NHIE 100 QUESTIONS
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
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
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
23. Water hammer can occur as a result of A. a lack of air chambers. B. faulty shutoff valves. C. loose piping. D. low static water pressure.
A
25. Low pressure boiler pipes do NOT carry steam pressure above A. 15 psi. B. 12 psi. C. 9 psi. D. 6 psi.
A
29. A subpanel in an older house that is wired with non-metallic sheathed cable (NM) has one circuit with a ground wire. The ground wire A. should be connected to a separate grounded buss bar. B. should be connected to a separate ground rod. C. may be bonded using the panel cover screws. D. may be connected to the neutral buss bar.
A
30. Inspecting a very old country house, a gurgling sound is heard from the tub drain when the toilet is flushed. Which of the following is the MOST 1ikely explanation for the sound? A. Water discharging from the toilet is pulling water from the tub trap. B. The tub drain is partially blocked. C. Water discharging from the toilet is pushing air through the tub trap. D. The branch drain is partially blocked downstream from the tub.
A
33. You inspect a wood framed cantilevered balcony off a second-story bedroom. You find significant wood deterioration (at least one-half member depth) of all cantilever joists at the bearing point of the house. You should A. notify the occupants of the significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant and client in the report. B. note the significant hazard and recommend immediate repair, by licensed professional, in your report. C. refer the wood deterioration to a structural pest control operator for professional opinion. D. recommend sistering existing framing members to increase strength, prior to further use.
A
37. Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system? A. at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below B. at bearing ends and all splices C. at bearing ends and plumbing penetrations D. at perimeter ends, plumbing penetrations, and splices over girders
A
39. Oriented strand board (OSB) is used MOST frequently in A. roof, floor, and exterior wall sheathing. B. walls and interior sheathing. C. ceramic tile underlayment. D. vinyl tile underlayment.
A
43 Electrical receptacles in bathrooms should be A. GFCI protected. B. at least 3 feet away from showers and bathtubs. C. not more than 2 feet from the vanity basin. D. waterproofed.
A
49. Ice damming at the eaves may be caused by A. inadequate attic insulation. B. undersized gutters. C. shallow roof slope. D. improper flashing.
A
50. The purpose of fla shing on a roof is to A. shed water onto roofing materials. B. seal roof shingles to vertical surfaces. C. protect roofing material. D. join different roofing materials.
A
53. What is the MINIMUM electrical service drop clearance from a residential driveway? A. 12 feet B. 13 feet C. 15 feet D. 18 feet
A
60. Capillary tubes are part of the A. evaporator coil. B. heat exchanger. C. condenser coil. D. compressor discharge.
A
66. While conducting an inspection, your ladder falls over and breaks the homeowner's priceless Ming vase. What type of insurance is needed to cover the replacement? A. general liability B. homeowner's C. errors and omissions D. bonding
A
72. The inspector is required to operate all of the following EXCEPT A. shutoff valves. B. manual garage door. C. a representative number of windows. D. folding attic stairs.
A
73. Potable water systems connected to lawn irrigation systems need to be protected from A. backsiphonage. B. excess water usage. C. mechanical damage. D. low water flow.
A
75. The inclusion of photographs in home inspection reports is A. optional. B. mandatory. C. discriminatory. D. illegal.
A
76. A home inspector should probe A. where decay is suspected. B. spalling in concrete. C. a representative number of floor joists. D. around a toilet.
A
79. What is a required element of a contract? A consideration B. real estate agent's name C. seller's name D. names of persons attending the inspection
A
80. Home inspection agreements (contracts) should A establish the limitations of the inspection. B. be as exculpatory as possible. C. describe the weather conditions allowed. D. include the name of the client's real estate agent.
A
88. Where might you expect to find a window with safety glass? A. less than 18 inches above the floor B. less than 24 inches above the floor C. above a kitchen sink D. on the second story
A
89. What is a common cause of buckled hardwood flooring in an existing house? A. excessive moisture B. lack of moisture C. improper installation D. poor quality material
A
90. A newly built ventilated crawl space with a vapor retarder is REQUIRED to have one square foot of net ventilation opening per A. 150 square feet of crawl space. B. 600 square feet of crawl space. C. 1,200 square feet of crawl space. D. 1,500 square feet of crawl space.
A
91. A standard claims made errors and omissions insurance policy includes claims filed A. during the time the policy is in effect. B. after the policy has lapsed. C. before the policy effective date. D. while the inspector maintains any required license.
A
92. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. What common defect is visible in the photograph of the entry steps? A. The riser height is too high. B. The hand rail is missing. C. The tread depth is too shallow. D. The tread depth is uneven.
A
97. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. The device shown in the photo is a A. backflow preventer. B. pressure reducer valve. C. gas pressure regulator. D. backwater valve.
A
100. Please refer to the figure to answer this question. The figure shows a roof and chimney. The water is diverted around the chimney by the A. bird's mouth. B. cricket. C. swale. D. camelback.
B
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
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
19. An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed A. on the same phase as the receptacle. B. upstream from the receptacle. D. downstream from the receptacle. C. anywhere in the receptacle branch circuit.
B
24. If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas A. no changes are needed for the equipment to function properly. B. the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed. C. the flame w ill be too low unless a larger orifice is installed. D. the gas regulator and valve must be replaced.
B
26 When an asphalt shingle roof is installed over existing shingles, leakage commonly occurs at the A. eaves. B. penetrations. C. ridge. D. hips.
B
31. You are inspecting an older home which has replacement windows and new vinyl siding. The new siding is backed up with rigid foam insulation that covers the service entrance cable from the weatherhead to the meter. You should report that this is A. acceptable because the siding is a non-conducting type. B. an improper installation that should be corrected. C. a benefit because additional protection is provided to the service entrance cable. D. acceptable, provided the drip loops at the service entrance head are left exposed.
B
35. Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than A. 1in12. B. 2 in 12. C. 3in12. D. 4 in 12.
B
40. Which of the following is NOT a component of wood stairs? A. riser B. header C. stringer D. tread
B
44. Medium efficiency furnaces have a draft inducer fan and are connected directly to the vent system instead of having a draft hood. There are white and yellowish deposits below the draft inducer fan. A possible explanation for these deposits is that A. the seal between the draft inducer fan and the furnace is failing. B. moisture is condensing in the vent and running back into the draft inducer fan. C. the draft inducer fan is not operating properly. D. the furnace has failed and is unsafe to operate.
B
54. The reason a dielectric union would be used in plumbing distribution pipes is to A. ensure that the grounding conductor has a secure connection. B. separate two dissimilar metals to prevent corrosion. C. isolate any electrical wires touching the supply pipes. D. bond the hot and cold water pipes.
B
55. A basin makes a gurgling sound at the end of draining the fixture. This may be due to A. improperly supported pipes. B. inadequate venting. C. an undersized drain pipe. D. improper drain slope.
B
59. Garage door opener electronic eye sensors are properly installed when facing each other A. 1 to 3 inches above the garage floor. B. 4 to 6 inches above the garage floor. C. 7 to 10 inches above the garage floor. D. 11 to 15 inches above the garage floor.
B
62. Roof truss uplift can cause cracks to form A. above exterior doors and windows. B. at interior wall/ceiling intersections. C. in bottom chords of roof trusses. D. in top chords of roof trusses.
B
63. When measuring the temperature drop across the evaporator in a central air conditioning system, a properly running unit on a humid summer day should read between A 5° F and 15° F B. 15° F and 25° F C. 25° F and 35° F D. 35° F and 45° F
B
65. The MAXIMUM acceptable variation in riser heights within a flight of stairs is A. 1/2 inch. B. 3/8 inch. C. 3/4 inch. D. 1 inch.
B
69. The service panel enclosure door is required to open at least A 45°. B. 90°. c. 135°. D. 180°.
B
78. One of the purposes of a home insp ection contract is to define the responsibilities and limitations for A the real estate agent. B. the client. C. the seller. D. the appraiser.
B
84. Conducting a complete and thorough home inspection minimizes the need for A. a contract. B. errors and omissions insurance. C. bonding. D. a detailed inspection report.
B
85. What is the most common contributing factor to masonry retaining wall movement? A corbelled construction B. hydrostatic pressure C. poorly mortared joints D. too many tiebacks
B
94. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. Some inspectors measure the electricity used by a condenser. The numerals on the readout show A. ohms. B. amps. C. volts. D. watts.
B
95. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. The truss roof framing in the photograph is A. proper and normal. B. field altered. C. in need of cripples. D. in need of a purlin.
B
20. Circuit breakers A. protect inhabitants by limiting shock duration. B. regulate power to the attached equipment. C. protect the wire from an electrical overload. D. measure the current in a circuit.
C
21. In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a humidifier, humidity is reduced by A running the humidifier in reverse. B. condensation at the condenser coil. C. condensation at the evaporator coil. D. condensation within the compressor.
C
22. A home inspection report MUST include A the general life expectancy of the roofing material. B. information on flammability of the roof material. C. the type of roof material and the method of observation. D. the age of the roof.
C
32. When looking at the exterior wall of a sixty year old brick masonry house with a gable roof, you notice a horizontal crack in the mortar and outward brick displacement along the gutter edge of the roof. The displacement is greatest at the center of the top three courses of brick. This condition is MOST likely caused by A. excessive sand in the mortar mix. B. defective brick bonding. C. improper ceiling joist installation. D. differen ti a 1 settlement.
C
34. When a cooling unit is located in an attic where damage may result from condensate overflow A. attic ventilation must be increased to avoid condensation. B. steel ducting is not allowed because of potential damage from condensation. C. an auxillary condensate drain system is required. D. a supplemental condensate pump is required.
C
38. Columns typically support A. footers. B. walls. C. girders. D. joists.
C
41. When inspecting the structural system, the inspector is required to A. inspect only the visible components in the attic and crawl space. B. specify method of structural repairs to the system. C. report all structural deficiencies observed. D. determine the cause and origin of the damage.
C
42. A ground fault occurs when A. too many devices are used on a circuit. B. a hot conductor touches another hot conductor. C. a hot conductor touches a grounded surface or grounding conductor. D. a grounded conductor comes in contact with a grounding conductor.
C
45. The purpose of a trap in the waste drainage system is to A. provide maintenance access. B. prevent siphoning. C. block sewer gases. D. cause water to drain smoothly.
C
47. In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical serv ice clearances are A. walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 10 feet B. walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 12 feet C. walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet D. walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet
C
48. During a summertime inspection, what could indicate chronic condensation problems in an attic? A. The attic is very warm. B. There is no vapor retarder on the insulation. C. There are gray/black stains on the north side roof sheathing. D. There are mildew stains on the bathroom ceilings.
C
51. The house you are inspecting currently has a gas-fired furnace or boiler. Each of the following clues may indicate that the house also has an abandoned buried fuel oil storage tank EXCEPT A. small diameter copper tubes emerging from the inside of the foundation wall or the floor near the furnace or boiler B. an approximately 1 % inch diameter vent pipe outside coming from underground up against the foundation C. the brick chimney serving the furnace or boiler has deteriorated mortar joints at the bottom D. your knowledge that the neighborhood h ad or still h as some houses served by oil heat
C
52. While inspecting a heat pump in the cooling mode, you measure a 28 degrees F temperature differential between the interior supply and return air. You should su spect A. an exterior fan running too slowly. B. an overheating compressor. C. a dirty filter. D. a thermostat set too low.
C
56. Condensation between glass layers of thermal pane windows indicates the need to A. repair or replace sealant. B. repair or clean breather holes. C. replace glazing, sash, or window. D. replace fhe interior pane.
C
57. Dielectric unions A. accommodate pipe expansion. B. are undesirable and indicate a problem. C. prevent galvanic action. D. help maintain electrical grounding of pipes.
C
58. The MINIMUM clearance between a wood stove single wall vent connector and combustible materials should be A. 3 inches. B. 9 inches. C. 18 inches. D. 36 inches.
C
61. As a lintel over doors and windows in a masonry wall rusts it may cause A. the window glass to crack B. the wall at the top to push out. C. cracks at the tops of openings. D. the lintel to rotate and displace the brick.
C
64. Knob and tube wiring may be acceptable if A. the home is insulated with fiberglass. B. the circuit breaker system is proper. C. not covered by insulation. D. the fuse system is still in place.
C
67. What is the MINIMUM allowable separation between a masonry chimney and combustible materials? A. 3/4 inch B. 1 inch C. 2 inches D. 4 inches
C
68. Bonding of appliances can be confirmed by using a/an A. volt meter. B. receptacle tester. C. ohm meter. D. ammeter.
C
70. Which of the following is a common maintenance task for a residential refrigeration system? A. clean the heat exchanger B. replace refrigerant C. clean the condenser coil D. replace the thermostat
C
74. Most modern kitchen ranges are required to have A. front edge controls. B. a warming drawer. C. an anti-tip device. D. a tipping alarm.
C
81. Stringer, tread, and riser are all components of a A truss system. B. floor system. C. stair system. D. wall system.
C
86. How are the holes in rigid foundation drain pipe aligned? A. toward the foundation B. on the top half of the pipe C. on the bottom half of the pipe D. away from the foundation
C
87. What is the primary purpose of control joints placed in concrete driveways? A. to prevent cracks B. to drain the surface C. to reduce random cracking D. to enhance appearance
C
93. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. What component is the arrow pointing to in the picture of the roof framing? A. rafter B. ridge board C. purlin D. strongback
C
98. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. The photograph shows a dryer exhaust termination near a gas-fired water heater vent termination. The home inspector should recommend that A. the dryer exhaust termination should be at least 5 feet from gas vent termination. B. the dryer exhaust backdraft damper should be repaired or replaced to prevent entry of combustion gasses. C. the gas vent is improperly terminated and should be relocated. D. the client monitor the gas vent for indications of deterioration caused by the moist air from. the dryer exhaust.
C
82. The final decision to enter a crawl space is made A when the home inspection is booked. B. by the homeowner. C. by the home inspector. D. by the client and agent.
C.
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
27. Roof trusses A. may be cut or modified in the field. B. make drywall nail pops less likely. C. cannot be used for long ceiling spans. D. are usually designed for two-point bearing.
D
28. On a hillside house with foundation drain systems, A. rock-filled foundation drains are not allowed on the interior side of the foundation. B. the roof drains should connect directly to the foundation drains and have cleanouts. C. all foundation drain systems must be in perforated plastic piping extending to daylight. D. the foundation drain systems collect water passing laterally through the slope.
D
36. If a poured concrete foundation has an unusually large number of vertical cracks, each no wider than 1/32 inch, the cause is likely to be A. differential settlement from adverse drainage conditions. B. excessive amounts of aggregate in the concrete mix. C. settlement from compaction of soils below the footings. D. shrinkage of the concrete from excess water at the time of pouring.
D
46. A home inspection typically includes an examination of A. adequacy of heat supply. B. heat exchangers. C. humidifiers. D. vents, flues, and chimneys.
D
71. The device used to detect the electrical current to the electric heater coil is called A. an anemometer. B. an ohm meter. C. a volt meter. D. an ammeter.
D
77. Overhead electrical service should be a MINIMUM of how many feet above a flat roof subject to foot traffic? A. 4 feet B. 6 feet C. 8 feet D. 10 feet
D
83. The purpose of a contract is to protect the A homeowner. B. real estate agent. C. buyer/client. D. home inspector and client.
D
96. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. The testing of garage doors with a wood block A. damages the door panels. B. irritates the opener mechanism. C. is ·improper. D. is the approved testing method.
D
99. Refer to the photograph to answer this question. The heating system in the photograph is a A. forced air furnace. B. gravity flow steam boiler. C. pump circulating hot water boiler. D. gravity flow warm air furnace.
D
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
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
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
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.
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
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
8. Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as A. volume. B. percentage. C. capacity. D. temperature.
percentage.
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.
