Top Rated Home Inspector Flashcards
7 cards from real Home Inspector Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Top Rated Home Inspector flashcards as text
What does the term 'polybutylene piping' refer to, and why is it significant in home inspections?
Answer: A gray plastic pipe used from the 1970s–90s that is prone to failure and leaks
Polybutylene (PB) pipe was widely used from the 1970s to 1990s but degrades when exposed to chlorine in municipal water, leading to cracking and leaks.
Which condition is a home inspector MOST likely to flag regarding a wood-burning fireplace?
Answer: Creosote buildup inside the flue
Creosote is a flammable byproduct of burning wood that accumulates in flues and is a leading cause of chimney fires.
What is the purpose of 'anti-tip brackets' on a freestanding kitchen range?
Answer: To stop the range from tipping forward when a heavy load is placed on an open door
Anti-tip brackets anchor the rear leg of a freestanding range to prevent the appliance from tipping when someone sits or leans on an open oven door.
A home inspector observes that a deck is attached to the house with lag screws driven through the ledger board into the rim joist. What additional concern should be checked?
Answer: Whether flashing is properly installed at the ledger to prevent water intrusion
Improper or missing ledger flashing allows water to enter behind the board, rotting the rim joist and potentially causing deck collapse.
What does 'galvanic corrosion' mean in the context of a home inspection?
Answer: Accelerated corrosion when two dissimilar metals are in contact in the presence of an electrolyte
Galvanic corrosion occurs when two dissimilar metals like copper and galvanized steel are joined, causing the less noble metal to corrode faster.
Which of the following represents a 'limitation' that a home inspector must disclose in their report?
Answer: Finished walls prevented inspection of hidden framing and wiring
Limitations are conditions beyond the inspector's control, such as inaccessible areas, that prevent full inspection of a component or system.
When inspecting a home built before 1978, which hazardous material concern is MOST specific to that era?
Answer: Lead-based paint on interior and exterior surfaces
Lead-based paint was commonly used in homes before 1978 and was federally banned for residential use that year; its presence must be disclosed in real estate transactions.