Inspector Prep National Exam 3

Question 1

1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict whether there will be further settlement?
   (a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
   (b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
   (c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
   (d) You can determine the depth of the footing.

Answer 1

(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.

Question 2

2. You typically identify a Freon leak
   (a) As an oil stain.
   (b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
   (c) By the strong odor.
   (d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines.

Answer 2

(a) As an oil stain.

Question 3

3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components EXCEPT
   (a) Studs
   (b) Bridging
   (c) Sheathing
   (d) Siding

Answer 3

(b) Bridging

Question 4

4. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft EXCEPT
   (a) Adding a draft inducer fan
   (b) Adding a rain cap
   (c) Extending the chimney upward
   (d) Resloping the cap

Answer 4

(d) Resloping the cap

Question 5

5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that
   (a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
   (b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks elsewhere in the building.
   (c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
   (d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation walls.

Answer 5

(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.

Question 6

6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply system?
   (a) Foot valve
   (b) Pump
   (c) Pressure regulator
   (d) Pressure tank

Answer 6

(c) Pressure regulator

Question 7

7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many fans?
   (a) None
   (b) One
   (c) Two
   (d) Four

Answer 7

(c) Two

Question 8

8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because they may
   (a) Increase heat loss.
   (b) Increase air leakage.
   (c) Overheat.
   (d) Have poor architectural appeal.

Answer 8

(c) Overheat.

Question 9

9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged into it. Your tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you improve this inspection process?
   (a) Use a voltage tester
   (b) Use a circuit tester with a GFCI test button
   (c) Unplug the washing machine
   (d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.

Answer 9

(c) Unplug the washing machine

Question 10

10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force
    (a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved inward.
    (b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.
    (c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
    (d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least 1/4” in width.

Answer 10

(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside face.

Question 11

11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are
    (a) Used for anchorage against wind.
    (b) A sign of poor installation.
    (c) A sign of good installation.
    (d) Used to prevent ice dams.

Answer 11

(b) A sign of poor installation.

Question 12

12. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction techniques EXCEPT
    (a) Monolithic slab.
    (b) Floating slab.
    (c) Inverted slab.
    (d) Reinforced slab.

Answer 12

(c) Inverted slab.

Question 13

13. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from combustible framing members of
    (a) 1 inch.
    (b) 2 inches.
    (c) 4 inches.
    (d) 12 inches.

Answer 13

(b) 2 inches.

Question 14

14. Efflorescence
    (a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.
    (b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
    (c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
    (d) Is an organic growth.

Answer 14

(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry walls.

Question 15

15. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning system, the high-pressure side is the portion of the refrigerant line from the
    (a) Compressor to the expansion device.
    (b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
    (c) Expansion device to the compressor.
    (d) Evaporator to the compressor.

Answer 15

(a) Compressor to the expansion device.

Question 16

16. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle roof can typically be verified by
    (a) Looking at the counter flashing.
    (b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
    (c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
    (d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall.

Answer 16

(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall.

Question 17

17. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full basement in cold northern climates than in warm southern climates?
    (a) People in cold climates have snow removal equipment to store.
    (b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost effective.
    (c) Homes with basements need heat. In southern climates, it is a waste of energy to heat the basement.
    (d) There is a lot of bedrock in the southern climates - blasting would be required to make a basement.

Answer 17

(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost effective.

Question 18

18. All of the following are advantages to having clients attend inspections EXCEPT
    (a) An opportunity for better communication.
    (b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend.
    (c) That showing is better than telling.
    (d) You have the opportunity to adjust expectations.

Answer 18

(b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend.

Question 19

19. The flame of the left burner in a two-burner conventional efficiency furnace touches the heat exchanger only when the blower is running. What is likely to be the problem?
    (a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.
    (b) The heat exchanger is cracked on the right side.
    (c) The left burner is dirty.
    (d) The left burner is misaligned.

Answer 19

(a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.

Question 20

20. What would you do if you saw that a roof truss had been cut?
    (a) Advise client to sister a 2 x 4 piece over the cut. The sistered piece should extend at least three feet on either side of the cut.
    (b) Advise client that cuts in trusses are not a problem.
    (c) Look for other signs of distress and, if none, do nothing.
    (d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.

Answer 20

(d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.

Question 21

21. CPVC water pipe may not be used for hot and cold supply lines
    (a) In single-family residences.
    (b) In multifamily residences.
    (c) Inside a building.
    (d) Below grade.

Answer 21

(b) In multifamily residences.

Question 22

22. Garage door problems include all of the following EXCEPT
    (a) A seven-inch step down into garage.
    (b) Poor weatherstripping.
    (c) That it has no self-closer.
    (d) If it opens into a bedroom.

Answer 22

(a) A seven-inch step down into garage.

Question 23

23. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
    (a) Uniform settlement is most often the result of building on undisturbed soils.
    (b) Expansive soils expand as they dry.
    (c) Lowering the basement floor to the top of the footing can cause settlement where there was no settlement initially.
    (d) Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.

Answer 23

(d) Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.

Question 24

24. Foundation irrigation is
    (a) A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils.
    (b) A method of strengthening the foundation concrete-the concrete is kept damp for a couple of days.
    (c) A foundation-drainage technique.
    (d) Used to prevent basement leakage.

Answer 24

(a) A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils.

Question 25

25. A horizontal fracture in the foundation
    (a) Is a shrinkage crack.
    (b) Is not as serious as a vertical crack.
    (c) Reduces the foundation’s ability to resist soil pressure.
    (d) Cannot be caused by adfreezing.

Answer 25

(c) Reduces the foundation’s ability to resist soil pressure.

Question 26

26. Water hammer can be solved or greatly reduced by
    (a) Installing modern quick-closing faucets.
    (b) Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines.
    (c) Avoiding long, vertical rises in the pipe.
    (d) Avoiding long, horizontal runs of pipe.

Answer 26

(b) Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines.

Question 27

27. Piers may move because the
    (a) Footings are oversized.
    (b) Piers are not adequately loaded.
    (c) Soil below is disturbed.
    (d) Beams are undersized.

Answer 27

(c) Soil below is disturbed.

Question 28

28. Attic insulation may be wet as a result of any of the following EXCEPT
    (a) Insulation that is too close to chimneys.
    (b) A roof leak.
    (c) Condensation.
    (d) An exhaust fan discharging directly into the insulation.

Answer 28

(a) Insulation that is too close to chimneys.

Question 29

29. These products are all asphalt based EXCEPT for
    (a) Roofing cement.
    (b) Asphalt cement.
    (c) Plastic cement.
    (d) Caulking.

Answer 29

(d) Caulking.

Question 30

30. All of the following are true with EIFS EXCEPT that
    (a) It is typically applied directly to a polystyrene insulation board.
    (b) It is typically a two-coat process.
    (c) A fiber glass mesh replaces wire lath.
    (d) The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco.

Answer 30

(d) The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco.