ICA EXAM 1 2026 latest update/verified solu on
If water infiltra on is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best
choice to verify dampness?
a non-contact moisture meter
Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most o en fail from
rust and metal fa gue
Rela ve Humidity (RH) is expressed as
percentage
Connec ons of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and
copper pipe, will usually cause
electrolysis
Which has the LEAST effect on the deflec on of a dimension lumber floor system?
joist width
The normal MAXIMUM rise of residen al stair treads is
7 3/4 inches / depth is 10 inches
An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed
upstream from the receptacle
Circuit breakers
protect the wire from an electrical overload
In a forced air hea ng system containing a split system air condi oner and a humidifier,
humidity is reduced by
condensa on at the evaporator coil
A home inspec on report MUST include
the general life expectancy of the roofing material
Water hammer can occur as a result of
a lack of air chambers.
faulty shutoff valves.
,loose piping.
low sta c water pressure.
If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas
no changes are needed for the equipment to func on properly.
the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed.
the flame will be too low unless a larger orifice is installed.
the gas regulator and valve must be replaced.
When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable roof,
you no ce a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gu;er
edge of the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick.
This condi on is MOST likely caused by
excessive sand in the mortar mix.
defec ve brick bonding.
improper ceiling joist installa on.
differen al se;lement.
You inspect a wood framed can levered balcony off a second-story bedroom. You find
significant wood deteriora on (at least one-half member depth) of all can lever joists at the
bearing point of the house. You should
no fy the occupants of the significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant
and client in the report.
note the significant hazard and recommend immediate repair, by licensed professional, in
your report.
refer the wood deteriora on to a structural pest control operator for professional opinion.
recommend sistering exis ng framing members to increase strength, prior to further use.
When a cooling unit is located in an a>c where damage may result from condensate
overflow
a>c ven la on must be increased to avoid condensa on.
steel duc ng is not allowed because of poten al damage from condensa on.
an auxiliary condensate drain system is required.
a supplemental condensate pump is required.
Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than
1 in 12.
2 in 12.
3 in 12.
4 in 12.
, If a poured concrete founda on has an unusually large number of ver cal cracks, each no
wider than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be
differen al se;lement from adverse drainage condi ons.
excessive amounts of aggregate in the concrete mix.
se;lement from compac on of soils below the foo ngs.
shrinkage of the concrete from excess water at the me of pouring.
Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system?
at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below
at bearing ends and all splices
at bearing ends and plumbing penetra ons
at perimeter ends, plumbing penetra ons, and splices over girders
Columns typically support
footers.
walls.
girders.
joists.
In new construc on, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances are
walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 10 feet
walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 12 feet
walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet
walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet
During a summer me inspec on, what could indicate chronic condensa on problems in an
a>c?
The a>c is very warm.
There is no vapor retarder on the insula on.
There are gray/black stains on the north side roof sheathing.
There are mildew stains on the bathroom ceilings.
Ice damming at the eaves may be caused by
inadequate a>c insula on.
undersized gu;ers.
shallow roof slope.
improper flashing.
The purpose of flashing on a roof is to
shed water onto roofing materials.
seal roof shingles to ver cal surfaces.
If water infiltra on is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best
choice to verify dampness?
a non-contact moisture meter
Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most o en fail from
rust and metal fa gue
Rela ve Humidity (RH) is expressed as
percentage
Connec ons of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and
copper pipe, will usually cause
electrolysis
Which has the LEAST effect on the deflec on of a dimension lumber floor system?
joist width
The normal MAXIMUM rise of residen al stair treads is
7 3/4 inches / depth is 10 inches
An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed
upstream from the receptacle
Circuit breakers
protect the wire from an electrical overload
In a forced air hea ng system containing a split system air condi oner and a humidifier,
humidity is reduced by
condensa on at the evaporator coil
A home inspec on report MUST include
the general life expectancy of the roofing material
Water hammer can occur as a result of
a lack of air chambers.
faulty shutoff valves.
,loose piping.
low sta c water pressure.
If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas
no changes are needed for the equipment to func on properly.
the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed.
the flame will be too low unless a larger orifice is installed.
the gas regulator and valve must be replaced.
When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable roof,
you no ce a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gu;er
edge of the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick.
This condi on is MOST likely caused by
excessive sand in the mortar mix.
defec ve brick bonding.
improper ceiling joist installa on.
differen al se;lement.
You inspect a wood framed can levered balcony off a second-story bedroom. You find
significant wood deteriora on (at least one-half member depth) of all can lever joists at the
bearing point of the house. You should
no fy the occupants of the significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant
and client in the report.
note the significant hazard and recommend immediate repair, by licensed professional, in
your report.
refer the wood deteriora on to a structural pest control operator for professional opinion.
recommend sistering exis ng framing members to increase strength, prior to further use.
When a cooling unit is located in an a>c where damage may result from condensate
overflow
a>c ven la on must be increased to avoid condensa on.
steel duc ng is not allowed because of poten al damage from condensa on.
an auxiliary condensate drain system is required.
a supplemental condensate pump is required.
Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than
1 in 12.
2 in 12.
3 in 12.
4 in 12.
, If a poured concrete founda on has an unusually large number of ver cal cracks, each no
wider than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be
differen al se;lement from adverse drainage condi ons.
excessive amounts of aggregate in the concrete mix.
se;lement from compac on of soils below the foo ngs.
shrinkage of the concrete from excess water at the me of pouring.
Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system?
at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below
at bearing ends and all splices
at bearing ends and plumbing penetra ons
at perimeter ends, plumbing penetra ons, and splices over girders
Columns typically support
footers.
walls.
girders.
joists.
In new construc on, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances are
walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 10 feet
walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 12 feet
walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet
walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet
During a summer me inspec on, what could indicate chronic condensa on problems in an
a>c?
The a>c is very warm.
There is no vapor retarder on the insula on.
There are gray/black stains on the north side roof sheathing.
There are mildew stains on the bathroom ceilings.
Ice damming at the eaves may be caused by
inadequate a>c insula on.
undersized gu;ers.
shallow roof slope.
improper flashing.
The purpose of flashing on a roof is to
shed water onto roofing materials.
seal roof shingles to ver cal surfaces.
