NHIE Site Conditions 2021 Actual Questions and Correct Answers
Q1
(t/f) inspection of swimming pool and spa access barriers is out of scope
Answer: True
However some home inspectors inspect these components because of the significant safety
implications
Q2
what is a retaining wall?
Answer: a structure that holds Earth or fill on one side and keeps it from moving beyond the wall
Q3
when is a retaining wall in scope of a home inspection?
Answer: when their failure might negatively impact the house
Q4
when do retaining walls require an engineer to prove design and a permit?
Answer: when the wall is more than 4 ft tall with no horizontal support at the top or the wall retains
a lateral
load
Q5
what are retaining walls that are less than 2 ft tall sometimes called?
Answer: landscape walls
Q6
what are common materials in building retaining walls?
Answer: wood
masonry (concrete blocks and bricks)
natural stone (rubble)
pourd concrete
precast (landscape, garden) blocks
Q7
what is a gabion retaining wall?
Answer: a wire basket or cage filled with natural stone or rubble
, Q8
( t/f ) wood retaining walls may be limited to 4 ft tall
Answer: true
Q9
what is the typical service life of a wood retaining wall?
Answer: typical service life between 10 and 20 years
depending on materials used, drainage and soil conditions
Q10
what are two forces that can cause retaining walls to fail?
Answer: water pressure and frost heave
Q11
what are the two parts of horizontal lumber that secure retaining walls in the soil?
Answer: the tie back, run several feet under the retained dirt connects with the retaining wall
dead man anchor, installed perpendicular connecting to the tie back
Q12
lack of drainage can cause what to a retaining wall?
Answer: caused the ball to rotate
crack
bow
slide
deteriorate because of pressure from wet soil or frost heave
Q13
( t/f ) openings near the bottom of masonry and concrete walls for
drainage are called weep holes
Answer: true
Q14
grade must be established near the home for what two reasons?
Answer: separate framing and wall covering materials from Earth and hard surfaces such as
driveways
divert water away from the foundation
Q1
(t/f) inspection of swimming pool and spa access barriers is out of scope
Answer: True
However some home inspectors inspect these components because of the significant safety
implications
Q2
what is a retaining wall?
Answer: a structure that holds Earth or fill on one side and keeps it from moving beyond the wall
Q3
when is a retaining wall in scope of a home inspection?
Answer: when their failure might negatively impact the house
Q4
when do retaining walls require an engineer to prove design and a permit?
Answer: when the wall is more than 4 ft tall with no horizontal support at the top or the wall retains
a lateral
load
Q5
what are retaining walls that are less than 2 ft tall sometimes called?
Answer: landscape walls
Q6
what are common materials in building retaining walls?
Answer: wood
masonry (concrete blocks and bricks)
natural stone (rubble)
pourd concrete
precast (landscape, garden) blocks
Q7
what is a gabion retaining wall?
Answer: a wire basket or cage filled with natural stone or rubble
, Q8
( t/f ) wood retaining walls may be limited to 4 ft tall
Answer: true
Q9
what is the typical service life of a wood retaining wall?
Answer: typical service life between 10 and 20 years
depending on materials used, drainage and soil conditions
Q10
what are two forces that can cause retaining walls to fail?
Answer: water pressure and frost heave
Q11
what are the two parts of horizontal lumber that secure retaining walls in the soil?
Answer: the tie back, run several feet under the retained dirt connects with the retaining wall
dead man anchor, installed perpendicular connecting to the tie back
Q12
lack of drainage can cause what to a retaining wall?
Answer: caused the ball to rotate
crack
bow
slide
deteriorate because of pressure from wet soil or frost heave
Q13
( t/f ) openings near the bottom of masonry and concrete walls for
drainage are called weep holes
Answer: true
Q14
grade must be established near the home for what two reasons?
Answer: separate framing and wall covering materials from Earth and hard surfaces such as
driveways
divert water away from the foundation
