Home Makeover
RCA Answer Resource
Session 2
 RESEARCH QUESTION
Latex paint may be applied quickly using what type of spray painting system?
Book: Painting and Decorating
 CHALLENGE QUESTION
When the foundation, framing, windows, and roofing are finished, a house is considered closed in. What
percentage of the total building costs should have been spent?
Guide to the answer: Add the percentages for foundation, framing, windows, and roofing to get the answer.
 APPLICATION QUESTION
Metal roofing is sold by the square, which is 100 square feet. How much metal roofing would be required
for a shed roof that is 20 feet wide and 40 feet long?
Guide to the answer: Length X Width = Square feet
÷
100 square feet = _______ squares
Home Makeover
RCA Answer Resource
Session 3
 RESEARCH QUESTION
When preparing to paint a home where lead-based paint was used, which of the following methods is not
approved for lead abatement?
Book: Painting and Decorating
 CHALLENGE QUESTION
Five porch columns 8" in diameter and 10' tall need painted. Approximately how many square feet need
to be painted?
Guide to the answer: # of square feet per foot of a 8” diameter column X height of column X # of
columns
 APPLICATION QUESTION
A certain brand of wood siding is sold in 12" x 16' lengths. Each row of siding will cover 11 inches of
wall height. How many rows of siding will be needed to cover a wall 31' wide and 10' high?
Guide to the answer: Height of wall to be covered X width of certain brand of wood siding
inches of wall height each row of siding will cover
÷ # of
Home Makeover
RCA Answer Resource
Session 4
 RESEARCH QUESTION
How wide should the main entrance door for a house be?
Book: Home Repair and Maintenance
 CHALLENGE QUESTION
The addition on your house needs to have a 3:12 pitch roof to match the old roof. According to the graph,
what is the maximum width this addition can be and still use a truss built with 2 x 4 lumber?
Guide to the answer: Use the lower bar on each set of data to determine the 2 x 4 truss will span.
 APPLICATION QUESTION
Horizontal drain lines should slope from 1/8" to 1/4" per foot of run. If a drain line is extended 8', how
much lower will the extended end be?
Guide to the answer: Use the formulas below to solve the problem.
1/8"
x
length of drain line = _______ and 1/4" x length of drain line = _________
Home Makeover
RCA Answer Resource
Session 5
 RESEARCH QUESTION
What is the creation of a dead air space between the warm air inside a structure and the cold air outside a
structure called?
Book: Home Repair and Maintenance
 CHALLENGE QUESTION
How much wider can a building with a 4:12 slope roof be if the trusses are built with 2 x 6 lumber rather
than 2 x 4 lumber?
Guide to the answer: Use the graph beside the 4-6:12 slope to find that a 2 x 4 truss will span _____ feet
and a 2 x 6 truss will span _____ feet. What is the difference?
 APPLICATION QUESTION
A manufacturer states their paint will cover 400 square feet per gallon. How much paint should you
purchase to paint a house that is 30' wide and 54' long and has siding 10' high?
Guide to the answer: Use the information below to solve the problem.
Step 1: Find the perimeter of the house by adding the lengths of the 4 sides.
Step 2: Then multiply the perimeter times the height to find the area to be painted.
Step 3: Divide the area by the coverage per gallon and round to the next quart.