National Home Inspector Practice Exam

National Home Inspector Practice Exam Which of the following describes partial vapor pressure? A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air. B) Water vapor causes new homes to require house wrap. C) Water vapor is common with forced induction natural gas furnaces. D) Water vapor is an indication of sick house syndrome. Ans- A) Water vapor has a tendency to disperse itself equally in the available air. In order for soffit vents to operate properly, there MUST be: A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation. B) An absence of insect, bee, and bird nests. C) Vents on both ends on the outside. D) Continuous vent strips on the length of the soffit. Ans- A) A clear air channel between the roof boards and the insulation. Home inspectors report receptacles with reversed polarity as potentially hazardous because: A) They contribute to the overheating of the receptacle. B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment. C) Single phase appliance motors will run backwards. D) They trip ground fault circuit interrupter outlets. Ans- B) They increase the shock likelihood at connected equipment. The term "wet vent" refers to a: A) Vent that traps water and therefore stays wet. B) Vent located above the roof line and exposed to rain. C) Vent that runs outside an exterior wall. D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. Ans- D) Waste line that also functions as a vent. EIFS is a siding material that: A) Is used in commercial buildings only. B) Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh. C) Can be installed on top of a modified bitumen membrane. D) Can be installed on top of a masonry surface. Ans- B) Looks like stucco but lacks a wire mesh. The joints on the exterior of the brick chimney should be: A) Concaved. B) Raked. C) Open. D) Closed. Ans- A) Concaved When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 ° F or higher, a ______ should be installed to temper the water. A) Temperature probe B) Mixing probe C) Mixing valve D) Temper valve Ans- C) Mixing valve In a forced air furnace, the burners are used to generate heat in the: A) Heat exchanger. B) Draft diverter. C) Flue. D) Plenum. Ans- A) Heat exchanger. While inspecting a crawl space, you should probe for decay if the _________ is dark in appearance. A) King joist B) Floor joist C) Masonry wall D) Bearing wall Ans- B) Floor joist Which statement BEST describes the action a home inspector should take when a safety issue is found in a home? A) Determine the degree of immediacy, and report to the appropriate parties. B) Explain verbally to the client, but do not include in a written report. C) Repair the problem when possible. D) Shut down the system and call a repair contractor. Ans- A) Determine the degree of immediacy, and report to the appropriate parties. Ivy has grown across the entire exterior brick wall surfaces of a one-family house. The home inspector should report that the ivy: A) Will increase the resale value. B) Will keep the home cooler in the summer. C) Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal. D) Needs additional maintenance and support to remain on the wall surfaces. Ans- C) Could cause damage to the surface and recommend removal. Which of the following is the correct termination where the sloped roof terminates with an EIFS wall? A) Use polyurethane caulking between the gutter and the wall. B) Use silicone caulking between the gutter and the wall. C) Use kick-out flashing into the gutter. D) Use only step flashing that is overlapped three inches. Ans- C) Use kick-out flashing into the gutter. Fireplace flues must extend AT LEAST: A) Three feet above roof penetration and two feet above the highest point within 10 feet. B) Two feet above roof penetration and three feet above the highest point within 10 feet. C) Thirty inches above roof penetration and 24 inches above the highest point with eight feet. D) Three feet above roof penetration and three feet above the highest point within eight feet. Ans- A) Three feet above roof penetration and two feet above the highest point within 10 feet. Damage from ice dams could indicate: A) Over-exposure of shingles or slates. B) Rain gutters with too low an outer lip. C) Insufficient attic insulation. D) Attic vents left open during winter months. Ans- C) Insufficient attic insulation. When evaluating the operation of an AC system during the summer months, the temperature differential between the supply and renew air should typically be: A) 10-15 ° F. B) 15-20 ° F. C) 15-30 ° F. D) 20-25 ° F. Ans- B) 15-20 ° F. An electrical wire that is hanging loose with a bare end is seen in the attic of a home. The homeowner says it is an abandoned circuit and is not being used. The quickest way to check the wire is to: A) Touch the bare end with your fingers. B) Believe the homeowner because he knows his house. C) Use a voltage "sniffer." D) Use an amp meter. Ans- C) Use a voltage "sniffer." Two roof trusses passing above an interior hallway have been cut to install a pull-down attic ladder. There is no cracking or indication of distress in the walls or ceilings. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate action? A) This is not a concern since this is no indication of distress. B) This is beyond the scope of an inspection and does not need to be rep