NATIONAL HOME INSPECTOR EXAM 2026|2027 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Downdraft exhaust (vent) - Correct Answer -a fan located under a cooktop that pulls the cooking odors
and moisture down and exhausts them to the outdoors through a duct located under the floor or
foundation. A downdraft exhaust is sometimes used when a cooktop is located in an island, a peninsula, or
other space where installing a hood is impractical or expensive.
Exhaust hood (vent) - Correct Answer -an appliance that is installed above a range or cooktop to remove
or filter cooking odors or moisture. An exhaust hood should be ducted to the outdoors; however, an
exception allows for a hood that recirculates the exhaust back into the house if an operable window exist
in the kitchen area, or if the house is served by a system such as an ERV or HRV. See Downdraft exhaust
(vent).
Food-waste disposer (disposal) - Correct Answer -a plumbing appliance that is used to grind and dispose
soft food waste into the plumbing system. This appliance is often called a disposal based on a brand name
Disposall. Brand names should not be used to describe systems or components. This appliance is
sometimes called a garbarator in Canada.
High loop - Correct Answer -a backflow prevention method that helps prevent the flow of contaminated
water from plumbing waste system into a dishwasher. A high loop involves securing the dishwasher drain
tube as high as possible in kitchen sink base cabinet.
1|Page
1|Page
,Microwave oven (microwave) - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance that uses high frequency
electromagnetic radiation to heat food; microwaves installed above ranges and cooktops usually have a
built in exhaust fan and light. A microwave may include a convection oven.
Oven - Correct Answer -an enclosed cooking appliance intended for baking and broiling food. An oven may
be mounted in a cabinet (a wall oven) or it may be part of a range.
Oven (convection) - Correct Answer -an enclosed cooking appliance intended for baking and broiling food.
Cooking speed is enhanced by using a fan to circulate air inside the oven.
Range - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance that combines a cooktop and oven into one cabinet.
Stove - Correct Answer -a device uses an energy source to produce heat. In modern usage, the term
stove sometimes refers to a range when used to describe a cooking appliance. The term is also used to
describe a space heating appliance such as a wood burning stove.
Spark arrestor - Correct Answer -a screen around the perimeter of a Chimney flue termination that help
keeps hot embers from escaping and causing a fire, often combined with a rain cap; spark arrestors are
required in some areas are prone to wildfires. See Rain cap.
2|Page
2|Page
,Throat - Correct Answer -the opening between a fireplace hearth and smoke chamber. See Damper
(fireplace).
Cooktop - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance installed in an opening in a countertop.
Dishwashing machine (dishwasher) - Correct Answer -a plumbing appliance that is used to clean eating
and cooking utensils.
Disposall (Disposal) - Correct Answer -See Food-waste disposer (disposal)
Barrier, access (child) - Correct Answer -a fence, wall, house wall, or similar structure that is designed
to limit access to the pool or Spa area by unauthorized persons, especially children. A natural barrier
such as large body of water, a hill, or a cliff may also serve as a barrier, with approval.
Culvert - Correct Answer -a below ground passage that allows water to flow, usually through a large
diameter metal or concrete pipe. In residential construction, a culvert may be located at the end of a
driveway to permit water to flow in a swale under the driveway.
3|Page
3|Page
, Deadman - Correct Answer -a buried component, such as a railroad tie or landscape timber, that serves
as an anchor to keep a retaining wall from rotating. a Deadman is connected to the retaining wall using a
tieback.
Drainage (storm water) - Correct Answer -a system intended to capture water and direct it away from
the house and ultimately off the property. A drainage system may include components such as gutters
and downspouts, swales, underground drains, and grading.
Driveway - Correct Answer -a private road that is intended for vehicle use between a public road and a
building.
Grade - Correct Answer -the elevation or levels the ground outside the house.
Grading - Correct Answer -the act of moving soil or other material to forma desired elevation on the
property. The term is often used in conjunction with drainage to describe shaping land to effect water
flow.
Landscape (garden) block - Correct Answer -a manufactured precast solid concrete block used to
construct a landscape wall.
4|Page
4|Page
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Downdraft exhaust (vent) - Correct Answer -a fan located under a cooktop that pulls the cooking odors
and moisture down and exhausts them to the outdoors through a duct located under the floor or
foundation. A downdraft exhaust is sometimes used when a cooktop is located in an island, a peninsula, or
other space where installing a hood is impractical or expensive.
Exhaust hood (vent) - Correct Answer -an appliance that is installed above a range or cooktop to remove
or filter cooking odors or moisture. An exhaust hood should be ducted to the outdoors; however, an
exception allows for a hood that recirculates the exhaust back into the house if an operable window exist
in the kitchen area, or if the house is served by a system such as an ERV or HRV. See Downdraft exhaust
(vent).
Food-waste disposer (disposal) - Correct Answer -a plumbing appliance that is used to grind and dispose
soft food waste into the plumbing system. This appliance is often called a disposal based on a brand name
Disposall. Brand names should not be used to describe systems or components. This appliance is
sometimes called a garbarator in Canada.
High loop - Correct Answer -a backflow prevention method that helps prevent the flow of contaminated
water from plumbing waste system into a dishwasher. A high loop involves securing the dishwasher drain
tube as high as possible in kitchen sink base cabinet.
1|Page
1|Page
,Microwave oven (microwave) - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance that uses high frequency
electromagnetic radiation to heat food; microwaves installed above ranges and cooktops usually have a
built in exhaust fan and light. A microwave may include a convection oven.
Oven - Correct Answer -an enclosed cooking appliance intended for baking and broiling food. An oven may
be mounted in a cabinet (a wall oven) or it may be part of a range.
Oven (convection) - Correct Answer -an enclosed cooking appliance intended for baking and broiling food.
Cooking speed is enhanced by using a fan to circulate air inside the oven.
Range - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance that combines a cooktop and oven into one cabinet.
Stove - Correct Answer -a device uses an energy source to produce heat. In modern usage, the term
stove sometimes refers to a range when used to describe a cooking appliance. The term is also used to
describe a space heating appliance such as a wood burning stove.
Spark arrestor - Correct Answer -a screen around the perimeter of a Chimney flue termination that help
keeps hot embers from escaping and causing a fire, often combined with a rain cap; spark arrestors are
required in some areas are prone to wildfires. See Rain cap.
2|Page
2|Page
,Throat - Correct Answer -the opening between a fireplace hearth and smoke chamber. See Damper
(fireplace).
Cooktop - Correct Answer -a cooking appliance installed in an opening in a countertop.
Dishwashing machine (dishwasher) - Correct Answer -a plumbing appliance that is used to clean eating
and cooking utensils.
Disposall (Disposal) - Correct Answer -See Food-waste disposer (disposal)
Barrier, access (child) - Correct Answer -a fence, wall, house wall, or similar structure that is designed
to limit access to the pool or Spa area by unauthorized persons, especially children. A natural barrier
such as large body of water, a hill, or a cliff may also serve as a barrier, with approval.
Culvert - Correct Answer -a below ground passage that allows water to flow, usually through a large
diameter metal or concrete pipe. In residential construction, a culvert may be located at the end of a
driveway to permit water to flow in a swale under the driveway.
3|Page
3|Page
, Deadman - Correct Answer -a buried component, such as a railroad tie or landscape timber, that serves
as an anchor to keep a retaining wall from rotating. a Deadman is connected to the retaining wall using a
tieback.
Drainage (storm water) - Correct Answer -a system intended to capture water and direct it away from
the house and ultimately off the property. A drainage system may include components such as gutters
and downspouts, swales, underground drains, and grading.
Driveway - Correct Answer -a private road that is intended for vehicle use between a public road and a
building.
Grade - Correct Answer -the elevation or levels the ground outside the house.
Grading - Correct Answer -the act of moving soil or other material to forma desired elevation on the
property. The term is often used in conjunction with drainage to describe shaping land to effect water
flow.
Landscape (garden) block - Correct Answer -a manufactured precast solid concrete block used to
construct a landscape wall.
4|Page
4|Page
