ITAZ RQ: Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-7)

Question 1

Home inspection reports must include:

a. recommendations to correct or monitor deficiencies.
b. life expectancy of components and systems.
c. causes of need for major repair.
d. methods of materials for repairs.
e. cost of repairs.

Answer 1

a. recommendations to correct or monitor deficiencies.

Question 2

Home inspectors

a. must disclose an interest in a business which may affect the client.
b. having disclosed any interest in a business which may affect the client, must decline to perform the inspection.
c. may use the home inspection to gather referral work in other fields.
d. may waive the home inspection fee if a repair contract on the home is subsequently signed between the client and home inspector.
e. may collect separate fees from two interested parties, as long as at least one party is aware of it

Answer 2

a. must disclose an interest in a business which may affect the client.

Question 3

Home inspection standards of practice

a. should not be shared with clients, in order to reduce your liability.
b. are not widely required by state licensing bodies and professional organizations.
c. define the scope of your work for and responsibilities to your client.
d. are nearly identical in all states and professional organizations.
e. can be disregarded if you are running short of time during an inspection.

Answer 3

c. define the scope of your work for and responsibilities to your client.

Question 4

Common problems with any exterior cladding include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. water penetration
b. too close to window openings
c. too close to grade.
d. too close to roof surfaces.
e. planters against the wall.

Answer 4

b. too close to window openings

Question 5

Common stucco problems include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. cracking
b. bulging
c. crumbling
d. rusted lath
e. no paint

Answer 5

e. no paint

Question 6

Common problems with metal and vinyl siding include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. buckled or way
b. loose
c. mechanical damage
d. metal siding not grounded
e. nails not driven tight

Answer 6

e. nails not driven tight

Question 7

Generally speaking, guardrails are

a. required on balconies only.
b. required on any decks, porches or balconies 36” above grade.
c. required on any decks, porches or balconies over 24” or 30” above grade.
d. not regulated by jurisdiction.
e. required on stairs leading to any balcony.

Answer 7

c. required on any decks, porches or balconies over 24” or 30” above grade.

Question 8

The following are common problems with overhead sectional vehicle doors in garages EXCEPT:

a. difficult to open or close.
b. rot.
c. dents or other mechanical damage.
d. counterweights
e. automatic opener problems

Answer 8

d. counterweights

Question 9

Which of the following is an implication of improper lot grading?

a. Difficulty in establishing sod
b. Foundation damage
c. Trees growing too close to the house
d. Reduced insulation values
e. Contamination of water supplies

Answer 9

b. Foundation damage

Question 10

All of the following are common problems with walks and driveways EXCEPT:

a. cracked surfaces
b. uneven surfaces
c. control joints
d. improper slope
e. poor drainage

Answer 10

c. control joints

Question 11

Which roofing material commonly imitates clay?

a. asphalt shingle
b. roll roofing
c. slate
d. wood
e. poor drainage

Answer 11

e. poor drainage

Question 12

Patches on roofs almost always indicate

a. good maintenance
b. prior leakage
c. poor installation
d. multiple layers on roofs
e. previous bad storms

Answer 12

b. prior leakage

Question 13

Roofing problems are most common

a. at the eaves
b. at the rakes
c. at the ridges
d. above bathrooms and kitchens
e. at flashings and roof penetrations

Answer 13

e. at flashings and roof penetrations

Question 14

Two layers of asphalt shingle roofing material

a. are good because this provides double protection against leaks
b. may result in a shorter life for the second layer of shingles
c. improves attic insulation
d. helps keep the house cooler during the summer
e. is not permitted due to the extra load on the roof structure

Answer 14

b. may result in a shorter life for the second layer of shingles

Question 15

The valley flashings should widen at the bottom to

a. improve the aesthetics of the roof
b. make it easier to install the shingles
c. allow for proper nailing pattern
d. minimize the risk of ice damming
e. allow for the greater accumulation of water that collects there

Answer 15

e. allow for the greater accumulation of water that collects there

Question 16

There is a chimney protruding through a roll roofing valley flashing on the roof. You report there may be leakage here because

a. the chimney height is insufficient
b. the chimney obstructs valley drainage
c. the nails from the chimney flashing penetrate the valley flashing
d. the roofer did not cut the points at the valley
e. the rover used roll roofing rather than metal

Answer 16

b. the chimney obstructs valley drainage

Question 17

Flashings are typically located at

a. valleys
b. roof penetrations
c. intersections with other materials
d. all of the above
e. none of the above

Answer 17

d. all of the above

Question 18

The purpose of the gravel on a built up tar and gravel roof is to

a. provide ballast to help hold the roof membrane down
b. prevent de-lamination of the plies
c. protect the membrane from ultraviolet light
d. all of the above
e. (a.) and (c.) only

Answer 18

e. (a.) and (c.) only

Question 19

An inspector should not walk on a roof

a. if it could cause damage or is unsafe
b. ever
c. when the owner is home
d. when it is a flat roof
e. none of the above

Answer 19

a. if it could cause damage or is unsafe

Question 20

Slate (choose two answers)

a. is a natural product
b. is a manufactured product
c. lasts longer than asphalt shingles
d. does not last as long as wood
e. is lighter than would

Answer 20

a. is a natural product

c. lasts longer than asphalt shingles

Question 21

Differential settlement is

a. settlement that occurs at a control joint
b. when one part of the house settles and the rest does not
c. the cause of all horizontal foundation cracks
d. associated with shrinkage cracks
e. never a problem in organic soils

Answer 21

b. when one part of the house settles and the rest does not

Question 22

Columns transfer live and dead loads

a. from joists to footings
b. from beams to footings
c. from joists to soil directly
d. from subfloors to joists
e. from subfloors to footings

Answer 22

b. from beams to footings

Question 23

Cracks due to horizontal forces are usually

a. vertical
b. diagonal
c. accompanied by bowing and urging
d. most pronounced at the edge, and die out toward the middle of the wall
e. insignificant

Answer 23

c. accompanied by bowing and urging

Question 24

Beams rest on

a. foundations
b. columns
c. studs
d. joists
e. both (a.) and (b.)

Answer 24

e. both (a.) and (b.)

Question 25

On a steel beam, rust is most likely to be found

a. on the top
b. on the end
c. in the middle
d. in the web
e. all of the above

Answer 25

b. on the end

Question 26

The implication of failed sills include all of these EXCEPT:
a. the house shifting or overturning
sloped or sagging floors
c. heaved floors
d. differential settlement
e. structural collapse

Answer 26

c. heaved floors

Question 27

The top of a column should be

a. bonded to a beam with adhesive
b. at least as wide as the beam above it
c. ailed to at least 2 joists
d. fitted with shims for future adjustment
e. supported by a diagonal bridging or blocking

Answer 27

b. at least as wide as the beam above it

Question 28

All of these are common joist problems EXCEPT:

a. rotated or twisted
b. sagging
c. joists running parallel to walls below
d. rot
e. excessive notching

Answer 28

c. joists running parallel to walls below

Question 29

Which single wall is most likely to contain both an arch and a lintel?

a. solid brick
b. solid stone
c. wood frame
d. wood frame brick veneer
e. a cavity wall

Answer 29

a. solid brick

Question 30

More serious cracks tend to be
a. horizontal
b. diagonal
c. vertical
d random
e. in more than one plane

Answer 30

e. in more than one plane

Question 31

Offset walls supporting floor loads above

a. can cause a floor to sag near the wall
b. are not permitted
c. cannot be offset by more than 3 feet from their support below
d. are unlimited in location as long as they are perpendicular to the joists below
e. are unlimited in location as long as they are parallel to their joists below

Answer 31

a. can cause a floor to sag near the wall

Question 32

Which of the following statements applies to notching or putting holes in truss members?

a. Holes should be no more than 1/3 of the depth of the member.
b. Neither holes nor notches are permitted anywhere on a truss.
c. Holes are permitted only in the middle third of the bottom chord of a truss.
d. Holes and notches are not permitted in the top or bottom chord but are permitted in the webs.
e. Since the top chord of a truss is always in compression, holes may be drilled as long as they are no bigger than 1/3 of the depth.

Answer 32

b. Neither holes nor notches are permitted anywhere on a truss.

Question 33

Which of the following are truss conditions that should be reported (choose 3)

a. Hole at the 1/4 point of web (less than 1/3 thickness).
b. Weak gusset connection.
c. 1 inch by 4 inch board nailed into webs of adjacent trusses.
d. Truss uplift
e. Insulation completely covers the bottom chord of the truss.

Answer 33

a. Hole at the 1/4 point of web (less than 1/3 thickness).
b. Weak gusset connection.
d. Truss uplift

Question 34

Air barriers

a. are only important in warm climates
b. help control heat and moisture flow
c. help control heat flow only
d. help control moisture flow only
e. are not as important as vapor barriers

Answer 34

c. help control heat flow only

Question 35

Attic duct problems include all the following EXCEPT:

a. leaking
b. over-sized
c. disconnected
d. insulation missing or loose
e. air/vapor barrier missing or damaged

Answer 35

b. over-sized

Question 36

The four common types of vents for roof spaces are

a. soffit, ridge, roof and gable
b. soffit, baffle, mansard and gambrel
c. baffle, ridge, roof and gambrel
d. baffle, ridge, roof and gable
e. soffit, fascia, roof and gable

Answer 36

a. soffit, ridge, roof and gable

Question 37

Common attic access hatch problems include all the following EXCEPT:

a. not insulated
b. over-sized
c. not weather stripped
d. missing
e. inaccessible

Answer 37

b. over-sized

Question 38

All of the following are common flooring problems, EXCEPT:

a. water damage
b. trip hazard
c. mechanical damage
d. paint or stain needed
e. loose or missing pieces

Answer 38

d. paint or stain needed

Question 39

A flashlight can be used during wall inspections to

a. be rolled across the wall surface to feel for irregularities
b. shine parallel to the wall to look for irregularities
c. shine at the wall, section by section, to ensure all areas are scanned
d. find reflective molds
e. identify condensation on walls by reflection and refraction of light.

Answer 39

b. shine parallel to the wall to look for irregularities

Question 40

Tread problems on stairs include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. too wide
b. worn
c. sloped
d. poorly supported
e. loose

Answer 40

a. too wide

Question 41

Common window frame problems include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. rot
b. frame deformation
c. rust
d. drain holes blocked or missing
e. inoperable

Answer 41

e. inoperable

Question 42

Which of the following statements about wet basements is most accurate?

a. The presence of sumps and sump pumps usually means that the basement has a history of leakage.
b. Controlling surface water outside the home is not an important component of avoiding wet basements
c. Almost all basements get wet at some point.
d. Predicting when basements will flood is straight forward based on clues you can find during the home inspection.
e. Detecting recurrent, previous basement flooding is straight forward based on clues you can find during the home inspection.

Answer 42

c. Almost all basements get wet at some point.

Question 43

Which of the following suggests an improperly supported service drop?

a. rusting conduit
b. water in the service panel
c. no seal on meter
d. missing drip loop
e. PVC conduit bulging between the meter and the elbow at the base

Answer 43

d. missing drip loop

Question 44

Which one of the following is a reliable indicator of service amperage?

a. The size of the service drop wires
b. the size of the service entrance conduit
c. the rating of the meter
d. the size of the service entrance conductors
e. the rating of the distribution panel

Answer 44

d. the size of the service entrance conductors

Question 45

The grounded service conductor

a. is called the neutral
b. connects to the water pipe and/or the ground rod
c. is often black in color
d. cannot be aluminum
e. must be bonded to the gas piping

Answer 45

a. is called the neutral

Question 46

Which of the following is a suitable location for a branch circuit wire?

a. attached to a baseboard with suitable staples every 4 feet
b. exposed in an attic
c. within one inch of the face of a stud
d. taped to hot water heating piping
e. stapled to two by four studs

Answer 46

e. stapled to two by four studs

Question 47

Wires should be kept

a. tight against heating ducts or pipes
b. at least one inch away from heating ducts or pipes
c. at least two inches away from heating ducts or pipes
d. at least six inches away from heating ducts or pipes
e. at least nine inches away from heating ducts or pipes

Answer 47

b. at least one inch away from heating ducts or pipes

Question 48

How far should wires be kept from the metal vent connector on a gas appliance?

a. It can contact the vent connector as long as it is NMD cable.
b. one inch
c. six inches
d. nine inches
e. eighteen inches

Answer 48

c. six inches

Question 49

Problems with aluminum wiring include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. it tends to creep out from under terminal screws
b. some of the early aluminum wiring was low quality
c. it lacked a ground wire
d. the aluminum oxide is not a good conductor of electricity
e. aluminum is softer than copper and easier to damage

Answer 49

c. it lacked a ground wire

Question 50

All of these are common closet lighting problems EXCEPT:

a. the light is above a shelf,
b. the light is mounted on a wall above the door
c. bare bulbs are used
d. bare bulbs are used with cages to provide mechanical protection
e. installing the light above and toward one end of the shelf

Answer 50

b. the light is mounted on a wall above the door