NHIE 100 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS. 2025/2026.
1. Buckling in horizontal vinyl siding is generally caused by
A. reflected sunlight.
B. improper fastening.
C. condensation in walls.
D. improper house wrap.
improper fastening
2. At what level would water pressure within a single-family dwelling begin to be considered
excessive and require correction?
A. 60 psi
B. 80 psi
C. 100 psi
D. 120 psi
80 psi
3. A newer home with electric heat is being inspected. It has a below grade finished basement
containing a bedroom. The inspector should look for a smoke alarm and
A. an escape and rescue opening.
B. a carbon monoxide alarm.
C. a fire extinguisher.
D. a safety ladder.
an escape and rescue opening
4. A swimming pool fence must prevent passage of a sphere that is larger than
A. 2 inches.
B. 3 inches.
C. 4 inches.
D. 5 inches.
4 inches
5. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. What should an inspector recommend to the
client regarding the conditions shown in relation to the downspout/rain leader?
A. Nothing, the downspout is properly installed.
B. Gravel should be installed under the downspout.
C. The downspout should be moved away from the siding.
D. A contractor should evaluate the downspout and recommend repairs.A contractor should
evaluate the downspout and recommend repairs
6. If water infiltration is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best choice to
verify dampness?
A. an infrared thermometer
B. a pin-type moisture meter
,C. a non-contact moisture meter
D. a digital camera
a non-contact moisture meter
7. Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most often fail from
A. low temperatures.
B. lack of use.
C. improper gas pressure.
D. rust and metal fatigue.
rust and metal fatigue.
8. Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as
A. volume.
B. percentage.
C. capacity.
D. temperature.
percentage.
9. Connections of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and copper
pipe, will usually cause
A. reduced water pressure.
B. decreased water quality.
C. glazed pipes.
D. electrolysis.
electrolysis.
10. A Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device that
A. disconnects power when the grounding to the outlet is faulty.
B. detects moisture and disconnects power in wet locations.
C. disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground.
D. protects against electrical surges and voltage spikes.
disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground
11. An electrical system with a fuse on the neutral conductor and on the energized (hot) conductors
A. is twice as safe as a system where only the energized (hot) conductors are fused.
B. should have the neutral conductor fuse sized to one half the normal ampacity for the circuit.
C. is overfused up to 50% if used only for lighting.
D. is hazardous and should be corrected.
is hazardous and should be corrected
12. To operate a central air conditioner, an electric clothes dryer, and an electric range, the ampacity
of the service to the house should be AT LEAST
A. 100 amps at 120 volts.
B. 125 amps at 120 volts.
C. 60 amps at 240 volts.
D. 100 amps at 240 volts.
D
, 13. A floor joist in a crawl space has been cut where the toilet drain passes through the floor. The
joists are 2x6 spaced at 16" on center. The inspector should recommend that
A. the buyer monitor the floor. Floor systems such as this have redundant framing and
removal of one joist is insignificant.
B. a contractor should support the cut joist with new piers and posts from below.
C. the cut joist should be headed off to adjacent framing members to distribute the load.
D. a contrator be contacted to determine what is needed and make repairs.
D
14. Most problems with concrete are caused at the time of Installation. What single factor causes
the MOST problems?
A. The concrete has insufficient thickness.
B. Too much water is added to the mix.
C. Too much Portland cement is in the mix.
D. The wrong kind of sand is in the mix.
B
15. Brick chimneys on older properties with oil heat sometimes curve above the roof line, with no
visible cracks. Which is a possible cause of this curving?
A. settlement of the chimney footing
B. expansion of mortar
C. absence of a cricket flashing at the roof
D. lack of a rain cap on the flue
B
16. Which set of building terms do NOT belong together?
A. cripple trimmer, purlin
B. arch, header, lintel
C. rafters, ceiling joists, trusses
D. sheathing, flooring, decking
A
17. Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimen sion lumber floor system?
A joist width
B. joist grade
C. joist species
D. joist spacing
A
18. The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is
A. 5 114 inches.
B. 7 314 inches.
C. 8 1/2 inches.
D. 9 % inches.
B
ANSWERS. 2025/2026.
1. Buckling in horizontal vinyl siding is generally caused by
A. reflected sunlight.
B. improper fastening.
C. condensation in walls.
D. improper house wrap.
improper fastening
2. At what level would water pressure within a single-family dwelling begin to be considered
excessive and require correction?
A. 60 psi
B. 80 psi
C. 100 psi
D. 120 psi
80 psi
3. A newer home with electric heat is being inspected. It has a below grade finished basement
containing a bedroom. The inspector should look for a smoke alarm and
A. an escape and rescue opening.
B. a carbon monoxide alarm.
C. a fire extinguisher.
D. a safety ladder.
an escape and rescue opening
4. A swimming pool fence must prevent passage of a sphere that is larger than
A. 2 inches.
B. 3 inches.
C. 4 inches.
D. 5 inches.
4 inches
5. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. What should an inspector recommend to the
client regarding the conditions shown in relation to the downspout/rain leader?
A. Nothing, the downspout is properly installed.
B. Gravel should be installed under the downspout.
C. The downspout should be moved away from the siding.
D. A contractor should evaluate the downspout and recommend repairs.A contractor should
evaluate the downspout and recommend repairs
6. If water infiltration is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best choice to
verify dampness?
A. an infrared thermometer
B. a pin-type moisture meter
,C. a non-contact moisture meter
D. a digital camera
a non-contact moisture meter
7. Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most often fail from
A. low temperatures.
B. lack of use.
C. improper gas pressure.
D. rust and metal fatigue.
rust and metal fatigue.
8. Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as
A. volume.
B. percentage.
C. capacity.
D. temperature.
percentage.
9. Connections of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and copper
pipe, will usually cause
A. reduced water pressure.
B. decreased water quality.
C. glazed pipes.
D. electrolysis.
electrolysis.
10. A Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device that
A. disconnects power when the grounding to the outlet is faulty.
B. detects moisture and disconnects power in wet locations.
C. disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground.
D. protects against electrical surges and voltage spikes.
disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground
11. An electrical system with a fuse on the neutral conductor and on the energized (hot) conductors
A. is twice as safe as a system where only the energized (hot) conductors are fused.
B. should have the neutral conductor fuse sized to one half the normal ampacity for the circuit.
C. is overfused up to 50% if used only for lighting.
D. is hazardous and should be corrected.
is hazardous and should be corrected
12. To operate a central air conditioner, an electric clothes dryer, and an electric range, the ampacity
of the service to the house should be AT LEAST
A. 100 amps at 120 volts.
B. 125 amps at 120 volts.
C. 60 amps at 240 volts.
D. 100 amps at 240 volts.
D
, 13. A floor joist in a crawl space has been cut where the toilet drain passes through the floor. The
joists are 2x6 spaced at 16" on center. The inspector should recommend that
A. the buyer monitor the floor. Floor systems such as this have redundant framing and
removal of one joist is insignificant.
B. a contractor should support the cut joist with new piers and posts from below.
C. the cut joist should be headed off to adjacent framing members to distribute the load.
D. a contrator be contacted to determine what is needed and make repairs.
D
14. Most problems with concrete are caused at the time of Installation. What single factor causes
the MOST problems?
A. The concrete has insufficient thickness.
B. Too much water is added to the mix.
C. Too much Portland cement is in the mix.
D. The wrong kind of sand is in the mix.
B
15. Brick chimneys on older properties with oil heat sometimes curve above the roof line, with no
visible cracks. Which is a possible cause of this curving?
A. settlement of the chimney footing
B. expansion of mortar
C. absence of a cricket flashing at the roof
D. lack of a rain cap on the flue
B
16. Which set of building terms do NOT belong together?
A. cripple trimmer, purlin
B. arch, header, lintel
C. rafters, ceiling joists, trusses
D. sheathing, flooring, decking
A
17. Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimen sion lumber floor system?
A joist width
B. joist grade
C. joist species
D. joist spacing
A
18. The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is
A. 5 114 inches.
B. 7 314 inches.
C. 8 1/2 inches.
D. 9 % inches.
B
