NHIE EXAM PREP: MASTER THE NATIONAL HOME
INSPECTOR EXAMINATION WITH COMPLETE 470+ EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict
whether there will be further settlement?
Choices:
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
Correct Answer: (c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
Explanation: A single inspection provides only a snapshot in time. Predicting
future settlement requires monitoring over time or engineering analysis.
2. You typically identify a Freon leak:
Choices:
(a) As an oil stain.
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines.
Correct Answer: (a) As an oil stain.
Explanation: Refrigerant systems contain oil that circulates with the refrigerant. A
leak often leaves an oily residue at the escape point.
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components
EXCEPT:
Choices:
,(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
Correct Answer: (b) Bridging.
Explanation: Bridging (cross-bracing) is installed between floor joists, not within
wall assemblies. Studs, sheathing, and siding are standard wall components.
4. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft
EXCEPT:
Choices:
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
Correct Answer: (d) Resloping the cap.
Explanation: Resloping the cap affects water shedding, not draft. Draft inducers,
rain caps (some designs), and height extension can improve draft.
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that:
Choices:
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks elsewhere in
the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation walls.
Correct Answer: (c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
Explanation: Shrinkage cracks result from concrete drying and contracting, not
from vertical shear forces. Shear causes different crack patterns.
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply
system?
Choices:
(a) Foot valve
,(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
Correct Answer: (c) Pressure regulator.
Explanation: Pressure regulators are used on municipal systems with high
incoming pressure. Private well systems use a pressure switch and tank, but
typically not a regulator.
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many
fans?
Choices:
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
Correct Answer: (c) Two.
Explanation: One fan is in the indoor air handler to move air across the evaporator
coil, and one fan is in the outdoor condenser unit to move air across the
condenser coil.
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because
they may:
Choices:
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
Correct Answer: (c) Overheat.
Explanation: Trapped heat between the insulated door and the storm door can
damage the door components or cause seal failure.
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged
into it. Your tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How
could you improve this inspection process?
, Choices:
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
Correct Answer: (c) Unplug the washing machine.
Explanation: A device plugged into the outlet can create false readings or mask
certain issues. Unplugging ensures the tester reads only the outlet's condition.
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force:
Choices:
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside
face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ inch in width.
Correct Answer: (b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be
wider on the inside face.
Explanation: Horizontal forces pushing the wall inward cause the wall to bow,
making cracks wider on the concave (inside) face.
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are:
Choices:
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
Correct Answer: (b) A sign of poor installation.
Explanation: Properly installed steep-slope roofing (shingles, slate, tile) uses
concealed fasteners. Exposed fasteners indicate incorrect installation or materials.
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade construction techniques EXCEPT:
Choices:
(a) Monolithic slab.
INSPECTOR EXAMINATION WITH COMPLETE 470+ EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH 100% VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED
EXPLANATIONS
1. Where you have found evidence of footing settlement, how can you predict
whether there will be further settlement?
Choices:
(a) You can count the number of planes of movement.
(b) You can determine the type of foundation material.
(c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
(d) You can determine the depth of the footing.
Correct Answer: (c) You cannot predict settlement from a single inspection.
Explanation: A single inspection provides only a snapshot in time. Predicting
future settlement requires monitoring over time or engineering analysis.
2. You typically identify a Freon leak:
Choices:
(a) As an oil stain.
(b) As refrigerant coming out of the Freon line in the form of a cold mist.
(c) By the strong odor.
(d) By looking for evidence of ice along the refrigerant lines.
Correct Answer: (a) As an oil stain.
Explanation: Refrigerant systems contain oil that circulates with the refrigerant. A
leak often leaves an oily residue at the escape point.
3. Typical wood frame wall assemblies include all of the following components
EXCEPT:
Choices:
,(a) Studs
(b) Bridging
(c) Sheathing
(d) Siding
Correct Answer: (b) Bridging.
Explanation: Bridging (cross-bracing) is installed between floor joists, not within
wall assemblies. Studs, sheathing, and siding are standard wall components.
4. All of the following are common approaches to improving chimney draft
EXCEPT:
Choices:
(a) Adding a draft inducer fan.
(b) Adding a rain cap.
(c) Extending the chimney upward.
(d) Resloping the cap.
Correct Answer: (d) Resloping the cap.
Explanation: Resloping the cap affects water shedding, not draft. Draft inducers,
rain caps (some designs), and height extension can improve draft.
5. All of the following statements are true of shrinkage cracks EXCEPT that:
Choices:
(a) Shrinkage cracks do not typically go into the footings.
(b) Shrinkage cracks do not necessarily have corresponding cracks elsewhere in
the building.
(c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
(d) Shrinkage cracks are common with poured concrete foundation walls.
Correct Answer: (c) Vertical shear is associated with shrinkage cracks.
Explanation: Shrinkage cracks result from concrete drying and contracting, not
from vertical shear forces. Shear causes different crack patterns.
6. Which of the following is NOT typically a component of a private water supply
system?
Choices:
(a) Foot valve
,(b) Pump
(c) Pressure regulator
(d) Pressure tank
Correct Answer: (c) Pressure regulator.
Explanation: Pressure regulators are used on municipal systems with high
incoming pressure. Private well systems use a pressure switch and tank, but
typically not a regulator.
7. Split-system, air-cooled, central air-conditioning systems have how many
fans?
Choices:
(a) None
(b) One
(c) Two
(d) Four
Correct Answer: (c) Two.
Explanation: One fan is in the indoor air handler to move air across the evaporator
coil, and one fan is in the outdoor condenser unit to move air across the
condenser coil.
8. Insulated metal exterior doors with storm doors should be avoided because
they may:
Choices:
(a) Increase heat loss.
(b) Increase air leakage.
(c) Overheat.
(d) Have poor architectural appeal.
Correct Answer: (c) Overheat.
Explanation: Trapped heat between the insulated door and the storm door can
damage the door components or cause seal failure.
9. You plug your circuit tester into an outlet that has a washing machine plugged
into it. Your tester shows that the outlet is properly wired and grounded. How
could you improve this inspection process?
, Choices:
(a) Use a voltage tester
(b) Use a circuit tester with a GFI test button
(c) Unplug the washing machine
(d) Turn the washing machine on before doing your test.
Correct Answer: (c) Unplug the washing machine.
Explanation: A device plugged into the outlet can create false readings or mask
certain issues. Unplugging ensures the tester reads only the outlet's condition.
10. Given a foundation wall that is cracked due to horizontal force:
Choices:
(a) You will not be able to determine whether the wall has also moved inward.
(b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be wider on the inside
face.
(c) If the wall has moved inward, cracks will typically be wider on the outside face.
(d) You should not be concerned unless the crack is at least ¼ inch in width.
Correct Answer: (b) If the wall has moved inward, the cracks would typically be
wider on the inside face.
Explanation: Horizontal forces pushing the wall inward cause the wall to bow,
making cracks wider on the concave (inside) face.
11. On most steep roofs, exposed fasteners are:
Choices:
(a) Used for anchorage against wind.
(b) A sign of poor installation.
(c) A sign of good installation.
(d) Used to prevent ice dams.
Correct Answer: (b) A sign of poor installation.
Explanation: Properly installed steep-slope roofing (shingles, slate, tile) uses
concealed fasteners. Exposed fasteners indicate incorrect installation or materials.
12. All of the following are slab-on-grade construction techniques EXCEPT:
Choices:
(a) Monolithic slab.
