HOME INSPECTOR STUDY GUIDE EXAM 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔A ____________ roof has a double slope on each side, commonly referred to as
"barn shape"
A. Mansard
B. Gambrel
C. Gable
D. Flat - ✔✔B. Gambrel
✔✔Concrete and clay tiles on a roof have a life expectancy of:
A. 15-20 years
B. 5-10 years
C. 30-50 years
D. 50-100 years - ✔✔C. 30-50 years
✔✔Metal roofing can last:
A. 50-100 years
B. 15-40 years
C. 5-10 years
D. Forever - ✔✔B. 15-40 years
✔✔Shingles should be installed with ________ steel or _________ roofing nails that
can penetrate ______ inches into sheathing. - ✔✔galvanized, aluminum, 3.4
✔✔What type of underlayment is specified for roof slopes between 2:12 and 4:12?
A. Single
B. Triple
C. Double
D. No specified type - ✔✔C. Double
✔✔An underlayment of at least #_____ felt is specified under tiles.
A. 20
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50 - ✔✔B. 30
,✔✔What should an inspector do when they find small holes that were permanently
patched, using the same metal and soldering patch, on a metal roof?
A. Report it as a defect
B. Nothing as this is acceptable
C. Report it as a safety hazard
D. Report it as an improper repair - ✔✔True, using the same metal and soldering patch
to metal, priming and painting
✔✔What type of shingle is made from stone?
A. Slate
B. Concrete
C. Clay
D. Metal - ✔✔A. Slate
✔✔What is dunnage?
A. The weight of the roof and the insulation
B. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks vibrates, creating wear and holes
C. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks leaks, creating rot
D. It's like tonnage but with a D - ✔✔B. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks
vibrates, creating wear and holes
✔✔What is polyurethane foam roofing and how is it applied? - ✔✔A spray applied
closed cell foam
✔✔Downspout extensions should discharge water how many feet away from the
house?
A. 5
B. 2
C. 10
D. No limit - ✔✔A. 5
✔✔Gutters should slope toward the downspout at _____ inch per foot.
A. 3/4
B. 1
C. 1/16
D. 1/8 - ✔✔C. 1/16
✔✔Is one scupper acceptable as the only roof drain?
A. No, there should be a secondary system
, B. Yes, it is acceptable
C. Yes, in certain markets
D. There is no set standard - ✔✔A. No, there should be a secondary system
✔✔What material is used for GAS vent flashing?
A. Stainless steel
B. PVC
C. Galvanized steel
D. No specific type - ✔✔C. Galvanized steel
✔✔What material is used for OIL vent flashing?
A. Stainless steel
B. PVC
C. Galvanized steel
D. No specific type - ✔✔A. Stainless steel
✔✔Vertical cracks are often caused by ______________.
A. Settlement of the structure
B. Earthquakes
C. Foundation issues
D. Stucco cracking - ✔✔A. Settlement of the structure
✔✔Angled cracks are often caused by _____________.
A. Earthquakes
B. Age of the home
C. A major difference in soil under the house
D. Foundation issues - ✔✔C. A major difference in soil under the house
✔✔What can a horizontal crack on the foundation wall be an indication of?
A. Outside force damage
B. Earthquakes
C. Poor concrete material
D. Soil pressure against the wall and/or water pushing against it. - ✔✔D. Soil pressure
against the wall and/or water pushing against it.
✔✔Shrinkage cracks are often caused by ______________.
A. The curing process in a poured concrete wall
B. Settlement
C. Soil pressure
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS RATED A+
✔✔A ____________ roof has a double slope on each side, commonly referred to as
"barn shape"
A. Mansard
B. Gambrel
C. Gable
D. Flat - ✔✔B. Gambrel
✔✔Concrete and clay tiles on a roof have a life expectancy of:
A. 15-20 years
B. 5-10 years
C. 30-50 years
D. 50-100 years - ✔✔C. 30-50 years
✔✔Metal roofing can last:
A. 50-100 years
B. 15-40 years
C. 5-10 years
D. Forever - ✔✔B. 15-40 years
✔✔Shingles should be installed with ________ steel or _________ roofing nails that
can penetrate ______ inches into sheathing. - ✔✔galvanized, aluminum, 3.4
✔✔What type of underlayment is specified for roof slopes between 2:12 and 4:12?
A. Single
B. Triple
C. Double
D. No specified type - ✔✔C. Double
✔✔An underlayment of at least #_____ felt is specified under tiles.
A. 20
B. 30
C. 40
D. 50 - ✔✔B. 30
,✔✔What should an inspector do when they find small holes that were permanently
patched, using the same metal and soldering patch, on a metal roof?
A. Report it as a defect
B. Nothing as this is acceptable
C. Report it as a safety hazard
D. Report it as an improper repair - ✔✔True, using the same metal and soldering patch
to metal, priming and painting
✔✔What type of shingle is made from stone?
A. Slate
B. Concrete
C. Clay
D. Metal - ✔✔A. Slate
✔✔What is dunnage?
A. The weight of the roof and the insulation
B. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks vibrates, creating wear and holes
C. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks leaks, creating rot
D. It's like tonnage but with a D - ✔✔B. When an air conditioner placed on wood blocks
vibrates, creating wear and holes
✔✔What is polyurethane foam roofing and how is it applied? - ✔✔A spray applied
closed cell foam
✔✔Downspout extensions should discharge water how many feet away from the
house?
A. 5
B. 2
C. 10
D. No limit - ✔✔A. 5
✔✔Gutters should slope toward the downspout at _____ inch per foot.
A. 3/4
B. 1
C. 1/16
D. 1/8 - ✔✔C. 1/16
✔✔Is one scupper acceptable as the only roof drain?
A. No, there should be a secondary system
, B. Yes, it is acceptable
C. Yes, in certain markets
D. There is no set standard - ✔✔A. No, there should be a secondary system
✔✔What material is used for GAS vent flashing?
A. Stainless steel
B. PVC
C. Galvanized steel
D. No specific type - ✔✔C. Galvanized steel
✔✔What material is used for OIL vent flashing?
A. Stainless steel
B. PVC
C. Galvanized steel
D. No specific type - ✔✔A. Stainless steel
✔✔Vertical cracks are often caused by ______________.
A. Settlement of the structure
B. Earthquakes
C. Foundation issues
D. Stucco cracking - ✔✔A. Settlement of the structure
✔✔Angled cracks are often caused by _____________.
A. Earthquakes
B. Age of the home
C. A major difference in soil under the house
D. Foundation issues - ✔✔C. A major difference in soil under the house
✔✔What can a horizontal crack on the foundation wall be an indication of?
A. Outside force damage
B. Earthquakes
C. Poor concrete material
D. Soil pressure against the wall and/or water pushing against it. - ✔✔D. Soil pressure
against the wall and/or water pushing against it.
✔✔Shrinkage cracks are often caused by ______________.
A. The curing process in a poured concrete wall
B. Settlement
C. Soil pressure
