Ultimate 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 Ultimate Home Inspector flashcards as text
An inspector observes that a home's main water shutoff valve is a gate valve rather than a ball valve. Why might this be noted as a concern?
Answer: Gate valves can fail to fully close after years of disuse, making them unreliable in an emergency
Gate valves corrode internally over time and their stems can seize, meaning they may not fully open or close when needed in an emergency shut-off situation.
What is the purpose of a 'kickout flashing' where a roof slope meets a sidewall?
Answer: To divert water away from the wall and into the gutter rather than behind the siding
Kickout (diverter) flashing at the roof-wall intersection deflects water out into the gutter; without it, water runs behind the siding and can cause severe rot and moisture intrusion.
During an electrical inspection, an inspector finds aluminum wiring used for branch circuits in a home built in the 1970s. What is the primary concern?
Answer: Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, causing loose connections that can overheat and arc
Aluminum's greater thermal expansion relative to copper causes connection points to loosen over time, increasing resistance, heat, and the risk of fire at outlets and switches.
Which of the following best describes 'polybutylene' piping, which may be found in homes built between 1978 and 1995?
Answer: A gray plastic pipe that became prone to micro-fractures and leaks, leading to widespread recalls
Polybutylene pipe reacts with oxidants in public water supplies, causing it to flake and crack from the inside out, often resulting in catastrophic leaks.
An inspector observes a 'S-trap' configuration under a bathroom sink drain. Why is this a deficiency?
Answer: S-traps can siphon their water seal, allowing sewer gases to enter the home
The S-trap's shape causes the water to siphon out of the trap as it drains, destroying the water seal that blocks sewer gases; a P-trap with proper venting is the code-compliant alternative.
What is the significance of visible 'truss uplift' cracking at interior ceiling-to-wall joints during an inspection?
Answer: Engineered roof trusses moving seasonally as the bottom chord bows upward in cold weather
Truss uplift is a seasonal phenomenon where cold, moist attic air causes the bottom chord to bow upward, separating the interior wall from the ceiling drywall; it is cosmetic and not structural.
A home inspector should report the absence of tempered or safety glass in which of the following locations?
Answer: A sidelight window adjacent to an entry door within 24 inches of the door edge
Building codes require safety glazing in hazardous locations including sidelight panels within 24 inches of a door, since a person could easily fall into this glass.