National Exam Missed Questions (2)

Question 1

Foundations with a crawl space do not require venting. T/F

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Four basic footing types are commonly used in residential construction. T/F

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Differential settlement may cause:
a. cracks in foundation, and/or walls
b. roof leaks
c. plumbing leaks
d. all of the above

Answer 3

all of the above
-cracks in foundation, and/or walls
-roof leaks
-plumbing leaks

Question 4

Sending the inspection report to which party is least likely to be considered an ethical breach by a home inspector? Assume all parties attended the home inspection.
a. clients parents
b. buyers agent
c. sellers agent
d. seller

Answer 4

client’s parents

Question 5

Which is most likely to be considered an ethical breach by a home inspector:
a. giving Christmas gifts to real estate agents
b. sponsoring a real estate golf party
c. paying to be a real estate brokerages preferred home inspector
d. recommending a pest inspection company

Answer 5

paying to be a real estate brokerages preferred home inspector

Question 6

A home inspector surety bond may best be described as a promise to pay if:
a. a home inspector fails to report a defect
b. home inspector steals something from an inspected property
c. a client is injured during an inspection
d. the home inspector does not pay a court judgement

Answer 6

the home inspector does not pay a court judgement

Question 7

Ordinary negligence can best be described as a failure to:
a. perform as a reasonable person would have under similar conditions
b. exercise slight care or as a reckless disregard of a legal duty
c. confirm that a statement is true before making it
d. fulfill an agreed upon promise

Answer 7

perform as a reasonable person would have under similar conditions

Question 8

Mediation can best be described as a
a. court imposed settlement
b. facilitated negotiation
c. quasi-judicial process
d. non-binding arbitration

Answer 8

facilitated negotiation

Question 9

An inspection agreement is presented to the client after an inspection may be declared invalid. What is the most likely reason for declaring such an agreement invalid?
a. inspection agreements must be presented before the inspection begins
b. there was no opportunity to negotiate the agreement
c. there was no exchange of consideration
d. a home inspector breached a duty to present the agreement in a timely manner

Answer 9

there was no opportunity to negotiate the agreement

Question 10

While performing a buyers inspection at an occupied house the home inspector detects a minor gas leak at the exterior gas meter. What is the home inspectors most appropriate action?
a. shut off gas at meter
b. call fire department
c. notify seller’s real estate agent
d. advise buyers to leave the property

Answer 10

notify seller’s real estate agent

Question 11

Nails that penetrate the roof sheathing are rusted. Some areas of roof sheathing present moisture stains and fungal growth. What is the most likely cause of these conditions?
a. air leaking from the house into the attic
b. inadequate attic insulation
c. absence of class 2 vapor retarder
d. water leaking around nails

Answer 11

air leaking from the house into the attic

Question 12

AN 8 foot concrete block wall leans in 1/2” and is not cracked. The wall is damp with moderate efflorescence. Who is the best specialist to recommend?
a. foundation contractor
b. geotechnical engineer
c. structural engineer
d. landscape contractor

Answer 12

landscape contractor

Question 13

What is the most likely indication that an electric water heater’s lower element has failed?
a. significant rust at lower element
b. no hot water at all faucets
c. some hot water, then warm water at all faucets
d. significant rust at power connection

Answer 13

some hot water, then warm water at all faucets

Question 14

What is the most likely indication that an air source air conditioning system is at the end of its surface life?
a. low temperature drop across the evaporator coil
b. rust on condenser components
c. water leaking from evaporator coil
d. deteriorated insulation on the refrigerant line set

Answer 14

rust on condenser components

Question 15

A fiberglass shingle roof covering is inspected during summer. What is the least likely indication that the shingles are near the end of service life?
a. roof leak
b. granule loss
c. tabs breaking when bent
d. exposed strands of fiberglass

Answer 15

roof leak

Question 16

Which of following is best example of unsafe condition?
a. large crack in foundation wall
b. several termite infested floor joists
c. stairway with uneven height risers
d. large area of moldy drywall

Answer 16

stairway with uneven height risers

Question 17

A roof is accessible by ladder and the home inspector believes the roof is safe to walk on. The minimum method of inspecting this roof involves:
a. walking on roof
b. viewing roof from ladder from one location
c. viewing roof from ground
d. viewing roof from a ladder in multiple locations

Answer 17

viewing roof from ground

Question 18

The closet where water heater is locked. Hot water was available where required. The best way to report this situation is the water heater:
a. was inaccessible
b. closet door was locked
c. water functioning properly
d. was not inspected because door was locked

Answer 18

was not inspected because door was locked

Question 19

What information is not required in an inspection report?
a. home inspector’s name
b. inspection date
c. property legal description
d. client’s legal name

Answer 19

property legal description

Question 20

Which would not be approved irrigation system type?
a . PEX
b. galvanized steel
c. ABS
d. schedule 20 PVC

Answer 20

schedule 20 PVC

Question 21

A double gate that allows access to the pool should be:
a. self-closing
b. at least 12” from water
c. at least 45” tall
d. self-latching

Answer 21

self-latching

Question 22

What is least likely to be an approved pool access barrier:
a. self-latching pedestrian gate
b. steep cliff
c. fence
d. house wall

Answer 22

self-latching pedestrian gate

Question 23

What is a prescriptive minimum distance between the bottom of a microwave oven and a range cooking surface?
a. 30”
b. 24”
c. 18”
d. no prescriptive minimum distance

Answer 23

no prescriptive minimum distance

Question 24

A properly installed food waste disposer that makes no sound when activated can sometimes be activated by:
a. resetting kitchen GFCI receptacle
b. pressing the thermal cut-off button
c. turning motor with hex wrench
d. running cold water into disposal

Answer 24

pressing the thermal cut-off button

Question 25

Inspection of which appliance is not within the scope of a home inspection? a. refrigerator b. trash compactor c. food waste disposer d. microwave oven

Answer 25

refrigerator

Question 26

A chimney should not be located on an exterior wall because: a. flue temperature may be too cold b. it is more expensive to build c. chimney fire is more likely

Answer 26

flue temperature may be too cold

Question 27

What is the BEST reason for a chimney to terminate above nearby obstructions? a. short chimneys require larger flues b. embers may ignite roof coverings c. wind may for combustion products down the flue

Answer 27

wind may for combustion products down the flue

Question 28

Creosote is most likely to be created in a chimney when burning: a. lighter fluid b. unseasoned oak c. newspaper

Answer 28

unseasoned oak

Question 29

The process by which heat changes wood chemistry making it more likely to burn is called: a. pyrolysis b. pyromancy c. pyrography

Answer 29

pyrolysis

Question 30

Where is stairway width measured? a. below handrail b. above handrail c. between ends of treads

Answer 30

above handrail

Question 31

Client complains of an occasional foul odor in a seldom used bathroom. Which of the following is most likely cause of this issue? a. vent pipe is improperly sloped b. cleanout was not installed c. bathtub trap water seal has evaporated

Answer 31

bathtub trap water seal has evaporated

Question 32

The label on a 240 volt electric water heater indicates that the element wattage should be 4500. The measure current is 14.6 amps. The MOST likely explanation: a. wrong size has been installed b. element failing c, ammeter battery is low

Answer 32

wrong size has been installed

Question 33

Most likely result of thermal expansion: a block foundation wall rotates inward b. clothes washing machine hose bursts c. furnace heat exchanger explodes

Answer 33

clothes washing machine hose bursts

Question 34

Why should 50-60% of the attic ventilation opening be at the eaves? a. warmer air requires smaller openings b. larger ridge openings are structurally unsound c. pressure in attic will be neutral or positive

Answer 34

pressure in attic will be neutral or positive

Question 35

Where would a radiant barrier be MOST effective? a. in attic in Phoenix, AZ b. on unconditioned side of a wall in Chicago, IL c. crawl space in Washington D.C.

Answer 35

on unconditioned side of a wall in Chicago, IL

Question 36

What action would most likely reduce fiberglass batt insulation R-value by the largest amount? a. fluffing insulation b. compressing insulation behind an electrical cable c. not placing the insulation in contact with an air barrier

Answer 36

not placing the insulation in contact with an air barrier

Question 37

Fiberglass batt insulation slows heat movement by: a. slowing air movement within the insulation b. reflecting infrared radiation off of the insulation c. creating a thermal mass within the insulation

Answer 37

slowing air movement within the insulation

Question 38

In a cold climate, a vapor retarder should be installed on which sides of a wall? a. side facing conditioned space b. side facing unconditioned space c. both sides of the wall

Answer 38

side facing conditioned space

Question 39

Permeability is the property of a material that allows the passage of: a. water vapor b. heat energy c. liquid water

Answer 39

water vapor

Question 40

Brown colored particles under the flue of an induced draft gas furnace are most likely an indication of which defects? a. flame rollout b. excessively long vent connector c. faulty draft inducer

Answer 40

excessively long vent connector

Question 41

Where would an equalizer pipe be found? a . near steam boiler b. in a common gas vent c. plumbing vent stack

Answer 41

near steam boiler

Question 42

The flame from a properly adjusted oil burner should be what color? a. blue b. yellow c. white

Answer 42

white

Question 43

When should combustion air NOT be drawn from inside a building? a . building has 3 stories above grade b. building built using tight construction methods c. appliance is a direct exhaust type

Answer 43

building built using tight construction methods

Question 44

Best example of heat flow by conductor: a. heat flowing from inside the to outside of a radiator b. heat flowing from floor furnace c. heat flowing from a steam boiler inside pipes

Answer 44

heat flowing from inside the to outside of a radiator

Question 45

Effect of high humidity on an air-conditioning system will be: a. increase in temperature drop b. increase in latent load c. decrease in sensible load

Answer 45

decrease in sensible load

Question 46

Where would an evaporative cooler be most effective? a. Phoenix, AZ b. Nashville, TN c. Miami, FL

Answer 46

Phoenix, AZ

Question 47

Which location can NM cable be installed? a. intermediate metal conduit located under the eaves b. on top of ceiling joists located 6ft from an attic access opening c. in rigid metal conduit buried 12" below grade

Answer 47

on top of ceiling joists located 6ft from an attic access opening

Question 48

How many energized conductors supply 240 volt, 200 amp, single phase electric service? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4

Answer 48

2

Question 49

The grounding electrodes system of a house: a. provides an alternate return path for electricity b. permits electricity to flow within the system c. protects people from electric shock

Answer 49

provides an alternate return path for electricity

Question 50

You see a ceramic tile floor with numerous cracks running through the grout & the tiles. The floor system is constructed using 2x10 floor joists. Which is the most likely cause of this condition? a. defective tiles b. floor joist span too long c. wrong grout used

Answer 50

floor joist span too long

Question 51

Racking is most likely to occur from failure to install: a. wall bracing b. floor joist bridging c. roof collar tiles

Answer 51

wall bracing

Question 52

A notch in a 12ft long 2x10 is located 5ft from the joist end. What is the maximum allowed notch depth? a. 2 in b. 5/8 in c. 11/2 in d. 0 in

Answer 52

0 in

Question 53

A color tie would most likely be found in: a. attic near top plate b. upper part of attic c. basement between floor joists

Answer 53

upper part of attic

Question 54

A 1/2" wide gap exists between the drywall & ceiling. The seller reports that this gap opens in the winter & closed in the summer. What is the most likely cause of this condition? a. truss uplift b. damaged truss bottom chord c. absent grusset plate

Answer 54

truss uplift

Question 55

A subpanel in a detached building has melted insulation on a neutral conductor. What is the most likely cause of the condition? a. circuit breaker is defective b. neutral conductor is loose at the terminal bar

Answer 55

neutral conductor is loose at the terminal bar

Question 56

An interior door rubs the header on the latch side. There are no cracks in the drywall around the door. What is the most likely reason for this to occur? a. top hinge is binding b. door is unpainted on top c. wall has rotated

Answer 56

door is unpainted on top