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AHIT Module 1 Questions with
Detailed Verified 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
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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
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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
AHIT Module 1 Questions with
Detailed Verified 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
,2|Page
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
, 3|Page
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
