Professional Home Inspector Exam NHIE
/ TREC EXAM NEWEST 2026 WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. -
CORRECTANSWER -Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot -CORRECTANSWER 1/4" per
foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed -CORRECTANSWER Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) -CORRECTANSWER Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter
and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 1 1/4
inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? -
CORRECTANSWER 1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done
properly.
,What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? -CORRECTANSWER The slate itself.
Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? -CORRECTANSWER
Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? -CORRECTANSWER Rake edge or
edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? -CORRECTANSWER a platform-
framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? -CORRECTANSWER Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? -CORRECTANSWER To control the
draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system. What is
most likely the cause? -CORRECTANSWER A leak
, Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic? -
CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER Score or remove
the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
CORRECTANSWER Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? -CORRECTANSWER
Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? -CORRECTANSWER Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? -CORRECTANSWER 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles -
CORRECTANSWER 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? -CORRECTANSWER
Above
/ TREC EXAM NEWEST 2026 WITH
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS
The inspector is not required to determine ____ ___ of any system or component. -
CORRECTANSWER -Years of age
-Life expectancy
-Make model
Horizontal waste pipe should slope ____ inch per foot -CORRECTANSWER 1/4" per
foot if < 3 inch pipe.
1/8" per foot if > or = to 3 inch pipe
Drip screed -CORRECTANSWER Also called weep screed.
Used at the base/bottom of stucco walls to release moisture.
Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) -CORRECTANSWER Used for Backflow Prevention.
Lawn Irrigation systems: installed vertically 6 to 12 inches above highest outlet/emitter
and before the irrigation system valves.
Lintel -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 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 -CORRECTANSWER 1 1/4
inches overlap, and blind nailing recommended
Distance required between wall cladding and roof covering materials? -
CORRECTANSWER 1" to 2" (1 inch minimum, some local code is 2")
What is the concern with a Double sided key lock deadbolt -CORRECTANSWER 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? -
CORRECTANSWER Improper installation. Sealing strip or nailing was not done
properly.
,What is the last part to fail in a slate roof system? -CORRECTANSWER The slate itself.
Flashings eventually wear out, but long before the slate.
Metal roof has minor rust in spots. What is the corrective action? -CORRECTANSWER
Removing the rust, priming and painting.
What type of flashing is found on a gable edge? -CORRECTANSWER Rake edge or
edge flashing. A gable Edge is called a rake.
Which construction framing provides fire blocking? -CORRECTANSWER a platform-
framed structure
The Bottom chords of trusses were cut to fit other construction. What is the
recommendation? -CORRECTANSWER Recommend a structural engineer .
What purpose does a barometric damper serve? -CORRECTANSWER To control the
draft
Water is dripping from discharge piping coming from a hydronic heating system. What is
most likely the cause? -CORRECTANSWER A leak
, Masonry Chimney is required to be _____ inches from wood framing in the attic? -
CORRECTANSWER 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? -CORRECTANSWER Score or remove
the vapor paper
What two structural components would be tied together with hurricane ties? -
CORRECTANSWER Truss/rafter to the top of walls
What type of piping is used for a pool circulation system? -CORRECTANSWER
Schedule 40 PVC
Does the main water supply shutoff have to be above grade, below grade, or
accessible? -CORRECTANSWER Accessible ?
Distance between interior electrical receptacles? -CORRECTANSWER 12'
A wood burning furnace should be how far away from combustibles -
CORRECTANSWER 18"
Dishwasher drain line is installed where in reference to the trap? -CORRECTANSWER
Above
