NHIE Structural 2026 Test with all Correct & 100%
Verified Answers |Latest Update |Already Graded A+
When inspecting a home, you note horizontal cracks. Which of the following would NOT be a
cause of overload from the outside?
A. moisture
B. frost
C. soil pressure
D. backfill ✔Correct Answer-A. Moisture
You observe long horizontal cracks in a CMU basement wall or foundation stem wall. The cause
is MOST likely due to
A. excessive loading on top of the wall
B. highly expansive clay soils
C. lack of floor drains
D. expansion of rusted reinforced steel ✔Correct Answer-B. highly expansive clay soils.
Mortar used in brickwork may vary in composition, but always contains:
A. lime, sand, and abobe
B. lime, sand, and clay
C. cement, clay, and pumice
D. cement, lime, and sand ✔Correct Answer-D. cement, lime, and sand
Which single factor causes the most problems with concrete at the time of installation?
A. the concrete's thickness is insufficient
B. too much water is added
C. too much portland cement is in the mix
D. the wrong kind of sand is in the mix ✔Correct Answer-B. Too much water is added.
Bowing in a foundation wall is usually the result of
A. vertical forces
B. lateral forces
C. settement
D. spalling ✔Correct Answer-B. lateral forces.
In a 1987 conventional wood-frame house, which one of the following signs (by itself) is a
significant problem?
, A. a hairline crack in the second floor ceiling next to the exterior wall
B. a hairline crack over the corners of two doorways on the second floor
C. a long, straight, vertical hairline crack in one room, roughly 1 inch away from the wall corners
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation ✔Correct Answer-D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor
separation
A main beam that supports floor joists is often called a:
A. purlin
B. joist carrier
C. stringer
D. girder ✔Correct Answer-D. girder
Joist bearing on a concrete foundation must be a minimum of :
A. 1.5 inches
B. 2 inches
C. 2.5 inches
D. 3 inches ✔Correct Answer-D. 3 inches
It is discovered that a 3" deep notch is cut at the end of a 2X10 floor joist. The home inspector's
report should include:
A. nothing about this because it does not exceed 35% of the depth of the joist
B. that the notch needs proper blocking
C. that no repair is needed because it is in the outer 1/3 of the joist
D. that the notch exceeds maximum allowable depth and needs proper repair ✔Correct
Answer-D. that the notch exceeds maximum allowable depth and needs proper repair
Floor joist bridging:
A. eliminates floor squeaking
B. provides lateral support
C. is needed in seismic hazard zones
D. is needed for engineered joist ✔Correct Answer-B. provides lateral support.
Subflooring may be omitted when a 1-inch nominal tongue-and groove wood strip is applied
perpendicular to the joists and the joist spacing does NOT exceed
A. 12 inches
B. 14 inches
C. 16 inches
D. 18 inches ✔Correct Answer-C. 16 inches.
Verified Answers |Latest Update |Already Graded A+
When inspecting a home, you note horizontal cracks. Which of the following would NOT be a
cause of overload from the outside?
A. moisture
B. frost
C. soil pressure
D. backfill ✔Correct Answer-A. Moisture
You observe long horizontal cracks in a CMU basement wall or foundation stem wall. The cause
is MOST likely due to
A. excessive loading on top of the wall
B. highly expansive clay soils
C. lack of floor drains
D. expansion of rusted reinforced steel ✔Correct Answer-B. highly expansive clay soils.
Mortar used in brickwork may vary in composition, but always contains:
A. lime, sand, and abobe
B. lime, sand, and clay
C. cement, clay, and pumice
D. cement, lime, and sand ✔Correct Answer-D. cement, lime, and sand
Which single factor causes the most problems with concrete at the time of installation?
A. the concrete's thickness is insufficient
B. too much water is added
C. too much portland cement is in the mix
D. the wrong kind of sand is in the mix ✔Correct Answer-B. Too much water is added.
Bowing in a foundation wall is usually the result of
A. vertical forces
B. lateral forces
C. settement
D. spalling ✔Correct Answer-B. lateral forces.
In a 1987 conventional wood-frame house, which one of the following signs (by itself) is a
significant problem?
, A. a hairline crack in the second floor ceiling next to the exterior wall
B. a hairline crack over the corners of two doorways on the second floor
C. a long, straight, vertical hairline crack in one room, roughly 1 inch away from the wall corners
D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor separation ✔Correct Answer-D. A 1/2 inch wide wall/floor
separation
A main beam that supports floor joists is often called a:
A. purlin
B. joist carrier
C. stringer
D. girder ✔Correct Answer-D. girder
Joist bearing on a concrete foundation must be a minimum of :
A. 1.5 inches
B. 2 inches
C. 2.5 inches
D. 3 inches ✔Correct Answer-D. 3 inches
It is discovered that a 3" deep notch is cut at the end of a 2X10 floor joist. The home inspector's
report should include:
A. nothing about this because it does not exceed 35% of the depth of the joist
B. that the notch needs proper blocking
C. that no repair is needed because it is in the outer 1/3 of the joist
D. that the notch exceeds maximum allowable depth and needs proper repair ✔Correct
Answer-D. that the notch exceeds maximum allowable depth and needs proper repair
Floor joist bridging:
A. eliminates floor squeaking
B. provides lateral support
C. is needed in seismic hazard zones
D. is needed for engineered joist ✔Correct Answer-B. provides lateral support.
Subflooring may be omitted when a 1-inch nominal tongue-and groove wood strip is applied
perpendicular to the joists and the joist spacing does NOT exceed
A. 12 inches
B. 14 inches
C. 16 inches
D. 18 inches ✔Correct Answer-C. 16 inches.
