North Carolina Home Inspection Licensing Exam Study Guide 2025/2026,
Exams of Physics
When inspecting kitchen cabinets: - ANSWERObserve that they are securly
attached to the wall
The real estate agent request a copy of your inspection report: - ANSWERYou
would get permission from the buyer
A house is built on a sloping hill. The surface water should be drained -
ANSWERInto a 4-inch perforated plastic drain line and directed downhill to
daylight
What is a common reason for water overflowing a gutter - ANSWERGutter
not large enough for the area of roof covered
You are inspecting a flat roof with a rock ballast finish. You see an A/C
platform sitting on two 4"x4" SPF board - ANSWERTell the buyer that the
4"x4"'s should be replaced with pressure treated wood
A home is built with a second floor and a trussed attic/roof above it. What do
you consider when determining joist depth - ANSWERThe depth of the
insulation to be installed
,What is efflorescence - ANSWERThe remaining dissolved salts stuck to the
concrete as a result of water penetration
You inspect a home with a wood stove 18" from the wall. You notice that the
unit does not have a UL approved sticker. You should tell the client -
ANSWERThe stove is too close to the wall
Which is the least safe for the occupants - ANSWERDead bolts with a keyed
interior arrangement
Flushing a toilet in a house that has been vacant for six months produces a
gurgling in the tub drain. This is because - ANSWERIt is improperly vented (or
unvented)
A house has recently been re-sided with vinyl. The new vinyl has been
installed over the electric feed conduit from below the mast to the meter.
This is ok? - ANSWERFalse
OSB - ANSWERWill deteriorate from rain if left exposed on the job site, can be
used as flooring, and is structurally sound
If the furnace blower stops running after the burners have shut off and then
the blower turns back on without the burners on - what is the most likely
situation - ANSWERFan/Limit control switch does not operate properly
Vertical load on top of trusses has the fallowing effect on foundation walls -
ANSWERVertical pressure only
,When converting a gas - forced air furnace to heat pump, the ductwork is -
ANSWERUndersized and may or may not perform adequately
A masonry building, circa 1910, has a horizontal metal star bolted to it on the
outside at the top of the first floor. The pieces are - ANSWERUsed to anchor
the wall structure to the roof
The fallowing roof type has the greatest life expectancy - ANSWERTile
If a second roof is applied, where is it most likely to leak? - ANSWERValley
An A/C unit can have a larger breaker than corresponding wire. -
ANSWERTrue
Why would you put your mirror under a water heater draft hood? -
ANSWERTo detect back drafting
What is the biggest hazard for a firebox - ANSWERA gap between frame and
brick
How far apart (maximum) can sill bolts be - ANSWER6'
What is not a material typically used for gutters - ANSWERBrass
What flashing is used where chimney and roof meet - ANSWERCounter
flashing and step flashing
, What is the minimum roof slop for asphalt - ANSWER2:12
What is the minimum roof slop for wood - ANSWER2 1/2:12
What is the minimum roof slope for tile - ANSWER2 1/2:12
A 15 amp breaker or fuse blows at - ANSWER15 amps
Frost on an evaporator coil means - ANSWERToo little air flow
What is the most common defect for Fiberglass shingles - ANSWERCracks
Where must an exhaust fan be exhausted to - ANSWERTo the exterior
Which way should the insulation in the crawl space face - ANSWERThe vapor
barrier should face the sub-floor
How much should girders and joist over lap - ANSWER3" on concrete and 1
1/2" on wood or steal
When a child is sleeping in a room you need to inspect - ANSWERAsk the
seller if you can inspect the room
Main panel without a single "main" disconnect, what is allowed - ANSWER6
Shutoffs
Exams of Physics
When inspecting kitchen cabinets: - ANSWERObserve that they are securly
attached to the wall
The real estate agent request a copy of your inspection report: - ANSWERYou
would get permission from the buyer
A house is built on a sloping hill. The surface water should be drained -
ANSWERInto a 4-inch perforated plastic drain line and directed downhill to
daylight
What is a common reason for water overflowing a gutter - ANSWERGutter
not large enough for the area of roof covered
You are inspecting a flat roof with a rock ballast finish. You see an A/C
platform sitting on two 4"x4" SPF board - ANSWERTell the buyer that the
4"x4"'s should be replaced with pressure treated wood
A home is built with a second floor and a trussed attic/roof above it. What do
you consider when determining joist depth - ANSWERThe depth of the
insulation to be installed
,What is efflorescence - ANSWERThe remaining dissolved salts stuck to the
concrete as a result of water penetration
You inspect a home with a wood stove 18" from the wall. You notice that the
unit does not have a UL approved sticker. You should tell the client -
ANSWERThe stove is too close to the wall
Which is the least safe for the occupants - ANSWERDead bolts with a keyed
interior arrangement
Flushing a toilet in a house that has been vacant for six months produces a
gurgling in the tub drain. This is because - ANSWERIt is improperly vented (or
unvented)
A house has recently been re-sided with vinyl. The new vinyl has been
installed over the electric feed conduit from below the mast to the meter.
This is ok? - ANSWERFalse
OSB - ANSWERWill deteriorate from rain if left exposed on the job site, can be
used as flooring, and is structurally sound
If the furnace blower stops running after the burners have shut off and then
the blower turns back on without the burners on - what is the most likely
situation - ANSWERFan/Limit control switch does not operate properly
Vertical load on top of trusses has the fallowing effect on foundation walls -
ANSWERVertical pressure only
,When converting a gas - forced air furnace to heat pump, the ductwork is -
ANSWERUndersized and may or may not perform adequately
A masonry building, circa 1910, has a horizontal metal star bolted to it on the
outside at the top of the first floor. The pieces are - ANSWERUsed to anchor
the wall structure to the roof
The fallowing roof type has the greatest life expectancy - ANSWERTile
If a second roof is applied, where is it most likely to leak? - ANSWERValley
An A/C unit can have a larger breaker than corresponding wire. -
ANSWERTrue
Why would you put your mirror under a water heater draft hood? -
ANSWERTo detect back drafting
What is the biggest hazard for a firebox - ANSWERA gap between frame and
brick
How far apart (maximum) can sill bolts be - ANSWER6'
What is not a material typically used for gutters - ANSWERBrass
What flashing is used where chimney and roof meet - ANSWERCounter
flashing and step flashing
, What is the minimum roof slop for asphalt - ANSWER2:12
What is the minimum roof slop for wood - ANSWER2 1/2:12
What is the minimum roof slope for tile - ANSWER2 1/2:12
A 15 amp breaker or fuse blows at - ANSWER15 amps
Frost on an evaporator coil means - ANSWERToo little air flow
What is the most common defect for Fiberglass shingles - ANSWERCracks
Where must an exhaust fan be exhausted to - ANSWERTo the exterior
Which way should the insulation in the crawl space face - ANSWERThe vapor
barrier should face the sub-floor
How much should girders and joist over lap - ANSWER3" on concrete and 1
1/2" on wood or steal
When a child is sleeping in a room you need to inspect - ANSWERAsk the
seller if you can inspect the room
Main panel without a single "main" disconnect, what is allowed - ANSWER6
Shutoffs