Professional Home Inspector Exam NHIE / TREC
Ques ons and answers Newest RATED A+ 2025/2026
UPDATED 100% VERIFIED CORRECT
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. - Answers -
Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - Answers 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch
pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - Answers Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bo.om of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - Answers Used for Backflow Preven6on.
Lawn Irriga6on systems: installed ver6cally 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emi.er and
before the irriga6on system valves.
Lintel - Answers L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the suppor6ng veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and pa6os - Answers A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
,Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on ver6cally installed fiber cement siding - Answers 1 1/4 inches overlap,
and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - Answers 1" to 2" (1
inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - Answers All means of egress
(escape), must be operable from the inside without special knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a
danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. AEc insula6on and
ven6ng is adequate. What is the most reasonable explana6on? - Answers Improper
installa6on. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - Answers The slate itself. Flashings
eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the correc6ve ac6on? - Answers Removing the
rust, priming and pain6ng.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - Answers Rake edge or edge flashing. A
gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construc6on framing provides fire blocking? - Answers a plaGorm-framed structure
, The Bo.om chords of trusses were cut to fit other construc6on. What is the recommenda6on?
- Answers Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - Answers To control the draH
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic hea6ng system. What is most
likely the cause? - Answers A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the aEc? - Answers
2"
When new insula6on is placed directly over old in the aEc, what is the correct way to place /
handle KraH paper on new insula6on? - Answers Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be 6ed together with hurricane 6es? - Answers
Truss/raHer to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circula6on system? - Answers Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or accessible? -
Answers Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - Answers 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combus6bles - Answers 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - Answers Above
, stairs, staircase tread depth - Answers Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11
inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projec6on - Answers Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th
inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height - Answers Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width - Answers Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three
stringers
Spiral staircase - Answers Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12
inches from the narrow side.
Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller than 6 square feet - Answers 6'
opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? - Answers A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof
around the high side of a chimney or the transi6on from one roof area to another
Ques ons and answers Newest RATED A+ 2025/2026
UPDATED 100% VERIFIED CORRECT
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. - Answers -
Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - Answers 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch
pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - Answers Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bo.om of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - Answers Used for Backflow Preven6on.
Lawn Irriga6on systems: installed ver6cally 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emi.er and
before the irriga6on system valves.
Lintel - Answers L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the suppor6ng veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and pa6os - Answers A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
,Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on ver6cally installed fiber cement siding - Answers 1 1/4 inches overlap,
and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - Answers 1" to 2" (1
inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - Answers All means of egress
(escape), must be operable from the inside without special knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a
danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. AEc insula6on and
ven6ng is adequate. What is the most reasonable explana6on? - Answers Improper
installa6on. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - Answers The slate itself. Flashings
eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the correc6ve ac6on? - Answers Removing the
rust, priming and pain6ng.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - Answers Rake edge or edge flashing. A
gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construc6on framing provides fire blocking? - Answers a plaGorm-framed structure
, The Bo.om chords of trusses were cut to fit other construc6on. What is the recommenda6on?
- Answers Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - Answers To control the draH
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic hea6ng system. What is most
likely the cause? - Answers A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the aEc? - Answers
2"
When new insula6on is placed directly over old in the aEc, what is the correct way to place /
handle KraH paper on new insula6on? - Answers Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be 6ed together with hurricane 6es? - Answers
Truss/raHer to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circula6on system? - Answers Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or accessible? -
Answers Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - Answers 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combus6bles - Answers 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - Answers Above
, stairs, staircase tread depth - Answers Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11
inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projec6on - Answers Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th
inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height - Answers Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should be no
more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width - Answers Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three
stringers
Spiral staircase - Answers Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12
inches from the narrow side.
Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller than 6 square feet - Answers 6'
opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? - Answers A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof
around the high side of a chimney or the transi6on from one roof area to another
