Practice Test — 40 Questions
1. A home inspector observes a horizontal crack along a concrete block foundation wall with inward displacement. What is the MOST significant concern?
A. Normal curing shrinkage
B. Hydrostatic or soil pressure against the wall
C. Termite activity
D. Improper concrete mixture
2. What is the primary purpose of flashing at a roof-to-wall intersection?
A. Provide structural support
B. Improve attic ventilation
C. Direct water away from the joint
D. Prevent shingle expansion
3. A properly wired 120-volt receptacle should have approximately what voltage between the hot and neutral conductors?
A. 24 volts
B. 60 volts
C. 120 volts
D. 240 volts
4. Which condition is MOST concerning when inspecting a deck ledger attached to a house?
A. Surface checking in the decking
B. Missing or improper flashing at the ledger
C. Faded deck stain
D. Minor warping of deck boards
5. The primary purpose of a plumbing trap beneath a fixture is to:
A. Increase drainage velocity
B. Prevent sewer gases from entering the building
C. Prevent pipe freezing
D. Increase water pressure
6. A furnace heat exchanger with a confirmed crack presents a potential risk of:
A. Excessive water pressure
B. Carbon monoxide entering the living space
C. Refrigerant leakage
D. Sewer gas infiltration
7. Which roof covering is MOST commonly associated with granule loss as it ages?
A. Slate
B. Asphalt composition shingles
C. Standing-seam metal
D. Clay tile
8. When inspecting an electrical subpanel downstream from the service disconnect, the neutral conductor should generally be:
A. Bonded to the enclosure
B. Isolated from the enclosure and equipment grounding conductors
C. Connected directly to a grounding electrode only
D. Removed entirely
9. Which condition is MOST likely to cause condensation and moisture problems in an attic during cold weather?
A. Excessive roof pitch
B. Warm, moist interior air leaking into the attic
C. Dark-colored shingles
D. Oversized gutters
10. A water heater temperature-and-pressure relief valve discharge pipe should NOT:
A. Terminate near the floor
B. Be constructed of an approved material
C. Be reduced in diameter
D. Discharge by gravity
11. A three-light receptacle tester indicates an open ground. What does this generally mean?
A. The hot and neutral are reversed
B. The equipment grounding path is incomplete
C. The circuit breaker is oversized
D. The receptacle has 240 volts
12. Which structural member normally supports the ends of floor joists?
A. Rafter
B. Beam or girder
C. Collar tie
D. Ridge board
13. Efflorescence on a masonry basement wall is MOST commonly an indication of:
A. Electrical arcing
B. Moisture movement through the masonry
C. Termite damage
D. Structural overloading
14. What is the primary function of gutters and downspouts?
A. Ventilate the roof
B. Prevent ice dams
C. Collect roof runoff and discharge it away from the structure
D. Support the roof edge
15. When a central air-conditioning system is operated when the outdoor temperature is too low, the inspector risks:
A. Cracking the heat exchanger
B. Damaging the compressor or obtaining unreliable performance results
C. Overheating the evaporator coil
D. Increasing water pressure
16. A double-tapped circuit breaker should generally be reported when:
A. Two conductors are connected to a breaker not designed for two conductors
B. Two breakers serve one room
C. A breaker supplies two receptacles
D. The panel contains tandem breakers
17. Which condition is MOST suggestive of active roof leakage?
A. Uniformly faded shingles
B. Fresh moisture staining and elevated moisture readings below the roof
C. Minor granule accumulation in gutters
D. Slightly curled shingle corners
18. The purpose of a GFCI device is primarily to protect people from:
A. Circuit overloads
B. Electrical shock
C. Lightning strikes
D. Low voltage
19. A plumbing vent system primarily allows:
A. Hot water to cool
B. Drainage pipes to maintain proper atmospheric pressure
C. Water pressure to increase
D. Traps to drain completely
20. A chimney flue serving a fuel-burning appliance is primarily intended to:
A. Supply combustion air
B. Carry combustion products to the exterior
C. Support the chimney cap
D. Prevent condensation in the appliance
21. Which condition around a house foundation is generally preferred?
A. Soil sloping toward the foundation
B. Soil sloping away from the foundation
C. Soil level with siding
D. Mulch covering the bottom of the siding
22. Wood siding installed too close to soil is particularly concerning because it can:
A. Increase electrical resistance
B. Promote moisture damage and wood-destroying insect activity
C. Reduce attic ventilation
D. Damage plumbing vents
23. What is the primary purpose of attic insulation?
A. Stop all air movement
B. Reduce heat transfer between conditioned and unconditioned spaces
C. Waterproof the roof
D. Support the ceiling
24. A garage-to-house door should be evaluated primarily because it is part of the home's:
A. Plumbing vent system
B. Fire and fume separation
C. Roof drainage system
D. Foundation drainage system
25. Which condition at an electrical panel presents the MOST immediate safety concern?
A. Missing circuit directory labels
B. Exposed energized components accessible to accidental contact
C. Dust inside the enclosure
D. Different breaker manufacturers
26. A toilet that rocks when pushed should be reported because movement may:
A. Increase water pressure
B. Compromise the seal at the waste connection
C. Block the plumbing vent
D. Damage the fill valve only
27. What is the MOST likely consequence of inadequate combustion air for a fuel-burning appliance?
A. Increased water pressure
B. Incomplete combustion and possible carbon monoxide production
C. Refrigerant loss
D. Electrical overload
28. Which crack in a poured concrete foundation is generally MOST concerning?
A. A small vertical hairline crack with no displacement
B. A horizontal crack accompanied by inward wall movement
C. A small surface shrinkage crack
D. A cosmetic crack in parging
29. The primary purpose of roof underlayment beneath asphalt shingles is to:
A. Provide a secondary weather-resistant layer
B. Support roof rafters
C. Ventilate the attic
D. Prevent structural movement
30. A bathroom exhaust fan that terminates in the attic should be reported because it can:
A. Reduce water pressure
B. Introduce excessive moisture into the attic
C. Overload the electrical service
D. Damage the foundation
31. Which is the BEST indication that a window may have a failed insulated-glass seal?
A. Peeling interior paint
B. Condensation or fogging between the panes
C. A loose window lock
D. Missing exterior caulk
32. When inspecting stairs, inconsistent riser heights are a concern primarily because they:
A. Increase structural loading
B. Create a trip-and-fall hazard
C. Reduce ventilation
D. Cause moisture intrusion
33. A sump pump is primarily intended to:
A. Increase municipal water pressure
B. Remove accumulated groundwater from a sump basin
C. Pump sewage to the municipal sewer
D. Drain the water heater
34. What is the primary function of a circuit breaker?
A. Protect conductors from excessive current
B. Protect people from every electrical shock
C. Increase circuit voltage
D. Provide grounding for the electrical system
35. When inspecting a gas-fired water heater, scorch marks or melted components near the draft hood may indicate:
A. Proper combustion
B. Flue-gas spillage or improper venting
C. Excessive water pressure
D. A defective drain valve
36. Which condition is MOST likely to contribute to ice-dam formation?
A. Excessive attic heat loss combined with freezing exterior temperatures
B. Oversized downspouts
C. Dark roof shingles
D. Copper plumbing
37. A home inspector discovers extensive fungal-like growth on roof sheathing in the attic. The inspector should MOST appropriately:
A. Identify the exact mold species visually
B. Ignore it unless the roof leaks during the inspection
C. Report the condition and recommend correction of the underlying moisture source and appropriate evaluation
D. Immediately perform remediation
38. Which observation MOST strongly suggests a possible structural problem with a floor system?
A. Minor floor squeaking
B. Significant sagging accompanied by altered or damaged structural members
C. Cosmetic scratches in hardwood flooring
D. Loose carpet
39. The inspector finds a 20-amp circuit breaker protecting conductors that appear to be 14 AWG copper on a typical branch circuit. What is the primary concern?
A. The breaker may not adequately protect the conductors from overcurrent
B. The circuit voltage will be too low
C. The receptacles will stop working
D. The grounding electrode will overheat
40. During an inspection, the inspector encounters a component that is inaccessible without dismantling finished construction. Under a typical home-inspection Standard of Practice, the inspector should generally:
A. Dismantle the construction
B. Guarantee that the concealed component is satisfactory
C. Document the limitation and inspect what is readily accessible
D. Remove the component for further examination