National Home Inspector Practice
Exam questions and answers
Which deficiency should be considered an immediate potential safety hazard?
A) A 1/8 inch diagonal crack in a foundation wall
B) Missing attic insulation around a skylight
C) A missing temperature and pressure relief valve on a hot water heater
D) Worn-out and leaking chimney flashing ✔✔C) A missing temperature and pressure
relief valve on a hot water heater
While inspecting the attic, you observe that the 2 x 4 webbing has been removed from
two (2) adjacent manufactured roof trusses to enable the installation of the attic-
mounted HVAC air-handler unit, in a single-family dwelling. Your report should state
that:
A) No problem exists since only two (2) trusses have been modified, and they are
adjacent.
B) The trusses are no longer structurally sound, and the best method of correction
should be determined by qualified engineer.
C) The trusses remain structurally sound, since the top chord and bottom chords have
not been cut, and the roof sheathing will provide stability.
D) The trusses have been compromised, and this area should be monitored for signs of
future structural failure. ✔✔B) The trusses are no longer structurally sound, and the best
method of correction should be determined by qualified engineer.Which of the following
describes partial vapor pressure?
A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
B) Water vapor causes new homes to require house wrap.
C) Water vapor is common with forced induction natural gas furnaces.
D) Water vapor is an indication of sick house syndrome. ✔✔A) Water vapor has a
tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be:
A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation.
B) An absence of insect, bee, and bird nests.
C) Vents on both ends on the outside.
D) Continuous vent strips on the length of the soffit. ✔✔A) A clear air channel between
the roof boards and the insulation.
Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous
because:
, A) They contribute to the overheating of the receptacle.
B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Single phase appliance motors will run backwards.
D) They trip ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. ✔✔B) They increase the shock
likelihood at connected equipment.
The term "wet vent" refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet.
B) Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain.
C) Vent that runs outside an exterior wall.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. ✔✔D) Waste line that also functions as a
vent.
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. ✔✔B) Looks like stucco but lacks a
wire mesh.
The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
C) Open.
D) Closed. ✔✔A) Concaved
When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 ° F or higher, a ______ should be
installed to temper the water.
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve ✔✔C) Mixing valve
In a forced air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum. ✔✔A) Heat exchanger.
Exam questions and answers
Which deficiency should be considered an immediate potential safety hazard?
A) A 1/8 inch diagonal crack in a foundation wall
B) Missing attic insulation around a skylight
C) A missing temperature and pressure relief valve on a hot water heater
D) Worn-out and leaking chimney flashing ✔✔C) A missing temperature and pressure
relief valve on a hot water heater
While inspecting the attic, you observe that the 2 x 4 webbing has been removed from
two (2) adjacent manufactured roof trusses to enable the installation of the attic-
mounted HVAC air-handler unit, in a single-family dwelling. Your report should state
that:
A) No problem exists since only two (2) trusses have been modified, and they are
adjacent.
B) The trusses are no longer structurally sound, and the best method of correction
should be determined by qualified engineer.
C) The trusses remain structurally sound, since the top chord and bottom chords have
not been cut, and the roof sheathing will provide stability.
D) The trusses have been compromised, and this area should be monitored for signs of
future structural failure. ✔✔B) The trusses are no longer structurally sound, and the best
method of correction should be determined by qualified engineer.Which of the following
describes partial vapor pressure?
A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
B) Water vapor causes new homes to require house wrap.
C) Water vapor is common with forced induction natural gas furnaces.
D) Water vapor is an indication of sick house syndrome. ✔✔A) Water vapor has a
tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air.
In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be:
A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation.
B) An absence of insect, bee, and bird nests.
C) Vents on both ends on the outside.
D) Continuous vent strips on the length of the soffit. ✔✔A) A clear air channel between
the roof boards and the insulation.
Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous
because:
, A) They contribute to the overheating of the receptacle.
B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment.
C) Single phase appliance motors will run backwards.
D) They trip ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. ✔✔B) They increase the shock
likelihood at connected equipment.
The term "wet vent" refers to a:
A) Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet.
B) Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain.
C) Vent that runs outside an exterior wall.
D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. ✔✔D) Waste line that also functions as a
vent.
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. ✔✔B) Looks like stucco but lacks a
wire mesh.
The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be:
A) Concaved.
B) Raked.
C) Open.
D) Closed. ✔✔A) Concaved
When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 ° F or higher, a ______ should be
installed to temper the water.
A) Temperature probe
B) Mixing probe
C) Mixing valve
D) Temper valve ✔✔C) Mixing valve
In a forced air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the:
A) Heat exchanger.
B) Draft diverter.
C) Flue.
D) Plenum. ✔✔A) Heat exchanger.
