Contractor Exam Questions And

CA C15 Flooring & Floor Covering Contractor Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationale2026 Q&A| Instant Download Pdf

• What is the primary purpose of a moisture barrier in flooring

installation?

• To enhance the floor’s color
• To prevent moisture from damaging the flooring
• To make installation faster
• To reduce foot traffic noise

Rationale: Moisture barriers prevent water vapor from causing

damage such as warping or mold growth in flooring materials.

• Which type of flooring is most susceptible to water damage?
• Ceramic tile
• Solid hardwood
• Vinyl
• Laminate tile

Rationale: Solid hardwood absorbs water easily, which can lead to

swelling, warping, or cupping.

• What is the standard expansion gap required around the perimeter of a

floating laminate floor?

• 1/8 inch
• 1/4 inch
• 1/2 inch
• 1 inch 1 / 3

Rationale: A 1/2-inch expansion gap accommodates the natural

expansion and contraction of laminate flooring.

• Which tool is essential for ensuring a level subfloor before installing

vinyl flooring?

• Hammer
• Level
• Screwdriver
• Jigsaw

Rationale: A level ensures that the subfloor is even, preventing

imperfections in the finished floor.

• When installing ceramic tile, what is the purpose of a notched trowel?
• To cut tiles
• To spread adhesive evenly
• To clean grout
• To measure spacing

Rationale: A notched trowel creates uniform ridges in adhesive,

allowing tiles to bond properly and avoid voids.

• What is the recommended acclimation period for hardwood flooring

before installation?

• 1–2 hours
• 24 hours
• 2–3 days
• 3–7 days

Rationale: Hardwood must acclimate to the room’s humidity and

temperature to reduce post-installation movement.

• Which underlayment is best suited for laminate flooring to reduce

noise?

• Plywood
• Foam underlayment
• Concrete
• Ceramic tile

Rationale: Foam underlayment provides cushioning and sound

absorption for floating laminate floors.

• What is the primary advantage of engineered wood over solid wood

flooring?

• Easier to clean
• Cheaper 2 / 3

• More stable with humidity changes
• Heavier

Rationale: Engineered wood has a plywood base that resists

expansion and contraction better than solid wood.

• When installing carpet, which tool is used to stretch the carpet across

the room?

• Hammer
• Knee kicker
• Trowel
• Chisel

Rationale: A knee kicker helps stretch and position carpet over tack

strips during installation.

• Which adhesive is recommended for vinyl sheet flooring?
• Wood glue
• Epoxy
• Vinyl flooring adhesive
• Cement mortar

Rationale: Vinyl flooring adhesives are formulated for proper

bonding and flexibility with vinyl sheets.

• What is the recommended method to prevent cupping in

hardwood floors?

• Install over wet subfloor
• Use thick adhesive
• Maintain proper humidity levels
• Sand before finishing

Rationale: Proper humidity prevents wood from absorbing or losing

excess moisture, which can cause cupping.

• Which type of flooring requires grout for installation?
• Laminate
• Vinyl
• Ceramic or porcelain tile
• Carpet

Rationale: Grout fills the joints between tiles to prevent water

penetration and secure tiles in place.

• What is the correct sequence when installing luxury vinyl tile

(LVT) on a subfloor?

• Adhesive → Tile → Underlayment
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