ICA EXAM 1

Asphalt shingles are NOT allowed to be installed on roofs with slopes less than

1 in 12. 2 in 12. 3 in 12. 4 in 12.

Garage door opener electronic eye sensors are properly installed when facing each other

1 to 3 inches above the garage floor. 4 to 6 inches above the garage floor. 7 to 10 inches above the garage floor. 11 to 15 inches above the garage floor.

The MAXIMUM acceptable variation in riser heights within a flight of stairs is

1/2 inch. 3/8 inch. 3/4 inch. 1 inch.

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

100 amps at 120 volts. 125 amps at 120 volts. 60 amps at 240 volts. 100 amps at 240 volts.

What is the MINIMUM electrical service drop clearance from a residential driveway?

12 feet 13 feet 15 feet 18 feet

Low pressure boiler pipes do NOT carry steam pressure above

15 psi 12 psi 9 psi 6 psi

A newly built ventilated crawl space with a vapor retarder is REQUIRED to have one square foot of net ventilation opening per

150 square feet of crawl space. 600 square feet of crawl space. 1,200 square feet of crawl space. 1,500 square feet of crawl space.

A swimming pool fence must prevent passage of a sphere that is larger than

2 inches. 3 inches. 4 inches. 5 inches.

The MINIMUM clearance between a wood stove single wall vent connector and combustible materials should be

3 inches. 9 inches. 18 inches. 36 inches.

What is the MINIMUM allowable separation between a masonry chimney and combustible materials?

3/4 inch 1 inch 2 inches 4 inches

Overhead electrical service should be a MINIMUM of how many feet above a flat roof subject to foot traffic?

4 feet 6 feet 8 feet 10 feet

The service panel enclosure door is required to open at least

45°. 90°. 135°. 180°.

Which is the most acceptable fastener for connecting a deck ledger to a band board?

5/8 inch diameter stainless steel carriage bolt 1/2 inch diameter electroplated galvanized steel wood screw 1/2 inch diameter hot-dipped galvanized steel machine bolt 5/8 inch diameter brass machine screw

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

5° F and 15° F 15° F and 25° F 25° F and 35° F 35° F and 45° F

At what level would water pressure within a single-family dwelling begin to be considered excessive and require correction?

60 psi 80 psi 100 psi 120 psi

The normal MAXIMUM rise of residential stair treads is

7 3/4 inches / depth is 10 inches

Electrical receptacles in bathrooms should be

GFCI protected. at least 3 feet away from showers and bathtubs. not more than 2 feet from the vanity basin. waterproofed.

During a summertime inspection, what could indicate chronic condensation problems in an attic?

The attic is very warm. There is no vapor retarder on the insulation. There are gray/black stains on the north side roof sheathing. There are mildew stains on the bathroom ceilings.

A concrete block basement wall has significant efflorescence. What is the most likely reason for this condition?

The cinder content in the blocks is too high. The foundation plants are too close to the house. The blocks are not grouted. The soil has settled at the foundation.

Most problems with concrete are caused at the time of installation. What single factor causes the MOST problems?

The concrete has insufficient thickness. Too much water is added to the mix. Too much Portland cement is in the mix. The wrong kind of sand is in the mix.

A poured concrete basement wall has a 1/4 inch wide crack where the wall is bowing slightly. Brown stains are below the crack. What is the most likely reason for this condition?

The gutters are blocked. The wall contains 5/8 inch reinforcing steel. The concrete was not properly vibrated. The wall dampproofing was improperly installed.

A concrete driveway is 1/z inch higher than the adjacent concrete walkway. What is the most likely reason for this condition?

The walkway is not thick enough. The soil under the walkway was not compacted. There is no reinforcing steel in the walkway. The walkway concrete is not air-entrained.

A poured concrete retaining wall with weep holes is rotating. What is the most likely reason for the rotation?

The wall has no deadman anchors. The footing has no reinforcing steel. There is no gravel behind the wall. The wall is cantilevered.

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 likely explanation for the sound?

Water discharging from the toilet is pulling water from the tub trap. The tub drain is partially blocked. Water discharging from the toilet is pushing air through the tub trap. The branch drain is partially blocked downstream from the tub.

Conducting a complete and thorough home inspection minimizes the need for

a contract. errors and omissions insurance. bonding. a detailed inspection report.

Water hammer can occur as a result of

a lack of air chambers. faulty shutoff valves. loose piping. low static water pressure.

If water infiltration is suspected behind a finished surface. What tool would be the best choice to verify dampness?

a non-contact moisture meter

Roof truss uplift can cause cracks to form

above exterior doors and windows. at interior wall/ceiling intersections. in bottom chords of roof trusses. in top chords of roof trusses.

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

acceptable because the siding is a non-conducting type. an improper installation that should be corrected. a benefit because additional protection is provided to the service entrance cable. acceptable, provided the drip loops at the service entrance head are left exposed.

Dielectric unions

accommodate pipe expansion. are undesirable and indicate a problem. prevent galvanic action. help maintain electrical grounding of pipes.

A home inspection typically includes an examination of

adequacy of heat supply. heat exchangers. humidifiers. vents, flues, and chimneys.

The device used to detect the electrical current to the electric heater coil is called

an anemometer. an ohm meter. a volt meter. an ammeter.

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

an escape and rescue opening. a carbon monoxide alarm. a fire extinguisher. a safety ladder.

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 suspect

an exterior fan running too slowly. an overheating compressor. a dirty filter. a thermostat set too low.

Where should squash blocks (web blocking) be found in a wood I-joist floor system?

at bearing ends and load bearing walls above with support girders below at bearing ends and all splices at bearing ends and plumbing penetrations at perimeter ends, plumbing penetrations, and splices over girders

A movement joint should be installed in brick veneer:

at support by different structural components. at each floor level. at each side of a lintel above a garage door. above each soldier course.

When a cooling unit is located in an attic where damage may result from condensate overflow

attic ventilation must be increased to avoid condensation. steel ducting is not allowed because of potential damage from condensation. an auxiliary condensate drain system is required. a supplemental condensate pump is required.

Potable water systems connected to lawn irrigation systems need to be protected from

backsiphonage. excess water usage. mechanical damage. low water flow.

Which of the following is a common maintenance task for a residential refrigeration system?

clean the heat exchanger replace refrigerant clean the condenser coil replace the thermostat

In a forced air heating system containing a split system air conditioner and a humidifier, humidity is reduced by

condensation at the evaporator coil

What is a required element of a contract?

consideration real estate agent's name seller's name names of persons attending the inspection

What is the most common contributing factor to masonry retaining wall movement?

corbelled construction hydrostatic pressure poorly mortared joints too many tiebacks

Which set of building terms do NOT belong together?

cripple trimmer, purlin arch, header, lintel rafters, ceiling joists, trusses sheathing, flooring, decking

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

differential settlement from adverse drainage conditions. excessive amounts of aggregate in the concrete mix. settlement from compaction of soils below the footings. shrinkage of the concrete from excess water at the time of pouring.

A Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) is a safety device that

disconnects power when the grounding to the outlet is faulty. detects moisture and disconnects power in wet locations. disconnects the power when sensing current leakage to ground. protects against electrical surges and voltage spikes.

A standard claims made errors and omissions insurance policy includes claims filed

during the time the policy is in effect. after the policy has lapsed. before the policy effective date. while the inspector maintains any required license.

When an asphalt shingle roof is installed over existing shingles, leakage commonly occurs at the

eaves. penetrations. ridge. hips.

Connections of dissimilar metal in a plumbing system, such as galvanized steel pipe and copper pipe, will usually cause

electrolysis

What is the most appropriate fastener material for a slate shingle roof covering?

electroplated galvanized nails zinc nails hot-dipped galvanized nails copper nails

The reason a dielectric union would be used in plumbing distribution pipes is to

ensure that the grounding conductor has a secure connection. separate two dissimilar metals to prevent corrosion. isolate any electrical wires touching the supply pipes. bond the hot and cold water pipes.

Home inspection agreements (contracts) should

establish the limitations of the inspection. be as exculpatory as possible. describe the weather conditions allowed. include the name of the client's real estate agent.

Capillary tubes are part of the

evaporator coil. heat exchanger. condenser coil. compressor discharge.

What is a common cause of buckled hardwood flooring in an existing house?

excessive moisture lack of moisture improper installation poor quality material

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

excessive sand in the mortar mix. defective brick bonding. improper ceiling joist installation. differential settlement.

Columns typically support

footers. walls. girders. joists.

Most modern kitchen ranges are required to have

front edge controls. a warming drawer. an anti-tip device. a tipping alarm.

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?

general liability homeowner's errors and omissions bonding

The purpose of a contract is to protect the

homeowner. real estate agent. buyer/client. home inspector and client.

A basin makes a gurgling sound at the end of draining the fixture. This may be due to

improperly supported pipes. inadequate venting. an undersized drain pipe. improper drain slope.

Ice damming at the eaves may be caused by

inadequate attic insulation. undersized gutters. shallow roof slope. improper flashing.

When inspecting the structural system, the inspector is required to

inspect only the visible components in the attic and crawl space. specify method of structural repairs to the system. report all structural deficiencies observed. determine the cause and origin of the damage.

An electrical system with a fuse on the neutral conductor and on the energized (hot) conductors

is twice as safe as a system where only the energized (hot) conductors are fused. should have the neutral conductor fuse sized to one half the normal ampacity for the circuit. is overfused up to 50% if used only for lighting. is hazardous and should be corrected.

Which has the LEAST effect on the deflection of a dimension lumber floor system?

joist width

Where might you expect to find a window with safety glass?

less than 18 inches above the floor less than 24 inches above the floor above a kitchen sink on the second story

Roof trusses

may be cut or modified in the field. make drywall nail pops less likely. cannot be used for long ceiling spans. are usually designed for two-point bearing.

Which roof covering is most appropriate for a roof with a slope of 11/2:12 above a single family house? Assume standard installation of any required underlayment.

metal shingles roll mineral modified bitumen slate shingles

Adhered masonry veneer is installed in the same manner as:

natural stone veneer. stucco. fiber cement siding. steel siding.

If a system designed for use with natural gas is supplied with propane gas

no changes are needed for the equipment to function properly. the flame will be too high unless a smaller orifice is installed. the flame will be too low unless a larger orifice is installed. the gas regulator and valve must be replaced.

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

notify the occupants of the significant hazard, advise immediate repair to both the occupant and client in the report. note the significant hazard and recommend immediate repair, by licensed professional, in your report. refer the wood deterioration to a structural pest control operator for professional opinion. recommend sistering existing framing members to increase strength, prior to further use.

The inclusion of photographs in home inspection reports is

optional. mandatory. discriminatory. illegal.

A scupper would most likely be located in

parapet wall

Relative Humidity (RH) is expressed as

percentage

Circuit breakers

protect the wire from an electrical overload

The purpose of a trap in the waste drainage system is to

provide maintenance access. prevent siphoning. block sewer gases. cause water to drain smoothly.

Buckling in horizontal vinyl siding is generally caused by

reflected sunlight. improper fastening. condensation in walls. improper house wrap.

Condensation between glass layers of thermal pane windows indicates the need to

repair or replace sealant. repair or clean breather holes. replace glazing, sash, or window. replace the interior pane.

Which of the following is NOT a component of wood stairs?

riser header stringer tread

On a hillside house with foundation drain systems,

rock-filled foundation drains are not allowed on the interior side of the foundation. the roof drains should connect directly to the foundation drains and have cleanouts. all foundation drain systems must be in perforated plastic piping extending to daylight. the foundation drain systems collect water passing laterally through the slope.

Oriented strand board (OSB) is used MOST frequently in

roof, floor, and exterior wall sheathing. walls and interior sheathing. ceramic tile underlayment. vinyl tile underlayment.

Gas-fired furnace heat exchangers most often fail from

rust and metal fatigue

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?

settlement of the chimney footing expansion of mortar absence of a cricket flashing at the roof lack of a rain cap on the flue

The purpose of flashing on a roof is to

shed water onto roofing materials. seal roof shingles to vertical surfaces. protect roofing material. join different roofing materials.

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

should be connected to a separate grounded buss bar. should be connected to a separate ground rod. may be bonded using the panel cover screws. may be connected to the neutral buss bar.

The inspector is required to operate all of the following EXCEPT

shutoff valves. manual garage door. a representative number of windows. folding attic stairs.

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

small diameter copper tubes emerging from the inside of the foundation wan or the floor near the furnace or boiler an approximately 1 1/4 inch diameter vent pipe outside coming from underground up against the foundation the brick chimney serving the furnace or boiler has deteriorated mortar joints at the bottom your knowledge that the neighborhood had or still has some houses served by oil heat

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

the buyer monitor the floor. Floor systems such as this have redundant framing and removal of one joist is insignificant. a contractor should support the cut joist with new piers and posts from below. the cut joist should be headed off to adjacent framing members to distribute the load. a contractor be contacted to determine what is needed and make repairs.

A home inspection report MUST include

the general life expectancy of the roofing material

Knob and tube wiring may be acceptable if

the home is insulated with fiberglass. the circuit breaker system is proper. not covered by insulation. the fuse system is still in place.

One of the purposes of a home inspection contract is to define the responsibilities limitations for

the real estate agent. the client. the seller. the appraiser.

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

the seal between the draft inducer fan and the furnace is failing. moisture is condensing in the vent and running back into the draft inducer fan. the draft inducer fan is not operating properly. the furnace has failed and is unsafe to operate.

As a lintel over doors and windows in a masonry wall rusts it may cause

the window glass to crack. the wall at the top to push out. cracks at the tops of openings. the lintel to rotate and displace the brick.

What is the primary purpose of control joints placed in concrete driveways?

to prevent cracks to drain the surface to reduce random cracking to enhance appearance

A ground fault occurs when

too many devices are used on a circuit. a hot conductor touches another hot conductor. a hot conductor touches a grounded surface or grounding conductor. a grounded conductor comes in contact with a grounding conductor.

How are the holes in rigid foundation drain pipe aligned?

toward the foundation on the top half of the pipe on the bottom half of the pipe away from the foundation

Stringer, tread, and riser are all components of a

truss system. floor system. stair system. wall system.

An ungrounded receptacle may be replaced by a ground fault circuit interrupter installed

upstream from the receptacle

Bonding of appliances can be confirmed by using a/an

volt meter. receptacle tester. ohm meter. ammeter.

In new construction, the MINIMUM overhead electrical service clearances are

walkway: 8 feet, roadway: 16 feet, deck: 10 feet walkway: 9 feet, roadway: 15 feet, deck: 12 feet walkway: 10 feet, roadway: 18 feet, deck: 10 feet walkway: 12 feet, roadway: 20 feet, deck: 12 feet

The final decision to enter a crawl space is made

when the home inspection is booked. by the homeowner. by the home inspector. by the client and agent.

A home inspector should probe

where decay is suspected. spalling in concrete. a representative number of floor joists. around a toilet.