National Home Inspection

Front 1

A sidewall extends past a roof. Hardboard siding is water damaged a few tiles beyond where the roof and sidewall meet. The roof covering is asphalt strip shingles. What is the most likely cause of this condition

Back 1

Kick out flashing was not installed

Front 2

A 1/2 inch wide gap exists between the drywall wall and ceiling. The seller reports that this gap opens in the winter and closes in the summer. What is the most likely cause of this condition?

Back 2

truss uplift

Front 3

A color tie would most likely be found in

Back 3

the upper part of the attic

Front 4

a crack that varies in width between 3/8 inch at the floor to 1/8 inch 2 feet down from the wall top. What is the most likely cause of this condition?

Back 4

The soil is unstable under the footing.

Front 5

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?

Back 5

0 inches

Front 6

Racking is most likely to occur from failure to install

Back 6

wall bracing.

Front 7

You see a ceramic tile floor with numerous cracks running through the grout and the tiles. The floor system is constructed using 2x10 floor joists. Which is the most likely cause of this condition?

Back 7

The floor joist span is too long.

Front 8

You see uniform width cracks at both upper corners of all windows along one top story wall. Which is the most likely cause of this condition?

Back 8

The wall is improperly braced

Front 9

The grounding electrode system of a house

Back 9

provides an alternate return path for electricity.

Front 10

How many energized conductors supply 240 volt, 200 amp, single phase electric service?

Back 10

2

Front 11

A circuit breaker protects against too much

Back 11

current

Front 12

Which event is most likely to cause arc flash?

Back 12

metal touching an energized conductor

Front 13

A subpanel in a detached building has melted insulation on a neutral conductor. What is most likely cause of this condition?

Back 13

The neutral conductor is loose at the terminal bar.

Front 14

In which location may NM cable be installed?

Back 14

on top of ceiling joists located 6 feet from an attic access opening

Front 15

A 2-slot receptacle has been replaced with a 3-slot receptacle in a branch circuit that does contain an equipment grounding conductor? Which method is permitted?

Back 15

Replace the receptacle with a GFCI receptacle.

Front 16

Where would an evaporative cooler be most effective?

Back 16

Phoenix, AZ

Front 17

When a heat pump is operating in cooling mode the temperature of the liquid line should be a few degrees

Back 17

warmer than the outside air temperature.

Front 18

The effect of high humidity on an air conditioning system will be

Back 18

a decrease in the sensible load.

Front 19

What is most likely to cause the greatest reduction of air flow in a flexible air duct?

Back 19

a 90° bend in the duct

Front 20

What is the most likely result of insufficient air flow across the evaporator coil?

Back 20

Ice forms on the evaporator coil.

Front 21

Which is the best example of heat flow by conduction?

Back 21

heat flowing from the inside to the outside of a radiator

Front 22

When should combustion air NOT be drawn from inside a building?

Back 22

the building is built using tight construction methods

Front 23

The flame from a properly adjusted oil burner should be what color?

Back 23

White

Front 24

What component is involved in controlling when a hot water boiler activates?

Back 24

an aquastat

Front 25

Where would an equalizer pipe be found?

Back 25

near a steam boiler

Front 26

Brown-colored particles under the flue collar of an induced draft gas furnace are most likely an indication of which defect?

Back 26

an excessively long vent connector

Front 27

Permeability is the property of a material that allows the passage of

Back 27

water vapor

Front 28

In a cold climate, a vapor retarder should be installed on which sides of a wall?

Back 28

the side facing conditioned space

Front 29

Fiberglass batt insulation slows heat movement by

Back 29

slowing air movement within the insulation.

Front 30

What action would most likely reduce fiberglass batt insulation R-value by the largest amount?

Back 30

not placing the insulation in contact with an air barrier

Front 31

Where would a radiant barrier be MOST effective?

Back 31

in an attic in Phoenix, AZ

Front 32

Why should 50% - 60% of the attic ventilation opening be at the eaves?

Back 32

Pressure in the attic will be neutral or positive.

Front 33

Which may be used as water distribution pipe in a house?

Back 33

PEX

Front 34

What is the best definition of a cross-connection?

Back 34

A plumbing water distribution pipe is connected to a contaminant source.

Front 35

What is the MOST likely result of thermal expansion?

Back 35

A clothes washing machine hose bursts.

Front 36

Where is an S-trap most likely to be located?

Back 36

under a kitchen sink

Front 37

The label on a 240 volt electric water heater indicates that the element wattage should be 4,500.The measured current is 14.6 amps. The MOST likely explanation is that

Back 37

the wrong size has been installed.

Front 38

The client complains of an occasional foul odor in a seldom used bathroom. Which is the most likely cause of this issue?

Back 38

The bathtub trap water seal has evaporated.

Front 39

What is the MOST likely explanation for a drywall crack that extends up from one window corner?

Back 39

wall lateral movement

Front 40

An interior door rubs the header on the latch side. There are no cracks in the drywall around the door. What is the MOST likely reason for this to occur?

Back 40

The door is unpainted on top.

Front 41

Which component supports a stairway?

Back 41

stringer

Front 42

Where is stairway width measured?

Back 42

above the handrail

Front 43

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

Back 43

extension springs.

Front 44

What is the best material for a masonry chimney crown?

Back 44

concrete

Front 45

The process by which heat changes wood chemistry making it more likely to burn is called

Back 45

pyrolysis

Front 46

Creosote is most likely to be created in a chimney when burning

Back 46

unseasoned oak.

Front 47

What is the BEST reason for a chimney to terminate above nearby obstructions?

Back 47

Wind may force combustion products down the flue.

Front 48

A chimney should NOT be located on an exterior wall because

Back 48

flue temperature may be too cold.

Front 49

A wood-burning stove is listed for 12 inches clearance to combustibles. What is the minimum clearance to combustibles for the stove when using a sheet metal and air space clearance reduction device?

Back 49

12 inches

Front 50

Inspection of which appliance is NOT within the scope of a home inspection?

Back 50

refrigerator

Front 51

A properly installed food waste disposer that makers no sound when activated can sometimes be activated by

Back 51

pressing the thermal cutoff button.

Front 52

What is the prescriptive MINIMUM distance between the bottom of a microwave oven and a range cooking surface?

Back 52

There is no prescriptive minimum distance

Front 53

What is LEAST likely to be an approved pool access barrier?

Back 53

a self-latching pedestrian gate

Front 54

Which is NOT a type of pool filter?

Back 54

pea gravel

Front 55

A double gate that allows access to the pool should be

Back 55

self-latching

Front 56

The primary function of a skimmer is to provide

Back 56

a means to remove debris from the surface of the water.

Front 57

Which of these irrigation components is MOST often required in areas where water is scarce?

Back 57

rain sensor

Front 58

Which is MOST likely to be a problem when an emitter is located near the house?

Back 58

water will enter the crawl space or basement

Front 59

Which would NOT be an approved irrigation system pipe?

Back 59

Schedule 20 PVC

Front 60

The home inspector is NOT required to report the location of the

Back 60

water meter

Front 61

The home inspector is required to report the location of the

Back 61

electric service equipment

Front 62

What information is NOT required in an inspection report?

Back 62

the property's legal description

Front 63

The closet where the water heater is located was locked. Hot water was available where required. The best way to report this situation is the water heater

Back 63

was not inspected because the door was locked.

Front 64

The MINIMUM inspection of an accessible attic involves viewing the attic

Back 64

from the access opening.

Front 65

A toilet water supply valve is shut off. The best way to deal with this situation is to

Back 65

report that the toilet was not tested because the valve was off.

Front 66

A roof is accessible by ladder and the home inspector believes the roof is safe to walk on. The MINIMUN method of inspecting this roof involves

Back 66

viewing the roof from the ground.

Front 67

A roof covering is concealed by snow. The attic inspection reveals no evidence of water leaks. The best method of reporting this situation is to state the roof covering was

Back 67

concealed by snow and not inspected.

Front 68

What is the most accurate deficiency description for a dimension lumber floor joist that is not deformed but has a clear span longer than allowed by current standards?

Back 68

significantly deficient

Front 69

What information is usually required when reporting a deficient component?

Back 69

the implication of the deficiency

Front 70

Which of the following is the BEST example of an unsafe condition?

Back 70

a stairway with uneven height risers

Front 71

A 3-light receptacle tester will NOT display

Back 71

a bootleg ground.

Front 72

A fiberglass shingle roof covering is inspected during the summer. What is the LEAST likely indication that the shingles are near the end of their service life?

Back 72

a roof leak

Front 73

What is the MOST likely indication that an air-source air conditioning system is near the end of its service life?

Back 73

rust on the condenser components

Front 74

What is the MOST likely indication that an electric water heater lower element has failed?

Back 74

some hot water, then warm water at all faucets

Front 75

An eight foot tall concrete block wall leans in 1/2 inch and is not cracked. The wall is damp with moderate efflorescence. Who is the best specialist to recommend?

Back 75

a landscape contractor

Front 76

Nails that penetrate the roof sheathing are rusted. Some areas of roof sheathing present moisture stains and fungal growth. What is the MOST likely cause of these conditions?

Back 76

air leaking from the house into the attic

Front 77

There is a crack at the upper corner on the lock side of an interior door. The crack gets wider as it runs toward the ceiling. The door scrapes against the lock-side jamb. What is the BEST recommendation in this situation?

Back 77

evaluation by a contractor

Front 78

While performing a buyer's inspection at an occupied house, the home inspector detects a minor gas leak at the exterior gas meter. What is the home inspector's MOST appropriate action?

Back 78

notify the seller's real estate agent

Front 79

What is NOT required to establish an agreement between a home inspector and a client?

Back 79

negotiation

Front 80

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?

Back 80

There was no opportunity to negotiate the agreement.

Front 81

A home inspection agreement is most likely to be interpreted using which law?

Back 81

state

Front 82

A real estate agent's signature on an inspection agreement is most likely to be valid if

Back 82

the agent is acting within the scope of the agent's authority

Front 83

A limitation of remedies clause is most likely to have which effect?

Back 83

reduce the client's recovery of damages from the home inspector

Front 84

Mediation can best be described as a

Back 84

facilitated negotiation

Front 85

What situation would general liability insurance be likely to cover?

Back 85

Home inspector makes a hole in the ceiling.

Front 86

A home inspector surety bond may best be described as a promise to pay if

Back 86

the home inspector does not pay a court judgement.

Front 87

Ordinary negligence can best be described as a failure to

Back 87

perform as a reasonable person would have under similar conditions.

Front 88

A home inspector failed to report a significant defect. Recovery of monetary damages is most likely as an act of

Back 88

negligent misrepresentation

Front 89

Which is most likely to be considered an ethical breach by a home inspector?

Back 89

paying to be a real estate brokerage's preferred home inspector

Front 90

The home inspector encounters a steam boiler that is shut down for the season. The home inspector has been trained to inspect steam boilers but rarely sees them. What is the best method for dealing with this situation?

Back 90

Report that the boiler was not inspected and recommend that it be inspected.

Front 91

Sending the inspection report to which party is LEAST likely to be considered an ethical breach by a home inspector? Assume all parties attended the inspection.

Back 91

the client's parents

Front 92

There are four soil classifications.

Back 92

True

Front 93

Clay and sand are considered fine-grain soils.

Back 93

Flase

Front 94

Clay receives its bearing strength by cohesion

Back 94

True

Front 95

Differential settlement may cause

Back 95

all of the above

Front 96

The real estate inspector must recognize and report possible foundation problems.

Back 96

True

Front 97

Four basic footing types are commonly used in residential construction.

Back 97

True

Front 98

The footing used is determined by

Back 98

all of the above

Front 99

The sill plate secures to the top of the foundation wall.

Back 99

True

Front 100

Foundations with a crawlspace do not require venting.

Back 100

False