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FLORIDA HOME INSPECTOR EXAM, Exams of Advanced Education

University of WitwatersrandAdvanced Education

FLORIDA HOME INSPECTOR EXAM REVIEW

Typology: Exams

2024/2025

Available from 11/20/2024

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FLORIDA HOME INSPECTOR EXAM
Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box or service
panel. True or False? - True
The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of the service. -
True
Is the service drop overhead or underground? - Overhead
Are service laterals overhead or underground? - Underground
The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False? - False
The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service
entrance conductors. True or False? - False
How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop? - 3
What would 4 wires mean? - 3-phase electricity
What would 2 wires usually mean? - 120 volt service
List 7 common problems with service drops. - 1. Overhead wires too low.
2. Damaged or frayed wires.
3. Trees or vines interfering with wires.
4. Wires too close to doors or windows.
5. Wires not well-secured to the house.
6. Poor connection between service drop and service entrance.
7. Inadequate clearance from roofs.
List clearances above ground, swimming pools, and roofs. - above roadway--18 ft.
above driveway--12 ft.
above flat roof--8 to 10 ft.
above sloped roof--18 inches
away from water in swimming pool--22.5 ft
3 ft. above sloped roof with pitch > 4 in 12
above walkway--10 ft.
The service entrance conductors run from the _________ to the ___________. - service
drop to service box
All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or False? - False
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FLORIDA HOME INSPECTOR EXAM

Service entrace conductors run from the service drop to the service box or service panel. True or False? - True The service size is determined by the amperage and the voltage ratings of the service. - True Is the service drop overhead or underground? - Overhead Are service laterals overhead or underground? - Underground The drip loop is typically part of the service drop. True or False? - False The wire size for the service drop must be the same as the wire size for the service entrance conductors. True or False? - False How many wires would you typically find in a 240-volt service drop? - 3 What would 4 wires mean? - 3-phase electricity What would 2 wires usually mean? - 120 volt service List 7 common problems with service drops. - 1. Overhead wires too low.

  1. Damaged or frayed wires.
  2. Trees or vines interfering with wires.
  3. Wires too close to doors or windows.
  4. Wires not well-secured to the house.
  5. Poor connection between service drop and service entrance.
  6. Inadequate clearance from roofs. List clearances above ground, swimming pools, and roofs. - above roadway--18 ft. above driveway--12 ft. above flat roof--8 to 10 ft. above sloped roof--18 inches away from water in swimming pool--22.5 ft 3 ft. above sloped roof with pitch > 4 in 12 above walkway--10 ft. The service entrance conductors run from the _________ to the ___________. - service drop to service box All service entrance conductors must be in conduit. True or False? - False

All service entrance conductors must be attached above roof level. True or False? - False The drip loop should be as close to the roof as possible. True or False? - False List 10 common problems with service entrance conductors. - 1. No drip loop

  1. No mast head
  2. Mast head not weather tight.
  3. Mast or conduit bent.
  4. Mast or conduit rusted.
  5. Mast rotted (if wood).
  6. Mast conduit or cable not well secured.
  7. Mast conduit or cable not weather tight.
  8. Conduit or cable not well sealed at house/wall penetration.
  9. Cable frayed, damaged, or covered by siding. List 4 common areas of water penetration into service entrances. - 1. conduit joints
  10. mast head
  11. roof flashing
  12. meter base
  13. house entry List 2 functions of the drip loop. - 1. Prevents water entry into the conduit or service entrance conductors.
  14. Shows that the service drop wires are not straining the splices. Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have _________ volts available. - 240 Roughly 999 out of 1000 houses have __________ service entrance wires. - 3 Load calculations are part of a home inspection. - False Implications of an undersized service include: a. shock hazard b. fire hazard c. shock and fire hazard d. melting insulation e. nuisance tripping of the main fuses and breakers - e. What is the largest single-phase service that you are likely to find in a home? - 400 amps What size copper wire would you expect to find on the service entrance for: a. 60-amp service b. 100-amp service c. 200-amp service - a. 6 gauge
  1. obsolete box
  2. exterior box not weather-tight
  3. box not rated for aluminum The functions of earth grounding systems include: - 1. Dissipate electricity from lightning.
  4. Avoid static electricity buildup. The grounding electrode conductor may also be called __________. - the ground wire You are allowed to ground to the gas piping. True or False? - False The grounding systems are connected to the house neutral at the ___________. - Service box From the point where the ground and neutral wires connect, there are 2 paths to ground. What are they? - Through the neutral service wire or through the grounding electrode conductor to water pipes or ground rods. List 5 destinations where ground wires can terminate. - 1. metal water pipes
  5. metal rods driven into the ground
  6. wires buried in the footings (UFER ground)
  7. buried grounding plates or rings
  8. frame of metal buildings
  9. metal well casings List common problems found with grounding systems. - 1. no ground
  10. ground wire attached to plastic pipe
  11. ground wire after meter and valves with no jumper.
  12. spliced ground wire
  13. poor connection
  14. ground connection not accessible
  15. ground rod cut off
  16. corroded ground rod
  17. undersized ground wire
  18. neutral bonded to ground wire after service box
  19. neutral not bonded to ground wire at service box
  20. service box not grounded to ground wire
  21. no ground in sub-panel feeder wires Distribution panels are also called: (6) - service panels; panelboards; auxiliary panels; sub panels; fuse boxes; fuse panels; breaker panels Wires run directly from the service box to the branch circuits. True or False - False

What is the advantage of a 240 volt circuit? - More electricity can flow at lower amp ratings What size copper wires are adequately protected by: a. 15 amp breaker b. 20 amp breaker c. 30 amp breaker d. 40 amp breaker - a. 14 gauge b. 12 gauge c. 10 gauge d. 8 gauge What size wire is found on most general purpose outlets for lights and receptacles? - 14 gauge Which of the following is a safety concern: a. a fuse that is too small. b. a fuse that is too big - a fuse that is too big Subpanels must be immediately adjacent to the main panel. True or False? - False Typical distribution panels have 60 circuits. True or False? - False Do we normally shut off the power when looking at the electrical system in the house? Why or why not? - No, it would be a significant inconvenience to the occupant. List 14 conditions that may be found in all panels. - 1. obsolete/fused neutrals

  1. damaged panel or components
  2. loose or missing door
  3. openings in panel
  4. panel too small
  5. overheating
  6. rust or water in panel
  7. circuits not labeled
  8. panel crowded
  9. poor access
  10. upside down
  11. not suitable for aluminum wiring
  12. poor location
  13. exterior panel not weather tight Explain why fused neutrals are a bad idea. - Only the fuse on the neutral side blows. The circuit may not work, but there may be voltage throughout the entire circuit. What is the implication of a panel that is too small for the service? - The panel may overheat

What is the difference between insulation and sheathing? - Insulation is around individual wires; sheathing forms the cables by wrapping around the insulated wires. The most common wire size for branch household circuits is: - 14 gauge What are the issues with running wire through steel studs? - Wires can be damaged by sharp edges on the steel studs. Wires passing through holes should be protected by grommets. Wires running parallel to studs should stand off the studs. List 5 common branch circuit wire problems. - 1. damaged

  1. not well secured
  2. loose connections
  3. open splices
  4. wires too close to ducts, pipes, vents, chimneys, flues
  5. wires too close to studs or joists
  6. wires run through steel studs w/o protection
  7. exposed wires on walls or ceilings
  8. exposed wires in attic
  9. cable used outdoors
  10. buried cable not rated for buried use
  11. household wire used as extension cord
  12. undersized wire
  13. abandoned wire Give 4 examples of damaged wire. - 1. cut or pinched
  14. chewed on by animals
  15. burned wire
  16. brittle or cracked insulation List 3 methods for securing wire ends. - 1. terminal screws
  17. push-in connectors
  18. solderless connectors What is meant by "open splice"? - a connection that is not made inside a junction box Wire should be _____ inches away from the edge of studs. - one and a quarter inches A grommet is ____________. - a fitting that protects a cable from the sharp edges of steel studs Wires should not be run on wall surfaces without ___________. - mechanical protection What is the problem with running wire across the top of the attic ceiling joists? - they are not visible and may be stepped on Abandoned wire should be ____________. - removed

Describe how knob and tube wiring is visibly different from modern cable. - 1. The black and white wires are separate and run in pairs.

  1. Ceramic tubes protect the wire as it runs through joists or studs.
  2. Ceramic knobs are used where wire changes direction. Does knob and tube wiring have a ground wire associated with it? - No List 4 common problems with knob and tube wiring. - 1. Connections not in boxes
  3. brittle wire, insulation or sheathing
  4. wire buried in insulation
  5. fused neutrals List 3 common problems found with aluminum wiring. - 1. connectors not compatible with aluminum
  6. non anti-oxidant grease on stranded wires
  7. overheating How would you identify aluminum wiring? - The conductor is silver colored. The sheathing usually has the word ALUMINUM, ALUM, or AL. When was it used? - from the mid 1960's to the late 1970's. What caused the problem? List at least 3 things. - 1. tends to creep out from under terminal screws
  8. forms corrosion that is an electrical hazard
  9. is softer than copper and easy to damage
  10. some of the early material was of low quality and prone to breaking. Where is the anti-oxidant grease typically used? - on stranded aluminum wires List 12 common lighting problems found in houses. - 1. damaged or loose
  11. overheating
  12. poor stairway lighting
  13. conventional lights used in wet areas
  14. improper recessed lights
  15. improper closet lighting
  16. isolating links needed on pull chains How are lights tested? - turn them on and off by the switches Why should heat lamps not be located over doors? - a towel thrown over the door can be ignited by the heat lamp List 14 common receptacle problems. - ...
  1. plywood, hardboard, and OSB
  2. fiber-cement siding List 6 common problems that are found on all types of wall systems. - 1. water penetration
  3. too close to ground
  4. too close to roof surface at the bottom of the siding
  5. planters and gardens against the wall.
  6. vines List 7 common problems with masonry walls. - 1. efflorescence
  7. spalling
  8. cracking
  9. mortar deterioration
  10. missing weep holes and flashings
  11. mechanical damage
  12. bowing walls Describe efflorescence. What is it? - Whitish powdery salt deposit. Water dissolves the salts from the masonry or mortar and then deposits them on the surface as crystals when evaporating. Expanding, rusting steel lintels over windows and doors often cause cracks in what direction in masonry walls? - Horizontal cracks. Stucco is made up of ___________, __________, and ___________. - cement, aggregate, and water What is the problem with having aluminum in contact with stucco? - It oxidizes (deteriorates) List 3 functions of weep screed. - 1. provide a finishing edge
  13. allow drainage
  14. prevent water from being drawn up into wall List 5 common problems with conventional stucco. - 1. cracks, crumbling, loose or bulging
  15. incompatible flashing
  16. mechanical damage
  17. rusted lath or trim
  18. no drip screed What is the problem that people are experiencing with EIFS? - Water is getting into the wall system at penetrations and causing structural damage.

What is a kickout? - A flashing used where a wall extends beyond a roof, to shed roof water away from the stucco. List 3 causes of problems that are unique to EIFS compared to conventional stucco. - 1. lack of building paper

  1. no drainage plane
  2. poor drying potential List 6 factors that may suggest concealed problems with an EIFS application. - 1. high wind exposure
  3. high rainfall area
  4. small or no overhang
  5. lots of penetrations
  6. attention to detail at openings is poor
  7. horizontal stucco surfaces
  8. poor caulking maintenance List 10 areas outside to check for evidence of problems with an EIFS installation. - 1. exposure
  9. roof/wall connections
  10. gutters
  11. chimneys
  12. door and window openings
  13. openings for electrical conduit, lights, cable TV, etc.
  14. vent openings
  15. railing and deck connections
  16. cracks, bulges, peeling, fungus, exposed mesh
  17. evidence of repairs List 5 areas on the interior to check for evidence of problems with EIFS installations. - 1. stains on walls, floors, and ceilings
  18. rusting or rotting carpet tack strip
  19. peeling paint
  20. damaged flooring
  21. elevated moisture levels in drywall or subflooring List 2 areas in basements or crawlspaces to check for evidence of problems with EIFS installations. - 1. mold, mildew or rot joists, sills, rim joists, and subflooring
  22. stains on foundations coming from sill area What is the effect of vines growing on wood siding? - Vines hold water and reduce the drying potential. Which siding would perform better? a. 12-inch wide board or 6-inch wide board? b. 3/4 inch wide board or 3/8 in wide board?

List 2 common problems to look for on the exterior of exposed foundations. - 1. cracking

  1. spalling Where are soffits and fascia typically found? - at the rafter ends What materials are commonly used for soffits and fascia? - wood, aluminum, fiber- cement, hardboard, osb, plywood, or vinyl What are the issues with a double layer of soffit material (e.g., aluminum over wood)? -
  2. damage on the original layer can't be detected.
  3. soffit vents can be covered up, rendering them ineffective. List 4 common problems with soffits and fascia. - 1. loose or missing pieces
  4. rot
  5. physical damage
  6. paint or stain needed List 7 different things to evaluate with doors and windows. - 1. appearance
  7. condition
  8. operability
  9. security
  10. energy
  11. efficiency
  12. comfort
  13. water leakage List 12 common problems with doors and windows. - rot; damage; paint/stain problems; caulking/flashing problems; putty/glazing problems; sill slope; deteriorated sills; frame deformation; storm and screens missing or damaged; cracked or broken glass; condensation between panes; vines Give 3 examples of where flashings would typically be found on exterior walls. - 1. over windows and doors
  14. at bottoms of walls
  15. at horizontal siding joints in panel type siding List 6 common problems with caulking, trim, and flashings. - 1. missing flashings
  16. ineffective or incomplete flashings
  17. loose
  18. rust
  19. rot
  20. caulking missing or ineffective List 3 mechanisms by which water may get into wall systems from the building exterior.
    1. rain driven by wind
  1. rain running down the wall
  2. water wicking into the wall Why should all risers in a set of steps be uniform? - uneven risers are a trip hazard Rise is usually _________ inches maximum, and tread depth is typically ___________ to _________ inches minimum. - rise is 7 3/4" maximum depth is 10 inches minimum The nosing is usually ___________ inches deep. - 3/4" to 1 1/4" Minimum dimensions for landings are often stated as ___________ feet by ____________ feet. - 3 feet Explain why the absence of a landing may be a safety hazard. - An outward opening door can knock someone off the stairs. Describe spalling. - the crumbling, flaking, chipping, or shaling of the surface of the masonry What is the best way to test for rot in a wooden stair stringer? - probe the wood with an awl or screwdriver Why can carpet on wood porches be bad? - It prevents close inspection and hold water against the wood causing rot. Guardrails are typically required on porches, decks, or balconies more than _________ inches above grade. - 30 inches The openings between railing spindles should not be greater than ____________ inches. - 4 inches Why should spindles be vertical, not horizontal? - Horizontal spindles are climbable. Railings on stairways should be between _________ inches and ____________ inches above the stair nosing depending on your area. - 34 to 38 Guardrails should be at least ___________ inches high. - 36 Why shouldn't you align a beam with a gutter to check for sag? - Gutters slope so they always look off level. What is the requirement for beam end bearing on masonry? - 3 inches

Why do many authorities discourage floor drains in garages? - Because automobile fluids can find their way into municipal sewers. The diameter of a garage drain exit pipe should be at least ___________ inches. - 3 inches. Why should the end of the drain exit pipe in a driveway turn down? - to reduce the amount of debris that gets into the drain pipe. Automatic garage door openers have to be strong because they lift the weight of the door. True or False? - False List 5 problems to look for on a typical sectional garage door. - 1. difficult to open or close

  1. rot or insect damage
  2. paint or stain problems
  3. rust or denting
  4. automatic opener problems It's best to test a garage door opener from (inside / outside) the garage. - inside If the vehicle door stops 2 inches short of the garage floor, there is a problem with the _____________. - adjustment of the closing limit What is the recommended way to test the automatic reverse on a garage door opener?
  • with a 2" block of wood placed in the door's path What is the commonly recommended slope for ground around a house? - 6" drop over the first 10 feet away from the foundation Dramatic slope is likely less important if the ground surface is: sand or asphalt? - asphalt Bad grading will always cause wet basements. True or False? - False Briefly describe a common foundation drainage material. - A black plastic dimpled membrane that acts to relieve hydrostatic pressure in the soil. To work well, a foundation drainage layer requires ________________. - perimeter drainage tile 3 possible implications of poor lot grading are: - 1. wet basement and crawlspace
  1. damage to foundation
  2. damage to siding materials What is used to keep soil away from a basement window? - a window well

Why are porous surface materials near a house a potential problem? - The earth below them may be impervious and slope toward the house. List five clues to look for concerning ravine or sloping lots. - 1. Is there vegetation growing over the whole surface?

  1. Are there bands of freshly exposed topsoil?
  2. Are the tree trunks vertical?
  3. Is there cracking in the walls on the ravine side of the house?
  4. Are retaining walls leaning out over the ravine? Briefly state the function of gutters and downspouts. - Carry water from the roof away from the building, protecting the cladding system and the foundation. 2 other names for gutters. 3 other names for downspouts. - troughs, eavestroughs rain water leaders, leaders, conductor pipes Why are gutters and downspouts sometimes left off in northern areas? - because of ice damming problems Steep roofs may have a large surface area but a small ___________. This means that their gutters need to be (bigger/smaller) than you might expect. - horizontal projection gutters can be smaller Roof shingles should not project more than _________ inches out over the inner edge of the gutter. - 1 inch maximum projection Gutter leaks are common at ____________ and ______________.. - seams and changes in direction What can cause copper gutters to develop pinhole leaks? - Corrosive action from leaves or needles from trees A house that has integral gutters is more prone to ice damming if it has a steep roof. True or False? - False A typical gutter slope is _________________. - 1 inch drop over 200 inches of run What can happen to roof materials if a dormer has gutters but no downspouts? - Localized discoloration and premature wear occur below the gutter. List 3 advantages of downspouts discharging above grade. - 1. easy to repair or replace
  5. easy to know if they are working properly
  6. with a proper extension the landscaping is not damaged

The roof covering is typically part of the structure of the home. True of False? - False What is the fundamental difference in strategy between a flat roof surface and a sloped roof surface? - Sloped roofs shed water while flat roofs are watertight. Is a sloped roof waterproof? Explain. - No--they just shed water like an umbrella. They are not designed to control standing water. What is the pitch of the roof and how is it usually expressed? - The slope expressed as the ratio of the rise over the run. What are 4 overall goals of the roof inspection? - 1. Identify the roofing material.

  1. Determine whether it was properly installed.
  2. Determine whether it is performing properly or leaking.
  3. Determine whether it is near the end of its life. What are the limits to a roof inspection? - Fasteners, flashing, and at least half of the roofing materials are concealed. The inspection is also not complete until you look at the underside of the roof. Why can a minor leak be more of a problem than a major one? - A minor leak can cause considerable damage before it is noticed. List 9 common roof problems. - 1. old
  4. damaged
  5. patched
  6. missing materials
  7. exposed fasteners
  8. poor installation
  9. vulnerable areas
  10. ice dam potential
  11. multiple layers On a 10-year old house, how old would you expect the roof to be? - 10 years old What are some of the causes of aging? - exposure to uv light; wind exposure; ventilation; pitch; complexity; foot traffic; concentrated water; tree branches; color Which side of the roof will age more quickly in climates where UV light is the main aging factor? - south and west In general, is there a higher risk of leakage at a patched area of roof? - yes Anything that restricts the drainage of water is a vulnerable area. Give as many examples as you can. - butterfly roofs; wide chimneys near the edge of the roof;

skylights; drains from upper roof discharging onto lower roofs; changes in materials; asymmetric valleys; changes in slope; anything that obstructs drainage. What things might you see that suggest patching has been done on a roof? - 1. asphalt- based products on the roof surface

  1. caulking
  2. different roofing or flashing materials Once a roof is installed, can you see all the important installation details? - No What is an ice dam? - A buildup of ice at the bottom of the roof. What causes ice dams? - Heat loss through the roof leading to melting of snow. This water then refreezes when it gets down to the colder eaves area. Which style of roof (slope and soffit width) is most prone to ice damming? - Low-sloped roof with a wide soffit. What areas of a roof are most prone to ice damming? - north slopes; bottom of valleys; low-sloped roofs; roofs with changing slopes; roofs with wide soffits; roofs over porches and balconies. List the clues that a house may have had or be prone to ice damming. - Evidence of damage at wall-ceiling intersection. Stained siding near the soffits Leakage through windows. Etc. What are 3 possible actions to minimize ice damming? - Upgrade insulation and ventilation; add eave protection; or add electric heating cables. Which is the best of the 3 options above? - Upgrade attic insulation and ventilation What are the drawbacks to adding a second layer of roofing over a first? - 1. The dead load is increased.
  3. Nails may not be long enough to penetrate to the roof sheathing.
  4. Old flashings may not be replaced.
  5. The roof sheathing can't be properly inspected.
  6. Roofing materials may not dry properly. Where can you look on a roof to determine the number of layers? - Look at gable ends or edges of the roof. Also check the nailing pattern from the underside of the roof. What are the 3 parts of an asphalt shingle? - base material; asphalt layer; granule layer What is the typical life expectancy of an asphalt shingle roof? - 12-25 years