PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTOR
EXAM NHIE / TREC 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. - ANS -
Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - ANS 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - ANS Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - ANS Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter and
before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
,Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios - ANS 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 - ANS 1 1/4 inches overlap, and
blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - ANS 1" to 2" (1 inch
minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - ANS 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? - ANS Improper installation.
Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - ANS The slate itself. Flashings eventually
wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? - ANS Removing the rust,
priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - ANS Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable
Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? - ANS a platform-framed structure
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
,The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the recommendation?
- ANS Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - ANS To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system. What is most
likely the cause? - ANS A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic? - ANS 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? - ANS Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
ANS Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? - ANS Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or accessible? -
ANS Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - ANS 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles - ANS 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - ANS Above
stairs, staircase tread depth - ANS Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches
if there is no nosing.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
, 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 - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three
stringers
Spiral staircase - ANS 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 - ANS 6' opening -
16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? - ANS 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 - ANS any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining
wall
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
EXAM NHIE / TREC 2025/2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100% PASS
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. - ANS -
Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot - ANS 1/4" per foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed - ANS Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) - ANS Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter and
before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel - ANS 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.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
,Rusted lintels may expand and cause cracks around openings.
Guardrail for decks and patios - ANS 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 - ANS 1 1/4 inches overlap, and
blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? - ANS 1" to 2" (1 inch
minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt - ANS 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? - ANS Improper installation.
Sealing strip or nailing was not done properly.
What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? - ANS The slate itself. Flashings eventually
wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? - ANS Removing the rust,
priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? - ANS Rake edge or edge flashing. A gable
Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? - ANS a platform-framed structure
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
,The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the recommendation?
- ANS Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? - ANS To control the draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system. What is most
likely the cause? - ANS A leak
Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic? - ANS 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? - ANS Score or remove the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
ANS Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? - ANS Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or accessible? -
ANS Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? - ANS 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles - ANS 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? - ANS Above
stairs, staircase tread depth - ANS Tread depth should be a minimum of 10 inches. 11 inches
if there is no nosing.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
, 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 - ANS 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 - ANS 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 - ANS Stairs wider than 36 inches should have at least three
stringers
Spiral staircase - ANS 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 - ANS 6' opening -
16" in front and 8" sides
Over 6' - 20" and 12"
What is a cricket or saddle? - ANS 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 - ANS any type of anchor embedded in the supported soil and tied to the retaining
wall
4 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026
