FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection
how can you predict whether there will be further
settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single
inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
2. You typically identify a Freon leak As an oil stain
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form
of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant
lines
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the Bridging
following components EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
4. All of the following are common approaches to Resloping the cap
improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have
corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete
foundation
walls.
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of Pressure regulator
a private water supply system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning Two
systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should Overheat
be avoided because they may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a Unplug the washing machine
washing machine plugged into it. Your tester shows that
the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you
improve this inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside
horizontal force face
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has
also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would
typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be
wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at
least ¼ in width.
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are A sign of poor installation
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction Inverted slab
techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab.
13. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from 2 inches
combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches.
14. Efflorescence Is associated with water moving through masonry walls
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry
walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth.
15. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning Compressor to the expansion device.
system, the high-pressure side is the portion of the
refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor.
16. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
17. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
basement in cold northern climates than in warm effective.
southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal
equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the
footings makes a basement cost effective.
(c) Homes with basements need heat. In southern
climates, it is a waste of energy to heat the basement.
(d) There is a lot of bedrock in the southern climates "
blasting would be required to make a basement.
18. All of the following are advantages to having clients You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend
attend inspections EXCEPT
(a) An opportunity for better communication.
(b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to
attend.
(c) That showing is better than telling.
(d) You have the opportunity to adjust expectations.
19. The flame of the left burner in a two-burner The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side
conventional efficiency furnace touches the heat
exchanger only when the blower is running. What is
likely to be the problem?
(a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.
(b) The heat exchanger is cracked on the right side.
(c) The left burner is dirty.
(d) The left burner is misaligned.
20. What would you do if you saw that a roof truss had Advise further evaluation by a specialist
been cut?
(a) Advise client to sister a 2 x 4 piece over the cut. The
sistered piece should extend at least three feet on either
side of the cut.
(b) Advise client that cuts in trusses are not a problem.
(c) Look for other signs of distress and, if none, do
nothing.
(d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.
21. CPVC water pipe may not be used for hot and cold In multifamily residences
supply lines
(a) In single-family residences.
(b) In multifamily residences.
(c) Inside a building.
(d) Below grade.
22. Garage door problems include all of the following A seven-inch step down into garage
EXCEPT
(a) A seven-inch step down into garage.
(b) Poor weatherstripping.
(c) That it has no self-closer.
(d) If it opens into a bedroom.
23. Which of the following statements is TRUE? Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.
(a) Uniform settlement is most often the result of building
on undisturbed soils.
(b) Expansive soils expand as they dry.
(c) Lowering the basement floor to the top of the footing
can cause
settlement where there was no settlement initially.
(d) Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.
24. Foundation irrigation is A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils
(a) A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils.
(b) A method of strengthening the foundation concrete-
the concrete is kept damp for a couple of days.
(c) A foundation-drainage technique.
(d) Used to prevent basement leakage.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
25. A horizontal fracture in the foundation Reduces the foundation's ability to resist soil pressure
(a) Is a shrinkage crack.
(b) Is not as serious as a vertical crack.
(c) Reduces the foundation's ability to resist soil
pressure.
(d) Cannot be caused by adfreezing.
26. Water hammer can be solved or greatly reduced by Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines
(a) Installing modern quick-closing faucets
(b) Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines.
(c) Avoiding long, vertical rises in the pipe.
(d) Avoiding long, horizontal runs of pipe.
27. Piers may move because the Soil below is disturbed
(a) Footings are oversized.
(b) Piers are not adequately loaded.
(c) Soil below is disturbed.
(d) Beams are undersized.
28. Attic insulation may be wet as a result of any of the Insulation that is too close to chimneys.
following EXCEPT
(a) Insulation that is too close to chimneys.
(b) A roof leak.
(c) Condensation.
(d) An exhaust fan discharging directly into the insulation.
29. These products are all asphalt based EXCEPT for Caulking
(a) Roofing cement.
(b) Asphalt cement.
(c) Plastic cement.
(d) Caulking.
30. All of the following are true with EIFS EXCEPT that The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco
(a) It is typically applied directly to a polystyrene
insulation board.
(b) It is typically a two-coat process.
(c) A fiber glass mesh replaces wire lath.
(d) The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco.
31. The introductory discussion should Help to adjust the expectations of the client
(a) Help to adjust the expectations of the client.
(b) Establish your credibility with the use of a number or
technical terms
(c) Include instructions for your clients to avoid questions
since this will pull you from your routine.
(d) Include questions about the clients preferred order for
inspecting the components of the home.
32. Which of the following statements is FALSE with The upper element usually comes on first
respect to electric water heaters?
(a) Most water heaters have two elements.
(b) The upper element usually comes on first
(c) The upper element has priority
(d) It can be difficult to tell if one of the two elements is
burned out
33. If you drilled a hole through a properly laid asphalt- Two
shingle roof, how many shingles would you go through?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection
how can you predict whether there will be further
settlement?
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single
inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
2. You typically identify a Freon leak As an oil stain
(a) As an oil stain
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form
of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant
lines
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the Bridging
following components EXCEPT.
(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
4. All of the following are common approaches to Resloping the cap
improving chimney draft EXCEPT
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks
cracks EXCEPT that
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have
corresponding cracks
elsewhere in the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete
foundation
walls.
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of Pressure regulator
a private water supply system?
(a) Foot valve
(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning Two
systems have how many fans?
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should Overheat
be avoided because they may
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a Unplug the washing machine
washing machine plugged into it. Your tester shows that
the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How could you
improve this inspection process?
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside
horizontal force face
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has
also moved
inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would
typically be wider on the inside face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be
wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at
least ¼ in width.
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are A sign of poor installation
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade-construction Inverted slab
techniques EXCEPT
(a) Monolithic slab.
(b) Floating slab.
(c) Inverted slab.
(d) Reinforced slab.
13. Masonry chimneys should have a clearance from 2 inches
combustible framing members of
(a) 1 inch.
(b) 2 inches.
(c) 4 inches.
(d) 12 inches.
14. Efflorescence Is associated with water moving through masonry walls
(a) Is associated with water moving through masonry
walls.
(b) Can only appear on the cold side of a wall.
(c) Only occurs in freezing climates.
(d) Is an organic growth.
15. On a conventional split-system air-conditioning Compressor to the expansion device.
system, the high-pressure side is the portion of the
refrigerant line from the
(a) Compressor to the expansion device.
(b) Metering device to the evaporator coil.
(c) Expansion device to the compressor.
(d) Evaporator to the compressor.
16. The presence of step flashing on an asphalt shingle Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
roof can typically be verified by
(a) Looking at the counter flashing.
(b) Knowing the age of the shingles on the roof.
(c) Knowing the number of layers of shingles on the roof.
(d) Lifting the shingles adjacent to the chimney or wall
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
17. Why are you more likely to see a house with a full Having to excavate below the frost line for the footings makes a basement cost
basement in cold northern climates than in warm effective.
southern climates?
(a) People in cold climates have snow removal
equipment to store.
(b) Having to excavate below the frost line for the
footings makes a basement cost effective.
(c) Homes with basements need heat. In southern
climates, it is a waste of energy to heat the basement.
(d) There is a lot of bedrock in the southern climates "
blasting would be required to make a basement.
18. All of the following are advantages to having clients You can charge a premium for allowing clients to attend
attend inspections EXCEPT
(a) An opportunity for better communication.
(b) You can charge a premium for allowing clients to
attend.
(c) That showing is better than telling.
(d) You have the opportunity to adjust expectations.
19. The flame of the left burner in a two-burner The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side
conventional efficiency furnace touches the heat
exchanger only when the blower is running. What is
likely to be the problem?
(a) The heat exchanger is cracked on the left side.
(b) The heat exchanger is cracked on the right side.
(c) The left burner is dirty.
(d) The left burner is misaligned.
20. What would you do if you saw that a roof truss had Advise further evaluation by a specialist
been cut?
(a) Advise client to sister a 2 x 4 piece over the cut. The
sistered piece should extend at least three feet on either
side of the cut.
(b) Advise client that cuts in trusses are not a problem.
(c) Look for other signs of distress and, if none, do
nothing.
(d) Advise further evaluation by a specialist.
21. CPVC water pipe may not be used for hot and cold In multifamily residences
supply lines
(a) In single-family residences.
(b) In multifamily residences.
(c) Inside a building.
(d) Below grade.
22. Garage door problems include all of the following A seven-inch step down into garage
EXCEPT
(a) A seven-inch step down into garage.
(b) Poor weatherstripping.
(c) That it has no self-closer.
(d) If it opens into a bedroom.
23. Which of the following statements is TRUE? Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.
(a) Uniform settlement is most often the result of building
on undisturbed soils.
(b) Expansive soils expand as they dry.
(c) Lowering the basement floor to the top of the footing
can cause
settlement where there was no settlement initially.
(d) Uniform settlement may stress utility pipes.
24. Foundation irrigation is A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils
(a) A method of stabilizing expansive clay soils.
(b) A method of strengthening the foundation concrete-
the concrete is kept damp for a couple of days.
(c) A foundation-drainage technique.
(d) Used to prevent basement leakage.
, FULL NHIE EXAM PRACTICE
25. A horizontal fracture in the foundation Reduces the foundation's ability to resist soil pressure
(a) Is a shrinkage crack.
(b) Is not as serious as a vertical crack.
(c) Reduces the foundation's ability to resist soil
pressure.
(d) Cannot be caused by adfreezing.
26. Water hammer can be solved or greatly reduced by Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines
(a) Installing modern quick-closing faucets
(b) Using 12-inch vertical extensions at ends of lines.
(c) Avoiding long, vertical rises in the pipe.
(d) Avoiding long, horizontal runs of pipe.
27. Piers may move because the Soil below is disturbed
(a) Footings are oversized.
(b) Piers are not adequately loaded.
(c) Soil below is disturbed.
(d) Beams are undersized.
28. Attic insulation may be wet as a result of any of the Insulation that is too close to chimneys.
following EXCEPT
(a) Insulation that is too close to chimneys.
(b) A roof leak.
(c) Condensation.
(d) An exhaust fan discharging directly into the insulation.
29. These products are all asphalt based EXCEPT for Caulking
(a) Roofing cement.
(b) Asphalt cement.
(c) Plastic cement.
(d) Caulking.
30. All of the following are true with EIFS EXCEPT that The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco
(a) It is typically applied directly to a polystyrene
insulation board.
(b) It is typically a two-coat process.
(c) A fiber glass mesh replaces wire lath.
(d) The finish coat is thicker than with traditional stucco.
31. The introductory discussion should Help to adjust the expectations of the client
(a) Help to adjust the expectations of the client.
(b) Establish your credibility with the use of a number or
technical terms
(c) Include instructions for your clients to avoid questions
since this will pull you from your routine.
(d) Include questions about the clients preferred order for
inspecting the components of the home.
32. Which of the following statements is FALSE with The upper element usually comes on first
respect to electric water heaters?
(a) Most water heaters have two elements.
(b) The upper element usually comes on first
(c) The upper element has priority
(d) It can be difficult to tell if one of the two elements is
burned out
33. If you drilled a hole through a properly laid asphalt- Two
shingle roof, how many shingles would you go through?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
