A service pipe is verified beneath a concrete slab with no direct access, while the comparison pipe is exposed in an accessible crawl space. Which issue is most directly suggested?
Correct Answer
D) Pipe repairs may require cutting into the slab
If the stated pipe is beneath a slab without an access route, reaching it may require slab disruption and a suitable repair plan. Actual routing and access determine the consequence; slab construction alone does not imply no insulation, immunity to soil movement or a universal higher construction cost.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option D is correct because a service pipe beneath a concrete slab with no direct access may require breaking or cutting the slab to reach it. That adds disruption and the need for a suitable repair plan compared with a pipe exposed in an accessible crawl space. The actual consequence depends on the routing and access in the specific building.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: The slab had a higher original construction cost
Option A says the slab had a higher original construction cost. The access difference says nothing about original cost, and slab construction does not by itself imply a higher cost.
Option B: The slab cannot be insulated afterward
Option B says the slab cannot be insulated afterward. Slab insulation can be provided in the design or added at the slab edges, and the facts about pipe access do not relate to insulation.
Option C: The slab cannot shift with soil movement
Option C says the slab cannot shift with soil movement. Slabs can be affected by soil movement, and this claim does not follow from the facts about pipe access.
Buried pipe, break the slab
If the pipe is under concrete with no access, reaching it may mean breaking the concrete. A crawl space lets you crawl in instead.
How to use: Use this when comparing service access in slab and crawl-space foundations.
Exam Tip
Pick the answer that follows directly from the stated facts. Be wary of options that make broad claims about cost, insulation or soil movement.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Assuming slab foundations cannot be insulated
- -Believing slabs are unaffected by soil movement
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests what follows from a verified fact about pipe access. A pipe buried beneath a slab with no access route is harder to reach than one exposed in a crawl space. The direct consequence is that repairs may require disrupting the slab; the other options make broad claims that do not follow from the facts.
Background Knowledge
Foundation type affects how easily plumbing and other services can be reached for maintenance. Crawl spaces generally allow access beneath the floor, while slab-on-grade construction may bury lines in or under concrete. Appraisers describe foundation type and consider maintenance implications along with market reaction.
Real-World Application
An appraiser inspects a slab-on-grade home where the main water line runs under the slab. When the inspection report notes a leak, she recognizes that repair may involve cutting the slab and considers the repair cost in her analysis.
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