Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

Which of the following is not a common cause of structural movement in a cottage?

1. Inadequately sized footings

2. Incorrect depth of footings

3. Oversized footings

4. Too large a span between piers

5. Poor soil conditions

6. Excessive moisture

The correct answer is: Oversized footings

Oversized footings generally do not contribute to structural movement in a cottage. While there are many factors that can lead to structural issues, properly designed and sized footings are intended to stabilize a structure by distributing loads evenly across the ground. Oversized footings can actually help in providing additional support and are less likely to lead to movement. In contrast, inadequately sized footings, incorrect depth of footings, poor soil conditions, excessive moisture, and too large a span between piers can all create conditions that lead to settling, shifting, or other forms of structural movement. Each of these causes can undermine the stability of a building, leading to issues such as cracks, misalignment, or even collapse in severe cases. This highlights the importance of correct engineering practices in foundation work to ensure the integrity of the structure.