National Home Inspector

Question 1

Describes partial vapor pressure.

Answer 1

Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.

Question 2

In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be a clear air channel between the ___________.

Answer 2

Roof boards and the insulation.

Question 3

Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous because they increase the likelihood of shock at?

Answer 3

Connected equipment.

Question 4

The term “wet vent” refers to a?

Answer 4

Waste line that also functions as a vent.

Question 5

EIFS is a siding material that looks like stucco but lacks a __________.

Answer 5

wire mesh.

Question 6

The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be?

Answer 6

Concaved

Question 7

When a water heater thermostat is set to this temperature, a mixing vale should be installed to temper the water?

Answer 7

140 ° F or higher

Question 8

In a forced air furnace, the burners generate heat where?

Answer 8

The heat exchanger.

Question 9

When a home inspector finds a safety issue in a home, what actions should be taken?

Answer 9

Determine the degree of immediacy, and report to the appropriate parties.

Question 10

If Ivy has grown across the entire exterior brick wall surfaces of a house, what should the home inspector report say?

Answer 10

Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal.

Question 11

What’s the correct termination where the sloped roof terminates with an EIFS wall?

Answer 11

A kick-out flashing into the gutter.

Question 12

Fireplace flues must extend AT LEAST how high?

Answer 12

Three feet above roof penetration and two feet above the highest point within 10 feet.

Question 13

Damage from ice dams could indicate what?

Answer 13

Insufficient attic insulation.

Question 14

When evaluating the operation of an AC system during the summer months, the temperature differential between the supply and renew air should typically be?

Answer 14

15-20 ° F.

Question 15

Two roof trusses passing above an interior hallway have been cut to install a pull-down attic ladder. There is no cracking or indication of distress in the walls or ceilings. What is the appropriate action?

Answer 15

Recommend this situation be referred to a structural engineer.

Question 16

On a previous work day, you left a crawl space access cover off of the access to the pantry. A party fell the next day and was injured. Which insurance types will be used to pay damages?

Answer 16

General liability and homeowners’ coverage

Question 17

Hairline cracks in the concrete floor with no vertical displacement in a one year old house indicates what?

Answer 17

Normal plastic shrinkage.

Question 18

If trusses are altered, cut, drilled, or modified in any way, what should be done?

Answer 18

Recommend that a structural engineer be consulted.

Question 19

To measure carbon monoxide, you should use a?

Answer 19

CO detector.

Question 20

A pipe set in gravel running continuously along the exterior of a building’s foundation footings is a what?

Answer 20

A drainage tile.

Question 21

The framing method that uses studs continuously from the sill to the roof is called?

Answer 21

Balloon framing

Question 22

While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires?

Answer 22

An approved brace or box.

Question 23

During an inspection of a gas dryer, you observe no exhaust vent. Your report should recommend installing?

Answer 23

A metal dryer duct vented to the exterior.

Question 24

What size are the holes that powder post beetles create?

Answer 24

Approximately 1/16 inch in diameter

Question 25

During your inspection you see that the air conditioning system has supply registers in each bedroom, but only one large return register is located in the center hallway. Your FIRST course of action would be to check to see?

Answer 25

If the bedroom doors are undercut at the bottom.

Question 26

The MOST common cause of chimney flue liner deterioration is?

Answer 26

Condensation

Question 27

A safety mandate in a remodeled home where a hydro-massage bathtub has been added requires this type of of circuit?

Answer 27

GFCI

Question 28

Which plumbing fixture valves should not be operated?

Answer 28

Shut-off valves.

Question 29

To avoid scalding injuries, heating elements should be set to what temp?

Answer 29

120°F

Question 30

The proper slope on a drain line is?

Answer 30

1/4 inch to 1/2 inch per foot.

Question 31

A claims made, errors and omissions insurance policy includes claims filed?

Answer 31

During the time the policy is in effect.

Question 32

While inspecting a heat pump in the cooling mode, you measure a 28 degree F differential between the interior supply and return air. When the ambient outdoor conditions are 92 degrees and 50% humidity, you should suspect?

Answer 32

A dirty air handler filter.

Question 33

When measuring the temperature differential between supply air and return air in a central air conditioning system, on a humid summer day the difference should be?

Answer 33

15 degree F and 20 degrees F.

Question 34

While inspecting a metal framed building, you observe non-metallic sheathed wire installed through standard cut-outs. Your report will suggest?

Answer 34

A plastic grommets should be installed.

Question 35

Copper-clad aluminum and aluminum have the same what?

Answer 35

Ampacity

Question 36

A notch in a 12 foot long 2x10 floor joist is located 5 feet from the joist end. What is the MAXIMUM allowed notch depth?

Answer 36

A notch isn’t allowed

Question 37

On a vehicle door, a containment cable should be installed on the?

Answer 37

Extension springs

Question 38

A newly built ventilated crawl space with a vapor retarder is REQUIRED to have one square ft of vent for every?

Answer 38

1,500 square feet of crawl space.

Question 39

You inspect a wood framed cantilevered balcony off a second-story bedroom. You find significant wood deterioration (at least one-half member depth) of all cantilever joists at the bearing point of the house. You should?

Answer 39

Notify the occupants of the significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant and client in the report.

Question 40

At what level would water pressure within a single-family dwelling begin to be considered excessive and require correction?

Answer 40

80 psi

Question 41

This is NOT a type of pool filter?

Answer 41

Pea gravel

Question 42

A home inspector makes a hole in the ceiling. Which insurance would be likely to cover it?

Answer 42

General Liability

Question 43

This is most likely to reduce the client’s recovery of damages from the home inspector?

Answer 43

A limitation of remedies clause.

Question 44

An inspection agreement presented to the client after the inspection may be declared invalid. What is the MOST likely reason for declaring such agreements invalid?

Answer 44

There was no opportunity to negotiate the agreement.