1 | Page
Professional Home Inspector Exam
NHIE / TREC Questions with Correct
Answers latest
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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
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 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:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
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
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
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.
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
Professional Home Inspector Exam
NHIE / TREC Questions with Correct
Answers latest
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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
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 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:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
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
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
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.
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
© 2025 All rights reserved
