Professional Home Inspector Exam
NHIE / TREC / 2022
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
ANS:- -Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot
ANS:- 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed ANS:- Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) ANS:- Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel ANS:- L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios ANS:- 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 vertically installed fiber cement siding ANS:- 1 1/4 inches
overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? ANS:- 1" to 2"
(1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt ANS:- 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. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
,ANS:- Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? ANS:- The slate itself. Flashings
eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? ANS:- Removing
the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? ANS:- Rake edge or edge flashing.
A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? ANS:- a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? ANS:- Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? ANS:- To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause? ANS:- A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
ANS:- 2"
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct way to
place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation? ANS:- Score or remove the vapor
paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? ANS:-
Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? ANS:- Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? ANS:- Accessible
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? ANS:- 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles ANS:- 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? ANS:- Above
stairs, staircase tread depth ANS:- 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 projection ANS:- 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 ANS:- 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 ANS:- Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least
three stringers
Spiral staircase ANS:- 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 ANS:- 6'
opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? ANS:- A ridge structure designed to divert water on a
roof around the high side of a chimney or the transition from one roof area to another
Deadman ANS:- any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the
retaining wall
Egress window ANS:- A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for
exit or entry in case of an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 inches per foot? ANS:- 2:12 is
minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in diameter and shall extend a
minimum of ___ inches into the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units.
ANS:- 1/2 and 7 inches
, Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ apart/between. ANS:- 4-12
inches and 6 feet
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which direction? ANS:- Up
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet below grade ANS:- 8'
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the bottom is ___ inches above the
shower pan. ANS:- Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
Safety glazing is required where ANS:- Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the
following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) should be at least _____ finish-
width and ___ inches unobstructed in front of the door. ANS:- 22 inches wide
opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
Swale ANS:- A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM) ANS:- _________ is a factory assembly of two or
more insulated conductors having an outer sheath of moisture resistant flame-
retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line when AC is in cool mode?
ANS:- Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the
condenser outside.
Underground feeder (UF) ANS:- Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF
is Designed for wet locations and may be buried.
Compressor does what? ANS:- Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure
gas to send through the condenser.
Condenser does what? ANS:- The condenser takes high pressure heated gas from
the compressor, and runs the gas through coils where the fan helps remove heat
from the gas, and resulting in a warm, high pressure liquid to return to the
evaporator.
NHIE / TREC / 2022
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
ANS:- -Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot
ANS:- 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed ANS:- Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) ANS:- Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest
outlet/emitter and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel ANS:- L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as
windows and doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios ANS:- 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 vertically installed fiber cement siding ANS:- 1 1/4 inches
overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? ANS:- 1" to 2"
(1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt ANS:- 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. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
,ANS:- Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? ANS:- The slate itself. Flashings
eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? ANS:- Removing
the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? ANS:- Rake edge or edge flashing.
A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? ANS:- a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? ANS:- Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? ANS:- To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause? ANS:- A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
ANS:- 2"
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct way to
place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation? ANS:- Score or remove the vapor
paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? ANS:-
Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? ANS:- Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? ANS:- Accessible
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? ANS:- 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles ANS:- 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? ANS:- Above
stairs, staircase tread depth ANS:- 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 projection ANS:- 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 ANS:- 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 ANS:- Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least
three stringers
Spiral staircase ANS:- 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 ANS:- 6'
opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? ANS:- A ridge structure designed to divert water on a
roof around the high side of a chimney or the transition from one roof area to another
Deadman ANS:- any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the
retaining wall
Egress window ANS:- A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for
exit or entry in case of an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 inches per foot? ANS:- 2:12 is
minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in diameter and shall extend a
minimum of ___ inches into the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry units.
ANS:- 1/2 and 7 inches
, Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ apart/between. ANS:- 4-12
inches and 6 feet
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which direction? ANS:- Up
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet below grade ANS:- 8'
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the bottom is ___ inches above the
shower pan. ANS:- Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
Safety glazing is required where ANS:- Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the
following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) should be at least _____ finish-
width and ___ inches unobstructed in front of the door. ANS:- 22 inches wide
opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
Swale ANS:- A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM) ANS:- _________ is a factory assembly of two or
more insulated conductors having an outer sheath of moisture resistant flame-
retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line when AC is in cool mode?
ANS:- Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the
condenser outside.
Underground feeder (UF) ANS:- Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF
is Designed for wet locations and may be buried.
Compressor does what? ANS:- Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure
gas to send through the condenser.
Condenser does what? ANS:- The condenser takes high pressure heated gas from
the compressor, and runs the gas through coils where the fan helps remove heat
from the gas, and resulting in a warm, high pressure liquid to return to the
evaporator.
