layer that helps to prevent water infiltration and damage from frost or other environmental factors. By extending the parging 2 inches above finished grade, it effectively ensures that a portion of the wall remains shielded from direct exposure to soil conditions, which can contribute to moisture problems if not properly managed. This guideline is based on common building practices, where keeping the parging at an appropriate height helps to maintain the integrity of the foundation while following the requirements for drainage and moisture control. Maintaining a parging height of more than 2 inches could expose the wall to unnecessary risks, while a height below this may not provide adequate protection, thus reinforcing the rationale behind adhering to this standard.