Home Inspector National Exam Prep
questions and answers 2025\2026 A+
Grade
It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at LEAST _______ inch drop per
foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1
- correct answer 1
Which of the following BEST describes the report statement shown below? "The roof is in good
condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C. Description D. Disclaimer
- correct answer Conclusion
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the
heat exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve
on the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener
- correct answer A pin hole in the heat exchanger
The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.
- correct answer 9 inches
Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have
two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns
- correct answer Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems
Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster
is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the
air handler leaked D. potential safety issue
- correct answer Potential safety issue
,EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but lacks a wire
mesh. C. Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be installed on top of a
masonry surface.
- correct answer Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires
a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box.
- correct answer Approved brace or box
What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads for an
HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat
- correct answer Sensible and latent heat
Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces
- correct answer 6" fiberglass batt insulation
An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of construction. Which
of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from first developed to most
recently developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
, c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction
- correct answer Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
- correct answer At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air
handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to ensure
that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has depressurized
the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing back
into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off.
- correct answer The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in
order to ensure that condensate did not spill.
While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the _________ is dark in appearance. A.
King joist B. Floor joist C. Masonry wall D. Bearing wall
- correct answer Floor joist
What is the minimum allowed slope of graded soil next to a building's foundation, according to the
International Residential Code (IRC)?
a. ≥ 5"/10'
questions and answers 2025\2026 A+
Grade
It is important to maintain a positive grade away from the structure of at LEAST _______ inch drop per
foot for six feet. A. 1/4 B. 1/2 C. 3/4 D. 1
- correct answer 1
Which of the following BEST describes the report statement shown below? "The roof is in good
condition for its age." A. Conclusion B. Recommendation C. Description D. Disclaimer
- correct answer Conclusion
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST critical to your client's safety? A. A pin hole in the
heat exchanger B. No handrails on an interior stairway C. Lack of a pressure and temperature relief valve
on the water heater D. A non-reversing garage door opener
- correct answer A pin hole in the heat exchanger
The normal MINIMUM run for a residential stair tread is: A. 7 in. B. 8 in. C. 9 in. D. 11 in.
- correct answer 9 inches
Standard three light electrical testers are NOT always reliable because: A. Some receptacles only have
two prongs B. Three light testers sometimes have broken bulbs C. Three light testers will not detect
multiple wiring problems D. Different test device manufactures have different light patterns
- correct answer Three light testers will not detect multiple wiring problems
Bulging plaster is observed high up on several bedroom walls. The primary concern is the bulging plaster
is a(n): A. installation defect B. indication the home was very cold for a period of time C. indication the
air handler leaked D. potential safety issue
- correct answer Potential safety issue
,EIFS is a siding material that: A. Is used in commercial buildings only. B. Looks like stucco but lacks a wire
mesh. C. Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D. Can be installed on top of a
masonry surface.
- correct answer Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh
While inspecting a home, you observe a large ceiling fan with built-in lamps. This installation requires
a(an): A. Strong ceiling. B. Pancake junction box. C. Approved brace or box. D. Larger junction box.
- correct answer Approved brace or box
What are the types of heat that must be taken into account when calculating the cooling loads for an
HVAC system?
a. Sensible and radiant heat
b. Radiant and conductive heat
c. Conductive and latent heat
d. Sensible and latent heat
- correct answer Sensible and latent heat
Which of the following would be most likely to have the highest R-value?
a. 6" fiberglass batt insulation
b. 12" cast-in-place concrete wall
c. 2" extruded polystyrene panel
d. Triple insulated glazing system with ½" air spaces
- correct answer 6" fiberglass batt insulation
An inspector can often determine the approximate age of a home by its method of construction. Which
of the following choices shows the methods of construction in order from first developed to most
recently developed?
a. Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
b. Balloon framing, post and beam construction, ICF construction, platform framing
, c. ICF construction, balloon framing, post and beam construction, platform framing
d. Post and beam construction, platform framing, balloon framing, ICF construction
- correct answer Post and beam construction, balloon framing, platform framing, ICF construction
One is inspecting an EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finishing System) wall system for deficiencies. Where
would these be most likely to occur?
a. Window heads
b. The center of large expanses of EIFS
c. Along the bottom edge of the EIFS installation
d. At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
- correct answer At the corners of the installation, such as around windows
An inspector notes that the heat pump is not functioning and that the condensate pan under the air
handler is full of water. Why might these two things be related?
a. The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in order to ensure
that condensate did not spill.
b. The full condensate pan indicates that the fan in the air handler is not functioning, as it should.
c. The full condensate pan indicates that there is a leak in the heat exchanger, which has depressurized
the unit, causing it to turn off.
d. The full condensate pan means that combustion byproducts have condensed and are flowing back
into the house through the flue. This tripped the flue gas spill switch, turning the unit off.
- correct answer The full condensate pan tripped a condensate overflow switch. The unit turned off in
order to ensure that condensate did not spill.
While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the _________ is dark in appearance. A.
King joist B. Floor joist C. Masonry wall D. Bearing wall
- correct answer Floor joist
What is the minimum allowed slope of graded soil next to a building's foundation, according to the
International Residential Code (IRC)?
a. ≥ 5"/10'
