(answered 2023/2024) Home Inspection Questions and Answers Already Passed

Toxic substance An element capable of causing adverse human health or environmental effects under conditions of exposure to even low levels is known as a/an: High voltage transmission According to the preliminary survey of typical strengths of magnetic fields, the source that produces the strongest levels is: 1978 Asbestos products are generally found in homes built prior to: The decay of uranium deposits in the earth Radon is produced by: Charcoal canister The home inspector can test for radon using a: Formaldehyde was used in spray-in foam insulation, and can cause health problems if allowed to build up indoors. picocurie measurement used for radon. asbestos Encapsulation and enclosure are procedures used to remediate: 4pCi/L A radon level above________ requires abatement Radon a radioactive gas produced by the natural breakdown of minerals in the earth. It may heat pump A device that transfers heat from a colder area to a warmer area and acts as a reverse air conditioner. hip roof A roof that rises by inclined planes from all four sides of a building. built-up roof A roofing composed of three to five layers of asphalt felt laminated with coal tar, pitch, or asphalt. The top is finished with crushed slag or gravel. Generally used on flat or lowpitched roofs. keyway A slot formed and poured on a footer or in a foundation wall when another wall will be installed at the slot location. This gives additional strength to the joint/meeting point. muntin A small member which divides the glass or openings of sash or doors. threshold A strip of metal, wood, marble or other material attached at the base of a door to help keep rain, snow, etc. from entering a structure. saddle A small second roof built behind the back side of a fireplace chimney to divert water around the chimney. Also, the plate at the bottom of someâ€Â"usually exteriorâ€Â"door openings. Sometimes called a threshold. fire stop A solid, tight closure of a concealed space, placed to prevent the spread of fire and smoke through such a space. In a frame wall, this will usually consist of 2 by 4 cross blocking between studs. Work performed to slow the spread of fire and smoke in the walls and ceiling (behind the drywall). Includes stuffing wire holes in the top and bottom plates with insulation, and installing blocks of wood between the wall studs at the drop soffit line. This is integral to passing a Rough Frame inspection.  See also 'Fire block'. dormer A structural element projecting through a sloping roof. Often used to create usable space by adding headroom and or windows. top chord The upper or top member of a truss. rake fascia The vertical face of the sloping end of a roof eave. FACE NAIL To install nails into the vertical face of a bearing header or beam. king stud/jack stud The vertical "2 X's" frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate. hot water heating system This system for heating water, usually in a in a water heater, and distribution through a system of pipes. RISE The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge. Also the vertical distance from stair tread to stair tread (and not to exceed 7 ½"). TOENAILING To drive a nail in at a slant. Method used to secure floor joists to the plate. load bearing wall Includes all exterior walls and any interior wall that is aligned above a support beam or girder and transfers the load above to a foundation. building code Local or state regulations, overseeing construction, established to protect public health and safety. OAKUM Loose hemp or jute fiber that's impregnated with tar or pitch and used to caulk large seams or for packing plumbing pipe joints service equipment Main control gear at the service entrance, such as circuit breakers, switches, and fuses. pressure treated wood Lumber that has been saturated with a preservative service entrance panel Main power cabinet where electricity enters a home wiring system. j channel Metal edging used on drywall to give the edge a better finished appearance when a wall is not "wrapped" Generally, basement stairway walls have drywall only on the stair side and is used on the vertical edge of the last drywall sheet corner bead Metal edging used on drywall corners to give the edge a finished appearance tj Manufactured structural building component resembling the letter "I". Used as floor joists and rafters. I-joists include two key parts wind bracing Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally on the inside of a wall from bottom to top plate, to prevent the wall from twisting, racking, or falling over "domino" fashion. insulation Material used to resist the loss of heat energy. Materials such as fiber glass, mineral wool, cellulose and foam are placed in the walls, ceilings, basements and crawl spaces that make up the thermal envelope and may be blown or installed in batt sections. vapor barrier Moisture-resistant material used to prevent warm interior air from mixing with cold exterior air and causing condensation to form within the wall. National Electrical Code A set of rules governing safe wiring methods. Local codesâ€Â"which are backed by lawâ€Â"may differ from the NEC in some ways. Underwriters' Laboratories An independent testing agency that checks electrical devices and other components for possible safety hazards. mortar A bonding material used in the construction of brick or stone structures. thermosat A control device that will automatically turn heating or air conditioning on or off as necessary to maintain a preset temperature. valve A device designed to regulate the flow of a liquid or gas.