Small horizontal cracks approximately every 3 feet in a stucco wall are
a. Normal
b. Due to poor overlap of lath ends
c. Due to stress
d. Due to shrinkage
Due to poor overlap of lath ends
Garage door fire rating
a. 1 hour
b. 20 minutes
c. 30 minutes
d. 45 minutes
1 hour
Downspout can go into foundation drain
True
False
True
Downspout extensions should extend how far from house
a. 3 feet
b. 6 feet
c. 2 feet
d. 4 feet
6 feet
A post-tension monolithic slab on grade foundation should not have
a. Aggregate
b. Cables
c. Greased sleeves
d. Exposed cable ends
Exposed cable ends
A single wall gas flue 2” from wood would be
a. A safety hazard
b. Monitor
c. Contact an expert
d. Correct
A safety hazard
Each plumbing vent pipe or stack shall extend through its flashing and shall terminate vertically not less than
a. 12 inches above the roof line
b. 6 inches above the roof line
c. No requirement
d. 6 feet above the roof line
6 inches above the roof line
Double-tapping a circuit breaker is allowed when
a. Never
b. In 15 amp circuits only
c. Panel space is limited
d. Breaker is designed for double-tapping
e. Protected by a fuse
Breaker is designed for double-tapping
Grounding rods must be driven into the ground at least
a. 6 feet
b. 8 feet
c. 9.5 feet
d. As far as possible
8 feet
A plug fuse rated at 30 amps is color coded
a. Blue
b. Green, not all color coded any longer
c. Red
d. Black
Green, not all color coded any longer
A hydronic or forced (hot water) boiler system is
a. An open system subject to atmospheric pressure
b. Closed to the atmosphere and under pressure
c. Closed system in which only the supply is under pressure
d. An antiquated way of heating residential structures
Closed to the atmosphere and under pressure
In a hydronic boiler system, the normal operating pressure is
a. 30-40 psi
b. 12-15 psi
c. 3-5 psi
d. 22-25 psi
12-15 psi
The Hartford Loop in a steam system
a. Automatically maintains the water pressure
b. Is an equalizer that insures that pressures are equal above and below the water line
c. Precludes siphon action if the unit develops a leak
d. All of the above
Precludes siphon action if the unit develops a leak
The combustion chamber in a gun style burner should be observed for
a. Condition of the firebrick
b. Condition of the metal shields
c. Burn through or warping at the rear of the unit
d. All of the above
All of the above
In most heat pumps, the “auxiliary heat”
a. Augments the normal operation of the unit in extremely cold weather
b. Is often called supplemental heat
c. Is sometimes called emergency heat
d. All of the above
All of the above
In a typical heat pump operating in the heat mode, the temperature differential at the heat exchanger (supply/return air) should be about
a. 25-30 degrees F
b. 5-7 degrees F
c. 15 degrees F
d. 20-22 degrees F
25-30 degrees F
The discharge pipe extending from a water heater pressure relief valve
a. Must be the same diameter as the valve
b. Must discharge within 6 inches of the floor
c. Must be galvanized, copper, or CPVC
d. All of the above
All of the above
Shower pan leaks are
a. Of little importance
b. Uncommon
c. Not looked for because they are hard to detect
d. All shower pans should be checked and finding reported
All shower pans should be checked and finding reported
The interior plumbing distribution pipes should be at least
a. 1/4 inch
b. 1/2 inch
c. 3/4 inch
d. 3/8 inch
1/2 inch
When you find the insulation on incoming electrical service cables frayed or chewed, your comments should be
a. Replace the service entrance cable
b. It belongs to the electric company and is not part of a home inspection
c. Cover it with 2-3 layers of electrical take, insuring you start at the bottom of the cable and work upward for all layers
d. Call the electric company or licensed electrician
Call the electric company or licensed electrician
Wall cracks should be investigated to determine if structural rot, structural cracking, foundation settlement or pulled fastenings have occurred if the crack is wider than
a. 1/8 inch
b. 1/4 inch
c. 3/8 inch
d. 1/2 inch
1/4 inch
Plaster cracks over a chimney breast are usually caused by
a. Changing materials
b. Settlement of the chimney
c. Heat
d. Changing of humidity from front to back
Settlement of the chimney
When plaster cracks appear over gypsum lath either 2 or 4 feet apart, this is normally
a. Not serious
b. The last sign before the wall or ceilings fall
c. Unusually heavy storage in attics or 2nd floors
d. A sign of poor workmanship
Not serious
Defects most likely found in drywall can normally be associated with
a. Moisture
b. Too few nails
c. Improper framing or use of damp wood
d. Poor installation
e. All of the above
All of the above
The three purposes of a window are
a. Light, ventilation and appearance
b. Ventilation, light and emergency entrance
c. Light, ventilation and scenery from the outside
d. Light, ventilation and exit
Light, ventilation and exit
When installing insulation in rafters, the minimum gap between the sheathing and insulation is
a. 1 inch
b. 2.5 inches
c. 1.5 inches
d. 2 inches
e. No minimum gap required
1 inch
If wood siding is cracking, bulging or sagging, you should suspect
a. A lack of routine maintenance
b. Structural deficiencies in the framing
c. Rot and/or insect infestation
d. Improper installation
Structural deficiencies in the framing
Decks should be checked for
a. Adequate support
b. Means of attachment to the house
c. Condition of floor planking
d. Protective railings
e. All of the above
All of the above
Siding should be kept at least
a. 4 inches from soil contact
b. 6 inches from soil contact
c. 12 inches from soil contact
d. No minimum distance if siding is treated
6 inches from soil contact
Which areas of a house require ventilation
a. Attic, bath, kitchen
b. Kitchen, garage, bathroom
c. Attic, garage, bathroom
d. Dining room, boiler room, basement
Attic, bath, kitchen
A person, not your client, is looking for a starter home. He would like you to tell him if a home was not purchased because of a bad inspection report. You should tell him
a. OK, if you inspect the home for a fee
b. Will ask seller if it’s OK
c. Cannot do it
d. The contents of an inspection report are confidential
The contents of an inspection report are confidential
A modern high efficiency gas furnace should use outside air supply only
True
False
True
What parts are located inside and outside of an A/C system
a. Inside – reversing valve and Outside – reversing valve
b. Inside – compressor and Outside – evaporator coil
c. Inside – evaporator coil and Outside – condenser/compressor
d. Inside – condenser/compressor and Outside – evaporator coil
Inside – evaporator coil and Outside – condenser/compressor
What causes bowing of the chimney above the roof in an older house
a. Settling
b. Sun
c. Concrete expansion on shady side
d. Moss
Concrete expansion on shady side
To whom can you give your report
a. Client and Realtor
b. Client and his attorney
c. Client and whomever he says is OK
d. Broker
Client and whomever he says is OK
No trap in a basement drain. You should tell client
a. Say it’s OK because it’s in the basement
b. Recommend it be repaired
c. Say germs will grow
d. It’s OK because that is the way it was built
Recommend it be repaired
On a clay tile roof, what is the principle waterproofing
a. Tar paper (underlayment)
b. Mortar at ridge and valleys
c. Mortar between edges
d. Battens
Tar paper (underlayment)
What is the best ventilation in winter
a. Ridge and soffit
b. Gable and turbine
c. Louvered gable
d. O’Hagen vents
Ridge and soffit
In an old house, an atmospheric (open) tank is above the 2nd floor. What was it probably there for
a. Overflow for gravity boiler
b. Well pressure control
c. Water heater pressure control
d. None of the above
Overflow for gravity boiler
The most likely reason for bulging vinyl siding is
a. Moisture behind vinyl
b. Moisture in vinyl
c. Improper nailing
d. Improper painting
Improper nailing
When wood siding is applied, what is the proper construction technique
a. Double nail under the laps
b. Nail above overlap, never through the under siding
c. End butt joints close together
d. Use scarf joints at corners
Nail above overlap, never through the under siding
What do you tell a client when a house has a 30-year-old asbestos cement roof that is in marginal condition
a. Roof will need replacing within 5 years
b. Tear-off will be costly
c. Unlikely to find replacement shingles if damaged
d. All of the above
