Inspector Exam Prep 1 – Civil and Structural Engineering – 2026 – Practice
Questions and Study Guide
If water infiltration is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best choice
to verify dampness? - correct answer ✔✔ a non-contact moisture meter
Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most often fail from - correct answer ✔✔ rust and metal
fatigue.
Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as - correct answer ✔✔ percentage.
Connections of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and copper
pipe, will usually cause - correct answer ✔✔ electrolysis.
Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimension lumber floor system? - correct
answer ✔✔ joist width
The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is - correct answer ✔✔ 7 3/4 inches.
An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed -
correct answer ✔✔ upstream from the receptacle.
Circuit breakers - correct answer ✔✔ protect the wire from an electrical overload.
In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a humidifier,
humidity is reduced by - correct answer ✔✔ condensation at the evaporator coil.
, A home inspection report MUST include - correct answer ✔✔ the type of roof material and the
method of observation.
Water hammer can occur as a result of - correct answer ✔✔ a lack of air chambers.
If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas - correct answer ✔✔
the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed.
When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable roof, you
notice a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gutter edge of
the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick. This
condition is MOST likely caused by - correct answer ✔✔ improper ceiling joist installation.
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 - correct answer ✔✔ notify the occupants of the
significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant and client in the report.
When a cooling unit is located in an attic where damage may result from condensate overflow -
correct answer ✔✔ an auxiliary condensate drain system is required.
Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than - correct answer
✔✔ 2 in 12.
If a poured concrete foundation has an unusually large number of vertical cracks, each no wider
than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be - correct answer ✔✔ shrinkage of the concrete from
excess water at the time of pouring.
Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system? - correct
answer ✔✔ at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below
Questions and Study Guide
If water infiltration is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best choice
to verify dampness? - correct answer ✔✔ a non-contact moisture meter
Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most often fail from - correct answer ✔✔ rust and metal
fatigue.
Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as - correct answer ✔✔ percentage.
Connections of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and copper
pipe, will usually cause - correct answer ✔✔ electrolysis.
Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimension lumber floor system? - correct
answer ✔✔ joist width
The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is - correct answer ✔✔ 7 3/4 inches.
An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed -
correct answer ✔✔ upstream from the receptacle.
Circuit breakers - correct answer ✔✔ protect the wire from an electrical overload.
In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a humidifier,
humidity is reduced by - correct answer ✔✔ condensation at the evaporator coil.
, A home inspection report MUST include - correct answer ✔✔ the type of roof material and the
method of observation.
Water hammer can occur as a result of - correct answer ✔✔ a lack of air chambers.
If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas - correct answer ✔✔
the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed.
When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable roof, you
notice a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gutter edge of
the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick. This
condition is MOST likely caused by - correct answer ✔✔ improper ceiling joist installation.
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 - correct answer ✔✔ notify the occupants of the
significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant and client in the report.
When a cooling unit is located in an attic where damage may result from condensate overflow -
correct answer ✔✔ an auxiliary condensate drain system is required.
Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than - correct answer
✔✔ 2 in 12.
If a poured concrete foundation has an unusually large number of vertical cracks, each no wider
than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be - correct answer ✔✔ shrinkage of the concrete from
excess water at the time of pouring.
Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system? - correct
answer ✔✔ at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below
