NC Roofing Contractor flashcards
NC Roofing Contractor · Build recall with a focused review session.
32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Square (roofing unit)
- A unit of roof area equal to 100 square feet. Used to order shingles, underlayment, and labor; always add waste factor for hips, valleys, and complex geometry.
- ASTM D3462
- Standard specification for asphalt shingles made from glass felt and surfaced with mineral granules. Defines minimum physical and performance requirements for shingle products.
- Ice dam protection membrane
- Self-adhering waterproof membrane installed at eaves to prevent water backup from ice dams. Required by IRC where average January temperature is 25°F or below or ice damming has occurred.
- EPDM membrane
- A thermoset single-ply rubber roofing membrane with excellent weathering and ozone resistance. Seams are joined with contact adhesive or splice tape, not heat welding.
- TPO membrane
- Thermoplastic polyolefin single-ply membrane, hot-air welded at seams. Resists UV and chemicals; weld quality is verified by probe or air-lance testing after installation.
- Pitch multiplier
- Factor equal to the square root of one plus the rise-over-twelve squared. Multiplies plan area to obtain actual sloped roof area for material takeoff.
- Headlap
- The overlap of a shingle course over the course below, measured from the top edge. Determines exposure and weathertightness; specified by the manufacturer.
- Exposure
- The exposed height of each shingle course, equal to shingle length minus headlap. Standard three-tab shingles use five-inch exposure; architectural shingles vary.
- Step flashing
- L-shaped metal flashing installed in courses interleaved with shingles at sidewalls. Prevents water intrusion where a roof plane meets a vertical wall.
- Cricket
- A small sloped roof structure built behind a chimney wider than 30 inches to divert water around it. Prevents water pooling and leakage at the chimney.
- Drip edge
- Metal flashing at eaves and rake edges that directs water away from the fascia and deck. Installed under underlayment at eaves and over it at rakes.
- Net free vent area
- Open area of attic vents, required at 1:150 of attic floor area, or 1:300 when intake and exhaust are balanced with a vapor retarder present.
- Class A roof covering
- Highest fire-resistance rating under ASTM E108, indicating severe fire exposure resistance. Commonly required for new construction in many jurisdictions.
- Ponding water
- Water remaining on a low-slope roof 48 hours after rain. Caused by inadequate slope, clogged drains, or deck deflection; may require structural evaluation.
- Blister (roofing)
- A raised area on a low-slope membrane caused by trapped moisture or air. Repair requires cutting, drying, and patching, not surface coating.
- Call-back rate
- Percentage of completed jobs requiring return visits for warranty or defect issues. A key business performance metric reflecting installation quality.
- Change order
- A written, signed amendment to the contract adjusting scope, price, or schedule. Verbal changes are a leading cause of payment disputes.
- Retainage
- A percentage of progress payments withheld by the owner until substantial completion. Commonly five to ten percent; affects contractor cash flow.
- Claim of lien
- A recorded statement asserting a contractor's right to payment secured by the property. In North Carolina, must be filed within 120 days of last furnishing.
- Notice to Lien Agent
- A written notice filed by a contractor to preserve lien rights on a project with a lien agent. Required under North Carolina lien law.
- Statute of repose
- A time limit after substantial completion within which construction defect claims must be brought. North Carolina uses six years for improvements to real property.
- UDTP claim
- Unfair or deceptive trade practices claim under N.C.G.S. 75-1.1. Can expose a contractor to treble damages and attorney fees.
- NCLBGC
- North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors. Issues and disciplines general contractor licenses, including roofing specialty classifications.
- Qualifying individual
- The person who passes the licensing exam and meets experience requirements, allowing a business entity to hold a contractor license.
- Continuing education requirement
- North Carolina requires eight hours of continuing education annually for license renewal, including mandatory hours on licensing laws and safety.
- Fall protection threshold
- OSHA requires fall protection at six feet or more above a lower level for construction work. Roofing near edges requires guardrails, nets, or personal fall arrest.
- Personal fall arrest system
- Harness, lanyard, and anchor assembly that stops a fall. Anchorage must be rated 5,000 pounds per worker or engineered equivalent, with prompt rescue.
- Warning line system
- Barrier set back at least 15 feet from a low-slope roof edge. Alone it is not fall protection unless combined with a safety monitoring system.
- Ladder 4:1 rule
- Extension ladders are set at a 4:1 slope, one foot out for every four feet of height, with three feet extending above the landing.
- Safety Data Sheet
- Document summarizing hazards, handling, and first aid for roofing adhesives, sealants, and solvents. Must be available on site under hazard communication rules.
- Low-slope roof
- A roof with a slope less than 2:12, typically using membrane systems such as EPDM, TPO, PVC, or built-up roofing rather than shingles.
- Standing seam metal roof
- Architectural metal roof with raised seams and concealed clips. Allows thermal movement; fastener and clip detailing must accommodate expansion and contraction.