Structure Home Inspector Exam
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
what is the function of a footing? A foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Footings
transfer the live and dead loads of the building to the soil over a large enough area
so that neither the soil nor the building will move. In areas where frost occurs,
footings prevent frost from moving the building.
Foundations transfer loads from the building to the footings. Foundations may
also act as retaining walls, resisting lateral soil pressure, for example.
list the three common foundation configurations and footing types - CORRECT
ANSWER-common Foundation configurations include basements, crawl spaces,
and slab-on-grade. Common foundation types includes spread footings, pad
footings, piles, and peers.
what is the difference between a strip footing and a pad footing and where would
each be used? - CORRECT ANSWER-A strip footing or spread footing is used
under a foundation wall. A pad footing is used under a column. Pad footings
distribute concentrated loads. Strip footings handle more evenly distributed loads.
,there are several different materials that have Foundation might be made of. List as
many as you can. - CORRECT ANSWER-Foundation materials include concrete,
concrete block, cinder block, brick, clay tile, Stone, and wood.
why is it critical to document how the crawl space was inspected? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Your client has to understand the limitations of your inspection. Crawl
spaces can be Troublesome. If you couldn't get a good look, your client should
understand that there is a greater risk of unforeseen problems.
explain the differences between a live load and a dead load. Give examples. -
CORRECT ANSWER-live loads, such as people, wind, and snow, very. Dead
loads such as buildings, are relatively fixed
What is the difference between a pilaster and a pier? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
pilaster is a thickening of a foundation wall to accommodate the concentrated load
of a beam or column. A pier is a stand-alone structural member that can be
thought of as a column sunk into the ground.
When a foundation is supported on piles, are the piles typically visible for
inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-No.
Name four causes of cracks in foundation walls. - CORRECT ANSWER-1.
shrinkage
2. differential settling
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, 3. heaving
4. horizontal forces
explain the difference between uniform settlement and differential settlement. -
CORRECT ANSWER-In uniform settlement, the entire house moves and no
cracking develops. With differential settlement, one part of the house moves
relative to another. This typically results and cracking.
what is a shrinkage crack and what causes it? - CORRECT ANSWER-Shrinkage
cracks are typically caused by a natural curing of concrete.
describe a typical shrinkage crack. - CORRECT ANSWER-Rarely more than 1/8
of an inch wide and typically do not involve displacement of the concrete on either
side of the crack. Usually show up during the first year. Do not extend through the
footings or up into the structure above. Shrinkage cracks often occur at stress
points such as window openings.
what is the main implication of a shrinkage crack? - CORRECT ANSWER-May be
leakage but not structural problems.
if you identify a foundation crack, is it possible to determine the rate of movement
at the time of the inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-No
Is it a good idea to inspect the neighborhood as you are arriving at an inspection.
What kinds of things should you look for and how can they help you in your
inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-look for structural problems in other homes
Questions and Answers 100% Pass
what is the function of a footing? A foundation? - CORRECT ANSWER-Footings
transfer the live and dead loads of the building to the soil over a large enough area
so that neither the soil nor the building will move. In areas where frost occurs,
footings prevent frost from moving the building.
Foundations transfer loads from the building to the footings. Foundations may
also act as retaining walls, resisting lateral soil pressure, for example.
list the three common foundation configurations and footing types - CORRECT
ANSWER-common Foundation configurations include basements, crawl spaces,
and slab-on-grade. Common foundation types includes spread footings, pad
footings, piles, and peers.
what is the difference between a strip footing and a pad footing and where would
each be used? - CORRECT ANSWER-A strip footing or spread footing is used
under a foundation wall. A pad footing is used under a column. Pad footings
distribute concentrated loads. Strip footings handle more evenly distributed loads.
,there are several different materials that have Foundation might be made of. List as
many as you can. - CORRECT ANSWER-Foundation materials include concrete,
concrete block, cinder block, brick, clay tile, Stone, and wood.
why is it critical to document how the crawl space was inspected? - CORRECT
ANSWER-Your client has to understand the limitations of your inspection. Crawl
spaces can be Troublesome. If you couldn't get a good look, your client should
understand that there is a greater risk of unforeseen problems.
explain the differences between a live load and a dead load. Give examples. -
CORRECT ANSWER-live loads, such as people, wind, and snow, very. Dead
loads such as buildings, are relatively fixed
What is the difference between a pilaster and a pier? - CORRECT ANSWER-A
pilaster is a thickening of a foundation wall to accommodate the concentrated load
of a beam or column. A pier is a stand-alone structural member that can be
thought of as a column sunk into the ground.
When a foundation is supported on piles, are the piles typically visible for
inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-No.
Name four causes of cracks in foundation walls. - CORRECT ANSWER-1.
shrinkage
2. differential settling
COPYRIGHT ©️ 2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, 3. heaving
4. horizontal forces
explain the difference between uniform settlement and differential settlement. -
CORRECT ANSWER-In uniform settlement, the entire house moves and no
cracking develops. With differential settlement, one part of the house moves
relative to another. This typically results and cracking.
what is a shrinkage crack and what causes it? - CORRECT ANSWER-Shrinkage
cracks are typically caused by a natural curing of concrete.
describe a typical shrinkage crack. - CORRECT ANSWER-Rarely more than 1/8
of an inch wide and typically do not involve displacement of the concrete on either
side of the crack. Usually show up during the first year. Do not extend through the
footings or up into the structure above. Shrinkage cracks often occur at stress
points such as window openings.
what is the main implication of a shrinkage crack? - CORRECT ANSWER-May be
leakage but not structural problems.
if you identify a foundation crack, is it possible to determine the rate of movement
at the time of the inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-No
Is it a good idea to inspect the neighborhood as you are arriving at an inspection.
What kinds of things should you look for and how can they help you in your
inspection? - CORRECT ANSWER-look for structural problems in other homes
