Professional Home Inspector Exam NHIE / TREC
Questions with correct Answers
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
-Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot
1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed
Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter
and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel
L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as windows and
doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios
A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement siding
1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials?
1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt
All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without special
knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system?
The slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action?
Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge?
Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
,Which construction framing provides fire blocking?
a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation?
Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve?
To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause?
A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
2"
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct
way to place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation?
Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties?
Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system?
Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible?
Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles?
12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles
18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap?
Above
stairs, staircase tread depth
Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projection
Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height
Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width
Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three stringers
Spiral staircase
Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12 inches from the narrow
side.
,Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller than 6 square feet
6' opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle?
A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof around the high side of a chimney or
the transition from one roof area to another
Deadman
any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining wall
Egress window
A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for exit or entry in case of
an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 inches per foot?
2:12 is minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in diameter and shall extend a
minimum of ___ inches into the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry
units.
1/2 and 7 inches
Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ apart/between.
4-12 inches and 6 feet
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which direction?
Up
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet below grade
8'
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the bottom is ___ inches above
the shower pan.
Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
Safety glazing is required where
Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) should be at least _____
finish-width and ___ inches unobstructed in front of the door.
22 inches wide opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
Swale
A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM)
_________ is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors having an outer
sheath of moisture resistant flame-retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
, Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line when AC is in cool mode?
Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the condenser
outside.
Underground feeder (UF)
Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF is Designed for wet locations and
may be buried.
Compressor does what?
Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure gas to send through the condenser.
Condenser does what?
The condenser takes high pressure heated gas from the compressor, and runs the gas
through coils where the fan helps remove heat from the gas, and resulting in a warm,
high pressure liquid to return to the evaporator.
When a heat pump is in heating mode, the condenser acts as?
Reverse roles. In heating mode, The condenser acts as An Evaporator Coil. And the
evaporator acts as a condenser.
What issue would be caused if a dryer exhaust vent terminated to the exterior
directly above the condenser?
Poor HVAC operations. Due to the heat/water and lint expelled from the dryer. Exhaust
Must be at least 3 feet from dryer exhaust ducts.
Crawl space ventilation should be within ___ feet of each corner
3'
At least one vent < or = 3 feet from each corner
Which type of insulation is combustible?
Cellulose (recycled newspaper)
Vermiculite Insulation
Looks like pea gravel. Sometimes contains asbestos if from Libby Montana mine.
Clothes Dryer vent should be installed at least ___ feet from building opening
3
The minimum size water service pipe shall be _____ inch.
3/4 inch
Minimum size of toilet drain piping?
3"
Minimum drain size for shower?
1 1/2 inches (Some standards require 2")
The Texas Real Estate Commission assesses inspectors a fee to fund the Real
Estate
Inspection Recovery Fund based on the
fund balance, which must remain at a required minimum level.
The inspector should ____ and ___ their client's interest.
Protect/Promote
There is no need for inspectors to maintain and increase their level of knowledge
of the field
False
An inspector must complete as part of the plumbing inspection.
Questions with correct Answers
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component.
-Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot
1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed
Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB)
Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter
and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel
L shaped steel installed to support brick veneer above openings such as windows and
doors.
Should bear on 6 inches or greater of the supporting veneer.
Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios
A deck 30" above grade requires a guardrail.
Required if deck is > or = to 30 inches above grade.
Balusters and openings should not exceed 4 inches in diameter.
Rail height must be > or = to 36 inches from deck.
Minimum overlap on vertically installed fiber cement siding
1 1/4 inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials?
1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt
All means of egress (escape), must be operable from the inside without special
knowledge or tools. A keyed lock is a danger.
Fiberglass shingle roof that is 5 years old is losing granular and cupping. Attic
insulation and venting is adequate. What is the most reasonable explanation?
Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system?
The slate itself. Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action?
Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge?
Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
,Which construction framing provides fire blocking?
a platform-framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation?
Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve?
To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system.
What is most likely the cause?
A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic?
2"
When new insulation is placed directly over old in the attic, what is the correct
way to place / handle Kraft paper on new insulation?
Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties?
Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system?
Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible?
Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles?
12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles
18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap?
Above
stairs, staircase tread depth
Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches if there is no nosing.
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Nosing projection
Nosing should project between 3/4th inch and 1 1/4th inch
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Staircase Riser height
Riser height should be 7 3/4th inches maximum
The difference between any two riser heights, treads or nosing in a flight of stairs should
be no more than 3/8ths of an inch
Stair stringers and width
Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three stringers
Spiral staircase
Tread depth should be a minimum of 7 1/2 inches, measured 12 inches from the narrow
side.
,Riser height should be 9 1/2 inches maximum.
Minimum width is 26 inches at / below the handrail
Hearth size requirements for greater than and smaller than 6 square feet
6' opening - 16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle?
A ridge structure designed to divert water on a roof around the high side of a chimney or
the transition from one roof area to another
Deadman
any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining wall
Egress window
A window large enough, as defined by local building codes, for exit or entry in case of
an emergency. Typically required in bedrooms.
Size:
Height above floor:
Which roof covering would be best for a slope of 2 inches per foot?
2:12 is minimum for asphalt. Recommend metal roof.
Foundation anchor bolts shall be at least ___ inch in diameter and shall extend a
minimum of ___ inches into the concrete or grouted cells of concrete masonry
units.
1/2 and 7 inches
Foundation anchors should be ___ from ends and ___ apart/between.
4-12 inches and 6 feet
Floor joists are installed with the crown facing which direction?
Up
Grounding electrode should be a minimum of ___ feet below grade
8'
A window in a shower requires safety glazing if the bottom is ___ inches above
the shower pan.
Less than 60" in any bathing/swimming area
Safety glazing is required where
Panes larger than 9 square feet if all the following are true:
Bottom less than 18" from floor
Top edge over 36" from floor
Walkway within 36" of glazing
The shower opening (or access and egress opening) should be at least _____
finish-width and ___ inches unobstructed in front of the door.
22 inches wide opening, and 24 horizontal inches in front of door
Also, the door should always open outward or OK if it opens both in and out.
Swale
A graded flow path used in open drainage systems.
Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable (NM)
_________ is a factory assembly of two or more insulated conductors having an outer
sheath of moisture resistant flame-retardant, non-metallic material.
Commonly called Romex.
, Should be supported every 4 1/2 feet, and within 1 foot of boxes and terminations.
Should have a nail guard when run closer than 1 1/4 inches from framing members.
What is the Temperature on the large refrigerant line when AC is in cool mode?
Cool. The large (Suction) line should be cool, low pressure, returning to the condenser
outside.
Underground feeder (UF)
Similar to Nonmetallic sheathed cable (NM), but UF is Designed for wet locations and
may be buried.
Compressor does what?
Compresses cool gas to superheated high pressure gas to send through the condenser.
Condenser does what?
The condenser takes high pressure heated gas from the compressor, and runs the gas
through coils where the fan helps remove heat from the gas, and resulting in a warm,
high pressure liquid to return to the evaporator.
When a heat pump is in heating mode, the condenser acts as?
Reverse roles. In heating mode, The condenser acts as An Evaporator Coil. And the
evaporator acts as a condenser.
What issue would be caused if a dryer exhaust vent terminated to the exterior
directly above the condenser?
Poor HVAC operations. Due to the heat/water and lint expelled from the dryer. Exhaust
Must be at least 3 feet from dryer exhaust ducts.
Crawl space ventilation should be within ___ feet of each corner
3'
At least one vent < or = 3 feet from each corner
Which type of insulation is combustible?
Cellulose (recycled newspaper)
Vermiculite Insulation
Looks like pea gravel. Sometimes contains asbestos if from Libby Montana mine.
Clothes Dryer vent should be installed at least ___ feet from building opening
3
The minimum size water service pipe shall be _____ inch.
3/4 inch
Minimum size of toilet drain piping?
3"
Minimum drain size for shower?
1 1/2 inches (Some standards require 2")
The Texas Real Estate Commission assesses inspectors a fee to fund the Real
Estate
Inspection Recovery Fund based on the
fund balance, which must remain at a required minimum level.
The inspector should ____ and ___ their client's interest.
Protect/Promote
There is no need for inspectors to maintain and increase their level of knowledge
of the field
False
An inspector must complete as part of the plumbing inspection.
