HOME INSPECTOR STRUCTURE 2026/2027 STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Cracks starting at windows and doors - ✔✔If crack is a short distance away, the
result could be from overloading the header or lintel
✔✔Displacement of windows - ✔✔Distortion of the window framing, especially in
bearing walls, can indicate settling of the house
✔✔Ground sloping - ✔✔Make note of where the ground slopes
✔✔Cracks in foundation walls - ✔✔The inspector should cover all interior foundation
walls, piers, columns, beams, and piles
✔✔Why is it important to report storage areas in the basement? - ✔✔To let the
customer know that defects cannot be found in areas not visible
✔✔Bow - ✔✔A vertical curve, where the wall has an outward curve from top to bottom
✔✔Sweep - ✔✔A horizontal curve in a wall, where the wall has an outward curve from
side to side
✔✔Bugle - ✔✔A combination in a wall that has both a bow and a sweep
✔✔Window displacement - ✔✔Window displacement is a clue that the wall is moving
✔✔Deterioration of materials - ✔✔Identify the materials used in the foundation
construction and inspect them
✔✔Water penetration - ✔✔Always inspect the foundation for water penetration which
could lead to water damage
✔✔When to give the foundation an okay - ✔✔You find nothing wrong with the
foundation, with no indication of movement, settlement, or wall cracks
There may be minor surface cracking that doesn't pierce the wall and no displacement
in any direction
Remember, you never say that the foundation is "structurally sound" or anything similar
as that is rendering an engineering opinion
What you should do is comment on defects or issues. If none are present, there is
nothing to note
✔✔When to have the customer monitor the situation - ✔✔You find cracks with
displacement in the foundation wall that indicate that some settlement has taken place,
but all signs point to the cracks no longer being active.
, ✔✔Cracks less than 1/4" - ✔✔Suggest that these be monitored, but mention that a
structural engineer should be consulted if the cracks become wider or displaced
✔✔When to recommend a structural engineer - ✔✔The problem is potentially serious
when you find active cracks over 3/8" wide indicating ongoing movement or settlement,
horizontal cracks with movement, step cracks indicating footing failure, excessive
bowing or leaning of the wall with or without cracks, and shearing in the foundation.
Meaning a structural failure is in progress and should have a structural engineer to look
at it
✔✔For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be
recommended? - ✔✔Horizontal cracks with movement
✔✔Monitoring - ✔✔The home inspector's initial suggestion should be for the customer
to have the cracks patched with mortar, epoxy, or a similar material and then monitor for
further movement
✔✔The home inspector should encourage the customer to? - ✔✔Follow along while the
inspection is performed
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you inspecting? - ✔✔The foundation
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you looking for? - ✔✔Cracks, deterioration of materials, evidence of
movement and settlement, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you doing? - ✔✔Probing the mortar, observing wall displacement, sighting the
wall, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you finding? - ✔✔Footing failure, cracks indicating wall movement, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What to suggest about dealing with the findings? - ✔✔Monitoring a wall, calling in a
structural engineer, contractor, or mason; etc.
✔✔At which communication step should the home inspector be particularly careful
about not making any uneducated guesses? - ✔✔Telling how to repair something
✔✔Don't ever miss list - ✔✔Don't ever miss:
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔Cracks starting at windows and doors - ✔✔If crack is a short distance away, the
result could be from overloading the header or lintel
✔✔Displacement of windows - ✔✔Distortion of the window framing, especially in
bearing walls, can indicate settling of the house
✔✔Ground sloping - ✔✔Make note of where the ground slopes
✔✔Cracks in foundation walls - ✔✔The inspector should cover all interior foundation
walls, piers, columns, beams, and piles
✔✔Why is it important to report storage areas in the basement? - ✔✔To let the
customer know that defects cannot be found in areas not visible
✔✔Bow - ✔✔A vertical curve, where the wall has an outward curve from top to bottom
✔✔Sweep - ✔✔A horizontal curve in a wall, where the wall has an outward curve from
side to side
✔✔Bugle - ✔✔A combination in a wall that has both a bow and a sweep
✔✔Window displacement - ✔✔Window displacement is a clue that the wall is moving
✔✔Deterioration of materials - ✔✔Identify the materials used in the foundation
construction and inspect them
✔✔Water penetration - ✔✔Always inspect the foundation for water penetration which
could lead to water damage
✔✔When to give the foundation an okay - ✔✔You find nothing wrong with the
foundation, with no indication of movement, settlement, or wall cracks
There may be minor surface cracking that doesn't pierce the wall and no displacement
in any direction
Remember, you never say that the foundation is "structurally sound" or anything similar
as that is rendering an engineering opinion
What you should do is comment on defects or issues. If none are present, there is
nothing to note
✔✔When to have the customer monitor the situation - ✔✔You find cracks with
displacement in the foundation wall that indicate that some settlement has taken place,
but all signs point to the cracks no longer being active.
, ✔✔Cracks less than 1/4" - ✔✔Suggest that these be monitored, but mention that a
structural engineer should be consulted if the cracks become wider or displaced
✔✔When to recommend a structural engineer - ✔✔The problem is potentially serious
when you find active cracks over 3/8" wide indicating ongoing movement or settlement,
horizontal cracks with movement, step cracks indicating footing failure, excessive
bowing or leaning of the wall with or without cracks, and shearing in the foundation.
Meaning a structural failure is in progress and should have a structural engineer to look
at it
✔✔For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be
recommended? - ✔✔Horizontal cracks with movement
✔✔Monitoring - ✔✔The home inspector's initial suggestion should be for the customer
to have the cracks patched with mortar, epoxy, or a similar material and then monitor for
further movement
✔✔The home inspector should encourage the customer to? - ✔✔Follow along while the
inspection is performed
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you inspecting? - ✔✔The foundation
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you looking for? - ✔✔Cracks, deterioration of materials, evidence of
movement and settlement, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you doing? - ✔✔Probing the mortar, observing wall displacement, sighting the
wall, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What are you finding? - ✔✔Footing failure, cracks indicating wall movement, etc.
✔✔What to explain while reporting your findings
What to suggest about dealing with the findings? - ✔✔Monitoring a wall, calling in a
structural engineer, contractor, or mason; etc.
✔✔At which communication step should the home inspector be particularly careful
about not making any uneducated guesses? - ✔✔Telling how to repair something
✔✔Don't ever miss list - ✔✔Don't ever miss:
