AHIT Module 1 test guide question and
answers
Which of the following is not part of the structural inspection? - ANS fascia boards
What part of a home's structure is least likely to be visible to the home inspector? - ANS
footings
What is the overall purpose of the structural inspection? - ANS to identify major structural
deficiencies
How does compression act on structural members? - ANS It pushes at the members and
makes them shorter.
Which action is a best practice to identify deterioration? - ANS probe structural components
where damage is suspected
Which force would exert the least amount of stress on a foundation? - ANS wind
If you note an active 1/4" step crack with no apparent movement, you should _____. - ANS
recommend a structural engineer be consulted to assess the crack
For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be recommended? - ANS
horizontal cracks with movement
What sign indicates that a foundation crack is still active? - ANS sharp edges to the crack
For which condition should the customer be advised to monitor the foundation wall? - ANS
cracks less than 1/4" wide showing little or no movement
At which communication step should the home inspector be particularly careful about not
making any uneducated guesses? - ANS telling how to repair something
In a solid brick house, what is a sign of corner settlement? - ANS step cracks at an exterior
corner going down to the foundation
Vertical cracks in the foundation wall extending down to the footings can be caused by _____. -
ANS settlement of the structure
Water stains along the junction of the basement wall and floor most likely indicate _____. -
ANS a drain tile problem
, What is a sign that an underground oil tank may be present? - ANS two holes in the wall with
disconnected copper tubing
When inspecting ledger strips in the basement ceiling structure, the home inspector should
_____. - ANS watch out for nails pulling out and for sagging and cracking
Which of the following is a sign of water penetration through the foundation wall? - ANS
efflorescence on the wall
Water penetration in a single corner of the basement is most likely caused by _____. - ANS a
faulty downspout or splash block
A hole cut into a girder or joist can be located _____. - ANS at least 2" in from top or bottom
What is the weakest of the following girder/joist connections? - ANS ledger strips
The source of most of the water leaking into basements can be attributed to _____. - ANS
surface water
What purpose does a palmer valve serve? - ANS It allows water to flow from the drain tile
system into the sewer.
Ceiling insulation in a crawl space, in most cases, should be installed _____. - ANS with the
moisture deterrent layer up
What can be a sign of slab detachment? - ANS cracks along the slab edge
What is not a likely cause of slab settlement? - ANS shrinkage of the concrete slab
Which of the following is true about perimeter vents in a crawl space? - ANS There is little
agreement about when to keep vents open or closed based on different climate issues.
Perimeter venting is required in a crawl space to prevent _____. - ANS moisture from soil
rising into the house
Which of the conditions can be caused by poor ventilation in a crawl space? - ANS
deterioration of framing members
Why should a dirt floor in a crawl space be covered? - ANS to prevent moisture from the soil
being released into the crawl space
In balloon framing construction, the wall studs rest directly on the _____. - ANS sill
answers
Which of the following is not part of the structural inspection? - ANS fascia boards
What part of a home's structure is least likely to be visible to the home inspector? - ANS
footings
What is the overall purpose of the structural inspection? - ANS to identify major structural
deficiencies
How does compression act on structural members? - ANS It pushes at the members and
makes them shorter.
Which action is a best practice to identify deterioration? - ANS probe structural components
where damage is suspected
Which force would exert the least amount of stress on a foundation? - ANS wind
If you note an active 1/4" step crack with no apparent movement, you should _____. - ANS
recommend a structural engineer be consulted to assess the crack
For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be recommended? - ANS
horizontal cracks with movement
What sign indicates that a foundation crack is still active? - ANS sharp edges to the crack
For which condition should the customer be advised to monitor the foundation wall? - ANS
cracks less than 1/4" wide showing little or no movement
At which communication step should the home inspector be particularly careful about not
making any uneducated guesses? - ANS telling how to repair something
In a solid brick house, what is a sign of corner settlement? - ANS step cracks at an exterior
corner going down to the foundation
Vertical cracks in the foundation wall extending down to the footings can be caused by _____. -
ANS settlement of the structure
Water stains along the junction of the basement wall and floor most likely indicate _____. -
ANS a drain tile problem
, What is a sign that an underground oil tank may be present? - ANS two holes in the wall with
disconnected copper tubing
When inspecting ledger strips in the basement ceiling structure, the home inspector should
_____. - ANS watch out for nails pulling out and for sagging and cracking
Which of the following is a sign of water penetration through the foundation wall? - ANS
efflorescence on the wall
Water penetration in a single corner of the basement is most likely caused by _____. - ANS a
faulty downspout or splash block
A hole cut into a girder or joist can be located _____. - ANS at least 2" in from top or bottom
What is the weakest of the following girder/joist connections? - ANS ledger strips
The source of most of the water leaking into basements can be attributed to _____. - ANS
surface water
What purpose does a palmer valve serve? - ANS It allows water to flow from the drain tile
system into the sewer.
Ceiling insulation in a crawl space, in most cases, should be installed _____. - ANS with the
moisture deterrent layer up
What can be a sign of slab detachment? - ANS cracks along the slab edge
What is not a likely cause of slab settlement? - ANS shrinkage of the concrete slab
Which of the following is true about perimeter vents in a crawl space? - ANS There is little
agreement about when to keep vents open or closed based on different climate issues.
Perimeter venting is required in a crawl space to prevent _____. - ANS moisture from soil
rising into the house
Which of the conditions can be caused by poor ventilation in a crawl space? - ANS
deterioration of framing members
Why should a dirt floor in a crawl space be covered? - ANS to prevent moisture from the soil
being released into the crawl space
In balloon framing construction, the wall studs rest directly on the _____. - ANS sill
