International Compliance Association (ICA) Home Inspector Practice Exam

What can cause a pitched roof to sag?

1. Improper roofing material

2. Insufficient spacing of frame supports

3. Weather conditions only

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Insufficient spacing of frame supports

A pitched roof can sag primarily due to insufficient spacing of frame supports. When the framing structure beneath a roof does not have adequately spaced supports, it can lead to an inability to bear the weight of the roofing material, snow accumulation, or other loads. This lack of support can cause the rafters or trusses to bow over time, resulting in a noticeable sag in the roofline. While roofing materials play a role in the overall integrity of a roof, they are not the primary cause of sagging unless they are significantly heavy for the structural design; instead, it's the structural supports that provide the essential strength and stability. Likewise, weather conditions can exacerbate sagging, especially if they introduce additional weight from snow or ice, but they are not the sole cause. Hence, the core issue often resolves around structural inadequacies, making insufficient spacing of frame supports a critical factor in the sagging of a pitched roof.