Home Inspection Questions and Answers: A Guide for Students, Exams of Social Sciences

Download Home Inspection Questions and Answers: A Guide for Students and more Exams Social Sciences in PDF only on Docsity! HOME INSPECTION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Which action is required by most standards of practice? A. Required to operate all windows on the home. B. Required to report whether the garage door remote control transmitter is working. C. Required to report whether the garage door operator will automatically reverse or stop when meeting resistance. D. Required to inspect all outbuildings. - Answers- C. Required to report whether the garage door operator will automatically reverse or stop when meeting resistance. Which of the following, according to most standards, must be inspected in the exterior inspection? A. Storm windows B. Garden sheds C. Awnings D. Wall cladding - Answers- D. Wall cladding What is not an example of wall sheathing? A. Building paper B. Tongue and groove planking C. Plywood D. Fibrous sheets - Answers- A. Building Paper If a wall is moisture impermeable that means: A. Moisture is allowed to pass through the wall. B. Moisture will be trapped in the wall. C. Flashings are missing under the siding. D. The wall has insulation in it. - Answers- B. Moisture will be trapped in the wall. What is clapboard siding? A. Wood planks laid vertical with battens B. Wood planks laid vertical with scarfed joints C. Wood planks laid horizontally and overlapped D. Wood planks laid horizontally in shiplap style - Answers- C. Wood planks laid horizontally and overlapped Nails that don't grip in vertical plank siding may be caused by: A. Deteriorating paint or finish stain. B. Nails that are too long. C. The absence of wall sheathing. D. An improper nailing base. - Answers- D. An improper nailing base. Cupping and checking in wood plank siding is a sign of: A. Improper nailing B. Moisture retention C. Movement of the frame D. Crooked wall studs - Answers- B. Moisture retention Which type of siding has the least ability to hold paint over long periods? A. Stucco B. Composition board C. Aluminum D. Plywood - Answers- B. Composition board What is the difference between wood shingles and wood shakes? A. Shingles are sawn; shakes are handsplit. B. Shingles are bigger. C. Shakes have to be double coursed; shingles don't. D. Shingles have to be painted; shakes don't. - Answers- A. Shingles are sawn; shakes are handsplit. Which siding becomes brittle in cold weather. A. Aluminum B. Steel C. Stucco D. Vinyl - Answers- D. Vinyl The home inspector should check overlaps where aluminum planks meet lengthwise to be sure: A. They're big enough to prevent water penetration. B. That flashing is present. C. They're not rusting. - Answers- A. They're big enough to prevent water penetration. What is the definition of a porch? A. A roofed extension of the house B. An independent platform attached to the house C. An above-ground platform protruding from the house D. A flat, paved area abutting the house - Answers- A. A roofed extension of the house Which of the following statements is false? A. The home inspector should probe porch ceilings and fascias for wood rot. B. The home inspector should not inspect the porch. C. The home inspector should report missing railings on a porch over 2' from the ground. D. The home inspector should report a porch floor that tilts away from the house as a defect. - Answers- B. The home inspector should not inspect the porch. Why should deck floor boards be laid with space between them? A. To prevent cupping and checking B. To allow water to evaporate at the seams C. To eliminate the need for staining D. To provide water resistance - Answers- B. To allow water to evaporate at the seams Which statement is true? A. Deck support posts can have their feet buried if the wood is pressure treated. B; A deck is built on the home's foundation. C. The home inspector should inspect the deck from underneath if possible. •D. A deck is usually not fastened to the house. - Answers- C. The home inspector should inspect the deck from underneath if possible. What is usually the cause of a balcony that tilts downward when weight is applied? A. Rotted flooring members B. Loose railings C. Missing balusters D. Cantilevered joists that can't carry the load - Answers- D. Cantilevered joists that can't carry the load What is the proper pitch for a patio? A. Perfectly flat B. Pitched away from the house C. Pitched toward the house D. It doesn't matter what the pitch is. - Answers- B. Pitched away from the house If there are offset cracks in a concrete patio, the home inspector should: A. Offer to come back and repair the cracks B. Suggest a structural engineer be called in to examine the cracks C. Report the cracks as a trip hazard D. Suggest outdoor carpeting to cover fibe cracks - Answers- C. Report the cracks as a trip hazard What can be the cause of driveway pitting? A. Poor quality of materials B. Tree roots C. Uneven soil settlement D. Stones moving to the surface - Answers- A. Poor quality of materials What is the proper grading for land around the foundation? A. l"per foot for 5" or 6" B. 1" per foot for 5'or 6' C. 5" per foot for 1'or 2' D. 5" per foot for 5'or 6' - Answers- B. 1" per foot for 5'or 6' Window wells might be recommended if: A. Reverse grading is corrected leaving the basement window below grade. B. Any basement window doesn't have one. C. The basement window is leaking. D. Shrubbery is too close to the house. - Answers- A. Reverse grading is corrected leaving the basement window below grade. Identify the components marked A,B,C, in the wood retaining wall shown in the drawing below: A. Anchor rebar, deadman, spikes B. Gravel fill, deadman, spikes C. Gravel fill, spikes, deadman - Answers- C. Gravel fill, spikes, deadman When should a retaining wall be inspected? A. If bo wing is noticed B. If it is holding back soil near the house or garage C. If there's evidence of water flowing through the wall D. Every retaining wall should be inspected. - Answers- B. If it is holding back soil near the house or garage Even if garage trim is the same material as that on the house, it should be inspected. A. True B. False - Answers- A. True Twisted aluminum siding on the garage may be an indication of: A. Expansion and contraction B. Missing J channels C. Structural problems with the garage - Answers- A. Expansion and contraction Case Study: You are inspecting a 2-car garage attached to the house at its east wall, where drywall is present. The brick veneer siding shows step cracks on adjacent walls at the northwest corner of the garage. Inside the garage, there is an offset crack in the concrete floor at that same corner. The ceiling joists are sagging where some lumber is stored. A patio abutting the south wall of the garage is tilted toward the garage. Upon testing, the vehicle door won't reverse when you put a block of wood under it. What, if any, condition would you report as a safety hazard in your inspection report? A. Firewall missing B. Step cracks in siding C. Safety reverse on door not operating D. None of the above - Answers- C. Safety reverse on door not operating Case Study: You are inspecting a 2-car garage attached to the house at its east wall, where drywall is present. The brick veneer siding shows step cracks on adjacent walls at the northwest corner of the garage. Inside the garage, there is an offset crack in the concrete floor at that same corner. The ceiling joists are sagging where some lumber is stored. A When performing an exterior inspection, which of the following would you list as a safety hazard in your Inspection report? A. Rotted soffit, mildew on paint surfaces, flammable insulation in garage B. Corroded metal grills at window wells C. Negative grade, rotted soffits, rotting boards on porch Starrs D. Missing railing on deck 4' above ground and rotted boards on porch stairs - Answers- D. Missing railing on deck 4' above ground and rotted boards on porch stairs 48. Why should a home inspector record the weather conditions on the day of the inspection in the inspection report? A. If snow covered, to explain why the roof wasn't inspected B. If raining, to explain why the exterior inspection was not performed C. If dry, to explain why the trim wasn't inspected for leaking D. If very hot, to explain why doors to an air conditioned home weren't operated - Answers- A. If snow covered, to explain why the roof wasn't inspected When talking to the customer, the home inspector should: A. Make sure the customer understands the chemistry of paint. B. Only report good things about the house. C. Be sensitive to the customer's level of understanding. D. Make uneducated suggestions about repairs. - Answers- C. Be sensitive to the customer's level of understanding. During the exterior inspection, the home inspector should: A. Inspect soil conditions. B. Inspect vegetation near the foundation. C. Inspect recreational facilities. D. Inspect for safety glazing - Answers- B. Inspect vegetation near the foundation. Which action is required by most standards of practice? Required to enter underfloor crawl spaces and attic spaces if the property has them. Required to probe structural components where deterioration is suspected. Required to report signs of repair work on the property. Required to report cracks in the foundation only if they are active cracks. - Answers- Required to probe structural components where deterioration is suspected. What is the overall purpose of the structural inspection? To report signs of water penetration To check for code compliance To recommend inspection by a structural engineer To identify major structural deficiencies - Answers- To identify major structural deficiencies which of the following is not part of the structural inspection? Foundation walls Roof framing members Interior finish materials . Girders and floor joists - Answers- Interior finish materials Vertical cracks in the foundation wall extend- ing down to the footings can be caused by: Soil pressure against the wall Improper backfilling Settlement of the structure Overloading the lintel - Answers- Settlement of the structure For which type of foundation cracking should a structural engineer be recommended? Cracks of any width All active and inactive cracks Shrinkage cracks Horizontal cracks with movement - Answers- Horizontal cracks with movement For which condition should the customer be advised to monitor the foundation wall? Cracks less than 1/4" wide showing little or no movement i Step cracks indicating foundation settlement Excessive bowing of the wall with no cracks All active cracks - Answers- Step cracks indicating foundation settlement "What sign indicates that a foundation crack is still active? Random cracking over the wall's surface Deteriorating mortar in the wail A pilaster constructed to support the wall Sharp edges to the crack - Answers- Sharp edges to the crack Water stains along the junction of the basement wall and floor most likely indicates: A leaking water heater A drain tile problem A high water table A faulty downspout or splash block - Answers- A drain tile problem The source of most of the water leaking into basements can be attributed to: • Surface water Ground water - Answers- • Surface water Which of the following is a sign of water penetration through the foundation wall? A rotted girder or joist Efflorescence on the wall Water stains around the floor drain Delamination of the subfloor - Answers- Efflorescence on the wall What purpose does a Palmer valve serve? It allows the homeowner to turn on the sump pump manually. It provides a turnoff for an underground oil tank. It allows water to flow from the sump pump away from the house. It allows water to flow from the drain tile system into the sewer. - Answers- It allows water to flow from the drain tile system into the sewer. An end notch cut into a beam where it rests Rafter spread A. rusting lintel - Answers- A. rusting lintel What should be suspected if a brick veneer wall has a bow to it? Loose brick ties Blocked weep holes Spalling ,. Loose header rows - Answers- Loose brick ties Step cracks above a window in a solid brick wall are most often caused by: A problem with the lintel Foundation settlement Loose brick ties Footing failure - Answers- A problem with the lintel Which can cause a floor to be bouncy? . A downstairs partition built parallel to the joists . A partition built between the joists Shrinkage of the outer wall Lack of proper bridging in the joists - Answers- Lack of proper bridging in the joists Installing floor trusses wrong-side-up weakens their ability to carry their intended load. .True . False - Answers- .True What may happen to the floor as a result of a load-bearing wall being offset from the supporting beam below it? \ The joists supporting the wall may be deflected. \ low spot may appear in the floor along the wall. . A ridge may appear above the beam. ). All of the above. - Answers- All of the above. Which statement is false? The home inspector is not required to enter the attic if access is obstructed. The home inspector is not required to enter the attic if entry will damage property. The home inspector is not required to enter the attic if dangerous conditions are suspected. The home inspector is not required to report the methods used to observe the attic. - Answers- The home inspector is not required to report the methods used to observe the attic. What is the function of a knee wall in an attic? To support the roof sheathing '• To prevent the roof rafters from sagging To prevent the roof rafters from spreading , To provide a surface for attaching insulation - Answers- To prevent the roof rafters from sagging Which of the following is generally not a structural part of the roof framework? Scissors truss Collar ties ridge board rafters - Answers- ridge board What condition should be reported as a major defect hi the roof structure? Loose gusset plates in the trusses Truss uplift Cracked rafters and delaminated sheathing . Waviness in the roof surface - Answers- Cracked rafters and delaminated sheathing What type of roof truss is used in vaulted or cathedral ceiling structures? Fink truss Howe truss Scissors truss - Answers- scissors truss Identify the members of the truss marked as B and C, in the drawing below. Web, top chord, gusset plate Top chord, web, bottom chord Gusset plate, top chord, web - Answers- Gusset plate, top chord, web What type of roof truss is presented in the drawing above? Fink truss •' Howe truss Scissors truss - Answers- Howe truss What condition in the attic can cause plywood roof sheathing to delaminate? Too heavy live load on the roof Too much moisture in the attic No H-clips connecting the sheathing Warping and buckling - Answers- Too much moisture in the attic At what temperature should the unfinished attic be kept? Colder than outdoors Warmer than the house The same as the house The same as outdoors - Answers- The same as outdoors When should attic vents be open? At all times All seasons but winter Summer only - Answers- At all times Where should insulation in an unfinished attic be laid? Between the rafters Behind the knee wall On the floor Over the collar ties - Answers- On the floor Insulation in the attic should be installed: With the moisture deterrent layer toward the attic space. With the moisture deterrent layer toward the heated portion of the house. Either way. - Answers- With the moisture deterrent layer toward the heated portion of the house. Identify the framing members of the roof structure marked A, B, C and D, shown below. Ridge board, rafter, kneewall, collar tie Rafter, ridge board, collar tie, top plate Ceiling joist, ridge board, collar tie, kneewall further evaluated to determine the cause Do not report them Have concrete floor removed to determine the cause - Answers- Water stains at wall and floor need to be further evaluated to determine the cause Which action is required by most standards of practice? A. Required to walk on the roofing at every inspection. B. Required to observe attached accessories such as lightning arrestors and antennae. C. Required to inspect underground piping connected to downspouts. D. Required to report the methods used to observe the roofing. - Answers- D. Required to report the methods used to observe the roofing. Which of the following, according to most standards, is not part of the roof inspection? A. Flashings B. Solar systems C. Signs of leaks D. Garage roof - Answers- B. Solar systems What is the overall objective of the roofing inspection? A. To identify the type of roofing material B. To identify major deficiencies in the roofing system C. To determine the slope of the roof D. To describe the material used as flashings - Answers- B. To identify major deficiencies in the roofing system What type of roof has a double slope on each side, where the bottommost slope is the steepest? A. Butterfly roof B. Gable roof . C. Gambrel roof D. Hip roof - Answers- C. Gambrel roof Which of a roof's natural enemies can actually degrade organic ingredients in roof coverings? A. The sun B. The wind C. The rain D. Trees - Answers- A. The sun What is ice damming? A. When melting snow refreezes at the eaves trapping water behind it B. The use of a metal claw to hold ice until it melts C. A wire mesh installed over gutters to prevent ice from entering the gutters D. Keeping a roof warm to prohibit ice from forming - Answers- A. When melting snow refreezes at the eaves trapping water behind it What does a 3/12 slope mean? A. The roof has a 3' run for every 12' of rise B. The roof has a 3' rise for every 12' of run - Answers- B. The roof has a 3' rise for every 12' of run Which is the steepest roof? A. One with a 2/12 slope B. One with a 3/12 slope C. One with a 4/12 slope D. One with a 6/12 slope - Answers- D. One with a 6/12 slope Why should an inspector be cautious about walking on a roof over a cathedral ceiling? A. They're usually dangerous because of the slope. B. The plywood sheathing may be delaminated due to poor ventilation. - Answers- B. The plywood sheathing may be delaminated due to poor ventilation. Assuming the following roofing is in good condition, which could be walked on? A. Asbestos cement shingles B. Clay tiles C. Roll roofing D. Slate shingles - Answers- C. Roll roofing Which roof covering most likely has the shortest lifetime? A. Cement tiles B. Metal roofing C. Roll roofing D. Single ply membrane - Answers- C. Roll roofing Identify the roof components marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 as shown here: A. Dormer, ridge, flue, crown, chase B. Valley, ridge, chase, crown, flue C. Valley, ridge, flue, crown, chase - Answers- C. Valley, ridge, flue, crown, chase In the drawing above, what is the style of the roof on the small addition at the left? A. Hip roof B. Shed roof C. Gable roof D. Mansard roof - Answers- B. Shed roof . How might rafter spread be noticed from the exterior of the home? A. A hump-in the ridge line B. Waviness over the roof surface C. Separation of the soffits from the wall D. A sunken area on the roof - Answers- C. Separation of the soffits from the wall What is truss uplift? A. Where the roof load pushes the rafters upward B. Trusses at too wide a span C. Trusses that have had chords cut D. A bowing upward of the truss's bottom chord - Answers- D. A bowing upward of the truss's bottom chord When inspecting roof structure from the exterior, the home inspector should: A. Make a complete tour around the house to view the roof from the ground. B. Eye the ridge lines from the ground. C. Look for distortions in the planes of the roof. D. All of the above. - Answers- D. All of the above. What roof condition might be part of the original design of the roof? A. A hump in the ridge line B. A sagging ridge line C. A sunken area in the roof surface D. Waviness in the roof surface - Answers- A. A hump in the ridge line What does 2251b asphalt shingle roofing mean? A. It costs $2.25 per strip B. It weights 225 pounds per 100 square feet C. 225 shingles cover 100 square feet D. It lasts 22.5 years - Answers- B. It weights 225 pounds per 100 square feet What type of roofing would not be appropriate for a roof with a slope of 5/12? A. Built-up roofing B. Wood shakes C. Cement tiles D. Asphalt shingles - Answers- A. Built-up roofing Reporting the condition of the roof covering to be marginal means: A. The roof should be replaced now. B. The roof should be repaired now. C. The roof should be replaced within 5 years. D. The roof will reach its normal lifetime. - Answers- C. The roof should be replaced within 5 years. The home inspector is NOT required to report: A. Approximate age of the roof covering B. Number of layers of the roof covering C. The cost of replacing the roof covering D. All of the above - Answers- D. All of the above Finding granules from asphalt shingles in the gutters definitely indicates: A. Roofing has reached its useful lifetime. B. Roofing was improperly installed. C. Roofing has experienced excessive overheating. D. Roofing is showing some wear. - Answers- A. Roofing has reached its useful lifetime Roll roofing has the same materials as: A. Asbestos cement shingles B. Concrete tile C. Asphalt shingles D. Terne roofing - Answers- C. Asphalt shingles Which statement about wood shingles is false? A. Wood shingles should be installed over solid or spaced planked sheathing. B. Wood shingles should be laid 1/4" to 3/8" apart. C. Wood shingles should be staggered. D. Wood shingles should be installed with an interlayment of felt between each course. - Answers- D. Wood shingles should be installed with an interlayment of felt between each course. If there are splits in wood shakes directly under the gaps in the course above, the home inspector should look for: A. Loose nails at the splits. B. Softness and rot at the splits. C. Shakes butted too closely at the splits. D. Missing interlayment. - Answers- B. Softness and rot at the splits Darkened or blackened wood shingles is an indication of: A. Wood rot B. Moss C. Mildew D. Water penetration - Answers- C. Mildew If recommending repairs to a tile roof, the home inspector should warn the customer: A. To find an expert for the job. B. The repairs will be expensive. C. That repairs hardly ever work - Answers- A. To find an expert for the job. What is a sign of low quality slates? A. The presence of moss on them B. Brittleness C. Slipped shingles D. A ribbon of color in the slate - Answers- D. A ribbon of color in the slate Slate and asphalt shingles look very much alikeA. True B. False - Answers- B. False Which metal roofing does not need to be painted? A. Terne B. Copper C. Coated steel D. Galvanized steel - Answers- B. Copper The inspector finding tar used on a single ply rubber membrane roof should: A. Check to see if the tar seal is working. B. Check to see if the membrane is still securely fastened to the roof. C. Tell the customer tar should not be used with rubber roofing. D. Recommend the inspector come back to remove the tar. - Answers- C. Tell the customer tar should not be used with rubber roofing.