Professional Home Inspector Exam
NHIE / TREC Questions and Answers
100% Pass
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
- CORRECT ANSWER--Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - CORRECT ANSWER-
1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - CORRECT ANSWER-Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - CORRECT ANSWER-Used for Backflow
Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
,Lintel - CORRECT ANSWER-L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer
above openings such as windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios - CORRECT ANSWER-A deck 30" above grade
requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement siding - CORRECT
ANSWER-1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - CORRECT
ANSWER-1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - CORRECT
ANSWER-All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without
special knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation? -
COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,CORRECT ANSWER-Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done
properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - CORRECT ANSWER-The
slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - CORRECT ANSWER-Rake
edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? - CORRECT ANSWER-a
platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause? - CORRECT ANSWER-A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
- CORRECT ANSWER-2"
, When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct way
to place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Score or
remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? - CORRECT ANSWER-Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - CORRECT ANSWER-12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles - CORRECT
ANSWER-18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Above
stairs, staircase tread depth - CORRECT ANSWER-Tread depth should be a
minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
NHIE / TREC Questions and Answers
100% Pass
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
- CORRECT ANSWER--Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - CORRECT ANSWER-
1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - CORRECT ANSWER-Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - CORRECT ANSWER-Used for Backflow
Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
,Lintel - CORRECT ANSWER-L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer
above openings such as windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios - CORRECT ANSWER-A deck 30" above grade
requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement siding - CORRECT
ANSWER-1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - CORRECT
ANSWER-1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - CORRECT
ANSWER-All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without
special knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation? -
COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
,CORRECT ANSWER-Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done
properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - CORRECT ANSWER-The
slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - CORRECT ANSWER-Rake
edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? - CORRECT ANSWER-a
platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - CORRECT ANSWER-To
control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause? - CORRECT ANSWER-A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
- CORRECT ANSWER-2"
, When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct way
to place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Score or
remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
CORRECT ANSWER-Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? - CORRECT ANSWER-Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - CORRECT ANSWER-12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles - CORRECT
ANSWER-18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Above
stairs, staircase tread depth - CORRECT ANSWER-Tread depth should be a
minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs
should be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
