Question 1

You notice the chimney is leaning. The owner tells you it has been in that condition since he purchased the home 20 years ago. What is your response?
A)Determine the owner is lying to you because a leaning chimney would not last that long.
B)Determine the chimney needs to be repaired regardless of the duration of the problem.
C)Determine the owner has been lucky the chimney has not collapsed during that time.
D)Determine nothing is wrong with the chimney since it has lasted that long.

Accepted Answer

You notice the chimney is leaning. The owner tells you is it has been in that condition since he purchased the home 20 years ago. Your response is to determine the chimney needs to be repaired regardless of the duration of the problem. It does not matter how long a condition has existed. If it is a deficiency, you need to tell your client it needs to be repaired.

Question 2

Home inspectors are required to inspect stairs for safety. Which of the following is the maximum acceptable height difference between risers?
A)0"
B)1/4"
C)3/8"
D)1/2"

Accepted Answer

Home inspectors are required to inspect stairs for safety. The maximum acceptable height difference between risers is 3/8". Any variation in height between stair risers greater than this poses a tripping hazard. Having a handrail does not exempt the stairs from having equal height risers.

Question 3

You notice the owner has installed a divider wall between the kitchen and dining room. You measure it and find it is 4½ feet tall. How do you handle this situation?
A)Do nothing because there is nothing unusual about it.
B)Include the presence of the divider wall in your report.
C)Ask to see the documents indicating it was approved by an engineer.
D)Remove the divider wall because it is in violation of city codes.

Accepted Answer

You notice the owner has installed a divider wall between the kitchen and dining room. You measure it and find it is 4½ feet tall. You handle this situation by asking to see the documents that indicate the wall was approved by an engineer. Any type of divider or retaining wall that is 4 feet tall or higher requires engineer approval. If the owner does not have the paperwork, you need to let the client know the divider wall needs to be removed or an engineer needs to approve it.

Question 4

What is the type of window that is most commonly found in homes older than 30 years?
A)Casement windows
B)Double-hung windows
C)Picture windows
D)Bay windows

Accepted Answer

Double-hung windows are most commonly found in homes older than 30 years. These windows open from the bottom or top, providing more choices for ventilation. Owners find them to be easier when it comes to cleaning than other window options.

Question 5

When inspecting smoke detectors, you want to make note of their locations. The ideal placement of a smoke detector is
A)Right inside each bedroom.
B)In the corner of each bedroom that is furthest from the door.
C)In the kitchen, as close to the stove as possible.
D)In hallways outside of bedrooms.

Accepted Answer

When inspecting smoke detectors, you want to make note of their locations. The ideal placement of smoke detectors is in hallways outside of bedrooms. You want smoke to be detected before it reaches bedrooms. Individuals who are asleep then have more time to escape safely.

Question 6

Flashing is associated with which housing feature?
A)Garage
B)Roof
C)Basement
D)Deck

Accepted Answer

Flashing is associated with the roof. Roof flashing is material used to block moisture from getting into spaces around joints and any component that protrudes, such as a chimney. It is often viewed as a type of weatherproofing.

Question 7

What types of defects should you look for when inspecting the roof of a home?
A)Loose shingles
B)Missing shingles
C)Cracked shingles
D)Broken shingles
E)All of the above

Accepted Answer

You should look for all of the above when inspecting the roof of a home. Each of these defects can allow moisture to reach the roof deck. Once moisture accumulates, water stains may become visible on interior ceilings and eventually compromise the integrity of the entire ceiling.

Question 8

What is the most common type of defect associated with roof vents?
A)Water leakage
B)Poor ventilation
C)General deterioration
D)Weather damage

Accepted Answer

The most common type of defect associated with roof vents is water leakage. Although this is rare, it is possible that the joint that connects the vent to the roof will weaken and allow water to seep under the roof. You can identify this defect by searching the roof deck for water stains. Stains are observable in the attic.

Question 9

Home inspectors are required to identify shut-off valves on water heaters. What type of shut-off valves can you expect to see when inspecting a water heater?
A)It depends on the location of the water heater.
B)It depends on the type of water heater.
C)It depends on the size of the water heater.
D)It depends on the price of the water heater.

Accepted Answer

Home inspectors are required to identify shut-off valves on water heaters. The type of shut-off valves you can expect to see when inspecting a water heater depends on the type of water heater. Every type of water heater has a shut-off valve for the cold water supply. However, certain water heaters also have shut-off valves for the hot water supply.

Question 10

Which of the following materials are NOT used for gutters?
A)Copper
B)Aluminum
C)Plastic
D)Wood
E)Leather

Accepted Answer

The material that is not used for gutters is leather. The remaining materials are common types of gutters. Copper gutters are considered the best while plastic gutters are the least popular. Aluminum gutters are common but wood gutters are rarely used anymore because they require a lot of maintenance.

Question 11

Which of the following conditions are you looking for when inspecting skylights?
A)Position of skylights on the roof
B)Limited visibility through the panes
C)Cracked panes and corroding frames
D)None, because you should not be inspecting skylights

Accepted Answer

Conditions you are looking for when inspecting skylights are cracked panes and corroding frames. Both conditions present safety hazards because it is possible broken panes can fall into the home and injure occupants. When frames are weakened, the entire skylight can fall. These conditions also make it easier for moisture to get into the home and cause damage.

Question 12

When inspecting fiber-cement siding, which of the following are you MOST likely to find?
A)The siding has warped or rotted.
B)The siding has warped but has not rotted.
C)The siding has not warped or rotted.
D)The siding has not warped but has rotted.

Accepted Answer

When inspecting fiber-cement siding, you are most likely to find the siding has not warped or rotted. In fact, this particular material is highly resistant to common defects found in other types of siding. The shingles that make up this siding do not peel or split into thinner pieces.

Question 13

Which type of installed heating equipment must be included in your inspection?
A)Furnace
B)Baseboard registers
C)Radiator
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

Any of the above types of installed heating equipment must be included in your inspection. Any type of heating equipment that is installed and functional must be inspected. It should be inspected as a stand-alone piece of equipment and as a component of the overall heating system for the home.

Question 14

When a retaining wall is constructed without the use of mortar, what is it called?
A)Dry retaining wall
B)Wet retaining wall
C)Mortar-free retaining wall
D)Glass block retaining wall

Accepted Answer

When a retaining wall is constructed without the use of mortar, it is called a dry retaining wall. Most dry retaining walls are constructed using rocks. Smaller rocks and dirt are used to fill in gaps and help secure the wall in place.

Question 15

You notice an odor that resembles rotten eggs while inspecting a home. Which of the following statements is MOST likely to be true?
A)There is spoiled food in the refrigerator.
B)There is a dead animal in the vicinity.
C)There is a problem with the waste disposal system.
D)There is Chinese drywall in the home.

Accepted Answer

If you notice an odor that resembles rotten eggs while inspecting a home, it is most likely to be true that there is Chinese drywall in the home. This is drywall imported to the U.S. from China that is known to be defective. It has high emissions levels of dangerous gases that give off an odor that is similar to rotten eggs.

Question 16

Which of the following examples is NOT a type of heating system?
A)Hydronic
B)Hydraulic
C)Radiant heat
D)Steam radiant

Accepted Answer

The example that is not a type of heating system is hydraulic. Hydronic heating systems rely on boilers. Radiant heating systems tend to work slower than other systems. And, steam radiant systems require radiators in rooms to distribute heat.

Question 17

What is the most common type of heating system you expect to find in homes?
A)Hot water baseboard system
B)Geothermal heating system
C)Central heating system
D)Radiant heating system

Accepted Answer

The most common type of heating system you expect to find in homes is a central heating system. It involves using a furnace to force air through a system of ductwork in the home. Ductwork is connected to vents that allow heat to be dispersed in every room.

Question 18

Which of the following are methods for heating air in forced air heating systems?
A)Propane
B)Electricity
C)Oil
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above are methods for heating air in forced air heating systems. Each has unique characteristics including costs, space requirements, and energy efficiency benefits that are of interest to clients. However, these are not factors you need to consider when inspecting forced air heating systems.

Question 19

Why are central heating systems so popular?
A)Furnaces are centrally located in every home.
B)The system can be used for heating and cooling.
C)The system is easy to understand and maintain.
D)Furnaces are designed to last for 50 years.

Accepted Answer

Central heating systems are so popular because they can be used for heating and cooling. Many owners find this particular system to be convenient since it has a dualpurpose. Having central heating systems can help owners save money and often requires lower maintenance than having separate heating and cooling systems.

Question 20

You should not turn on air conditioning units during cold weather when inspecting air cooling systems. What should the outdoor temperature be before you test these units?
A)At least 32 degrees
B)At least 40 degrees
C)At least 53 degrees
D)At least 60 degrees

Accepted Answer

When inspecting air cooling systems, you should not turn on air conditioning units during cold weather. Before you test these units, the outdoor temperature should be at least 60 degrees. If you turn on air conditioning units in colder weather, you risk damaging components. Cold weather can damage ductwork or the unit itself by causing components to freeze and crack.

Quiz 2: Building Science

You notice the chimney is leaning. The owner tells you it has been in that condition since he purchased the home 20 years ago. What is your response?

Home inspectors are required to inspect stairs for safety. Which of the following is the maximum acceptable height difference between risers?

You notice the owner has installed a divider wall between the kitchen and dining room. You measure it and find it is 4½ feet tall. How do you handle this situation?

What is the type of window that is most commonly found in homes older than 30 years?

When inspecting smoke detectors, you want to make note of their locations. The ideal placement of a smoke detector is

Flashing is associated with which housing feature?

What types of defects should you look for when inspecting the roof of a home?

What is the most common type of defect associated with roof vents?

Home inspectors are required to identify shut-off valves on water heaters. What type of shut-off valves can you expect to see when inspecting a water heater?

Which of the following materials are NOT used for gutters?

Which of the following conditions are you looking for when inspecting skylights?

When inspecting fiber-cement siding, which of the following are you MOST likely to find?

Which type of installed heating equipment must be included in your inspection?

When a retaining wall is constructed without the use of mortar, what is it called?

You notice an odor that resembles rotten eggs while inspecting a home. Which of the following statements is MOST likely to be true?

Which of the following examples is NOT a type of heating system?

What is the most common type of heating system you expect to find in homes?

Which of the following are methods for heating air in forced air heating systems?

Why are central heating systems so popular?

You should not turn on air conditioning units during cold weather when inspecting air cooling systems. What should the outdoor temperature be before you test these units?