Question 1

Crawl spaces should be insulated. What do home inspectors tend to find when inspecting crawl spaces?
A)Missing sections of insulation
B)Destroyed sections of insulation
C)Hanging sections of insulation
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

Crawl spaces should be insulated. When inspecting crawl spaces, home inspectors tend to find all of the above. You should recommend to your client that the crawl space insulation be repaired. If insulation was never installed, it needs to be installed as soon as possible for moisture control.

Question 2

During the exterior inspection of a home built in 1972, you notice paint chips on windowsills and on the ground near wood railings. Why should you be concerned?
A)The home has not been painted recently.
B)The paint chips may contain lead.
C)The wood railings may have splinters.
D)The soil may be contaminated with radon.

Accepted Answer

During the exterior inspection of a home built in 1972, you notice paint chips on windowsills and on the ground near wood railings. You should be concerned because the paint chips may contain lead. Paint with high levels of lead is known to be toxic to children. The paint chips can be tested to determine if there are lead hazards in or around the home.

Question 3

Which of the following statements is the BEST reason to inspect for proper ventilation in a home?
A)Ventilation removes odors from the home.
B)Ventilation reduces condensation throughout the home.
C)Ventilation prevents deterioration and decay in the home.
D)Ventilation improves air quality in the home.

Accepted Answer

The best reason to inspect for proper ventilation in a home is that ventilation prevents deterioration and decay in the home. When a home is properly ventilating, the foundation and walls remain strong. Moisture speeds up decay processes.

Question 4

Which of the following coats is NOT part of a three-coat stucco system?
A)Black coat
B)Scratch coat
C)Finish coat
D)Brown coat

Accepted Answer

The coat that is not part of a three-coat stucco system is a black coat. A three-coat stucco system begins with the application of a scratch coat. The scratch coat is the strongest. It is followed by a brown coat to address any deficiencies in the scratch coat. Finally, a finish coat is applied which typically provides the decorative quality of a stucco system.

Question 5

Where are you likely to find evidence of black mold during a home inspection?
A)On walls in any room
B)In kitchen cabinets
C)In closets throughout the home
D)All of the above
E)None of the above

Accepted Answer

You are likely to find evidence of black mold during a home inspection in all of the above locations. Black mold flourishes in dark places, which is why kitchen cabinets and closets are ideal areas. However, it is often when black mold is found on walls that homeowners suspect there is a problem. Wherever there are water-damaged walls, there is a chance for black mold to grow.

Question 6

During your inspection of the plumbing system, the owner mentions frequent drain clogs. You decide to check the slope of the drainpipes. Which of the following slopes is recommended for drain lines?
A)Less than ¼" per foot
B)At least ¼" per foot
C)Less than 4" per foot
D)At least 4" per foot

Accepted Answer

During your inspection of the plumbing system, the owner mentions frequent drain clogs. You decide to check the slope of the drainpipes. The slope that is recommended for drain lines is at least ¼" per foot of drainpipe. Drain line slopes that are less than ¼" can be modified to prevent clogging. Slopes should never exceed 3".

Question 7

The basement of the home you are inspecting has evidence of water leakage. Which of the following problems is NOT a possible cause of water leakage in basements?
A)Improperly installed downspouts
B)Clogged gutters
C)Absence of a sump pump
D)Corrosion of water pipes

Accepted Answer

The basement of the home you are inspecting has evidence of water leakage. The problem that is not a possible cause of water leakage in basements is the absence of a sump pump. Basements do not leak water because there is no sump pump. However, if there is a sump pump in the basement that is not kept maintained, water leakage can result.

Question 8

When identifying deficiencies, home inspectors must determine if each deficiency poses a safety hazard. Which of the following deficiencies is the greatest safety concern?
A)Aged electrical wiring
B)Rat infestation
C)Improper ground connections
D)Unsealed flue liners

Accepted Answer

When identifying deficiencies, home inspectors must determine if each deficiency poses a safety hazard. The deficiency that is of the greatest safety concern is aged electrical wiring. Bad wiring can cause house fires. Old wiring increases the occurrence of injuries and deaths due to electrocution.

Question 9

Which of the following deficiencies is a warning sign of a serious electrical problem?
A)Discolored electrical outlets
B)Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
C)Flickering lights
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above are warning signs of a serious electrical problem. Discolored outlets suggest there is burning taking place behind the outlet. When circuit breakers trip often, there may be a need to upgrade the electrical system. Flickering lights suggest there may be shorts in the electrical wiring.

Question 10

To determine whether sufficient insulation is in place, home inspectors need to know the different types of insulation available for home use. Which of the following is NOT a type of insulation?
A)Foam-in-place
B)Roll foam
C)Rigid foam
D)Loose-fill

Accepted Answer

To determine whether sufficient insulation is in place, home inspectors need to know the different types of insulation available for home use. Roll foam is not a type of insulation. Loose-fill insulation is typically blown into the targeted space. Foam-in-place is also blown into areas but is most suitable for small spaces like around windows. Rigid foam is available in large "sheets" that are nailed in place.

Question 11

The home you are inspecting may have a solid fuel heating device that needs to be checked. Which of the following heating devices is NOT an example of a solid fuel heating device?
A)Pellet stove
B)Wood-burning stove
C)Electric heater
D)Fireplace

Accepted Answer

The home you are inspecting may have a solid fuel heating device that needs to be checked. An electric heater is not an example of a solid fuel heating device. Pellet stoves use biomass pellets for burning. Each of the solid fuel heating devices listed uses wood in some form for burning and generating heat.

Question 12

Which type of window is known to be problematic?
A)Steel casement windows
B)Transom windows
C)Awning windows
D)Stationary windows

Accepted Answer

The type of window that is known to be problematic is steel casement windows. These windows typically have to be painted every other year or so. They are known to rust and painting slows the deterioration of the windows. Panes are often cracked because the windows are difficult to operate, placing added pressure on the panes.

Question 13

What is it called when waste pipes are also vent pipes?
A)Drying venting
B)Waste venting
C)Wet venting
D)Water venting

Accepted Answer

When waste pipes are also vent pipes, it is called wet venting. Wet venting is permissible in bathrooms. An example is when the sink drain connects to the vent pipe for the toilet. Wet venting can only be used within the same bathroom or two bathrooms on the same floor.

Question 14

R-value is associated with which of the following components?
A)Amperage
B)Condensation
C)Ventilation
D)Insulation

Accepted Answer

R-value is associated with insulation. It is a measurement that represents thermal resistance. R-value measures the ratio of the difference in temperature across an insulation source and the amount of heat transferred. Insulation with high R-values are better able to protect against heat movement.

Question 15

What is the minimum size requirement for emergency escape windows in basements?
A)3)7 square feet
B)4)7 square feet
C)5)7 square feet
D)6)7 square feet

Accepted Answer

The minimum size requirement for emergency escape windows in basements is 5.7 square feet. These windows must be at least 24 inches in height and 20 inches wide. Emergency escape windows in sleeping rooms have the same size requirements.

Question 16

Which of the following components is not part of a natural gas furnace?
A)Heat exchanger
B)Expansion valve
C)Combustion fan
D)Gas valve

Accepted Answer

An expansion valve is not part of a natural gas furnace. Air conditioning systems use expansion valves to manage the refrigerant and reduce pressure on the system. Expansion valves are components of evaporators found in all air conditioners.

Question 17

Which of the following toxins is odorless, invisible, and caused by deposits of natural uranium?
A)Carbon monoxide
B)Hydrofluoric acid
C)Formaldehyde
D)Radon gas

Accepted Answer

The toxin that is odorless, invisible, and caused by deposits of natural uranium is radon gas. Radon gas exposure can result in lung cancer. According to the EPA, radon ranks as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country. It is the primary cause of lung cancer in individuals who do not smoke.

Question 18

Which of the following constructs are structural components of a home?
A)Roof trusses
B)Joists
C)Floor trusses
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above are structural components of a home. Roof trusses are engineered frameworks that provide support to the roof. Floor trusses work similarly to roof trusses - they are located underneath flooring and are part of the floor frame. Joists also provide support to roofs and floors.

Question 19

What BEST describes the purpose of a flue?
A)To dispel exhaust gases from fireplaces
B)To help fires in fireplaces burn all night
C)To keep birds from nesting in chimneys
D)To clean chimney stacks on fireplaces

Accepted Answer

The best description of the purpose of a flue is that it dispels exhaust gases from fireplaces. Gas buildup, including carbon monoxide, is dangerous. The flue makes sure gases and other compounds leave the home rather than enter the room where the fireplace is located.

Question 20

In addition to checking for safe handrails, home inspectors need to consider the width and depth of stairs. If stairs have railings on both sides, what is the recommended minimum width for stairways?
A)24 inches
B)27 inches
C)33 inches
D)36 inches

Accepted Answer

In addition to checking for safe handrails, home inspectors need to consider the width and depth of stairs. If stairs have railings on both sides, the recommended minimum width for stairways is 27 inches. If the stairways had no railings, the minimum width would be 36 inches. Since there are two railings, each railing can take up to 4½ inches of stair space on each side for a total of nine inches.

Quiz 2: Building Science

Crawl spaces should be insulated. What do home inspectors tend to find when inspecting crawl spaces?

During the exterior inspection of a home built in 1972, you notice paint chips on windowsills and on the ground near wood railings. Why should you be concerned?

Which of the following statements is the BEST reason to inspect for proper ventilation in a home?

Which of the following coats is NOT part of a three-coat stucco system?

Where are you likely to find evidence of black mold during a home inspection?

During your inspection of the plumbing system, the owner mentions frequent drain clogs. You decide to check the slope of the drainpipes. Which of the following slopes is recommended for drain lines?

The basement of the home you are inspecting has evidence of water leakage. Which of the following problems is NOT a possible cause of water leakage in basements?

When identifying deficiencies, home inspectors must determine if each deficiency poses a safety hazard. Which of the following deficiencies is the greatest safety concern?

Which of the following deficiencies is a warning sign of a serious electrical problem?

To determine whether sufficient insulation is in place, home inspectors need to know the different types of insulation available for home use. Which of the following is NOT a type of insulation?

The home you are inspecting may have a solid fuel heating device that needs to be checked. Which of the following heating devices is NOT an example of a solid fuel heating device?

Which type of window is known to be problematic?

What is it called when waste pipes are also vent pipes?

R-value is associated with which of the following components?

What is the minimum size requirement for emergency escape windows in basements?

Which of the following components is not part of a natural gas furnace?

Which of the following toxins is odorless, invisible, and caused by deposits of natural uranium?

Which of the following constructs are structural components of a home?

What BEST describes the purpose of a flue?

In addition to checking for safe handrails, home inspectors need to consider the width and depth of stairs. If stairs have railings on both sides, what is the recommended minimum width for stairways?