InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards & Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under InterNACHI standards, what is the inspector's duty when they encounter a system they suspect may have been repaired using non-standard methods?
- Immediately shut down the system to prevent further damage
- Report the suspected condition and recommend evaluation by a specialist (Correct answer)
- Open walls or panels to confirm the method used
- Accept the repair as adequate if it appears functional
Correct answer: Report the suspected condition and recommend evaluation by a specialist
When an inspector suspects improper repairs, they should report the concern and recommend evaluation by a qualified specialist.
Question 2: What does InterNACHI's standard of practice require regarding the inspection of interior doors?
- All interior doors must be operated and checked for smooth operation (Correct answer)
- Only doors adjacent to stairwells need to be inspected
- Interior doors are excluded from the standard scope of inspection
- A random sample of interior doors must be operated
Correct answer: All interior doors must be operated and checked for smooth operation
InterNACHI requires inspectors to operate all readily accessible interior doors and report deficiencies in their operation.
Question 3: Which of the following accurately describes the InterNACHI standard for inspecting insulation in an unfinished basement?
- Inspectors must probe insulation to determine its R-value
- Inspectors must identify and report on the presence and condition of visible insulation (Correct answer)
- Insulation inspection is limited to attic spaces only
- Inspectors must remove insulation to inspect the structure behind it
Correct answer: Inspectors must identify and report on the presence and condition of visible insulation
Inspectors are required to identify visible insulation and report on its general condition; probing or removing insulation is not required.
Question 4: According to InterNACHI standards, which of the following is the inspector required to do regarding garage doors?
- Test auto-reverse mechanism using a physical object under the door
- Inspect only the exterior appearance of the garage door
- Operate the door and test the auto-reverse and auto-stop mechanism (Correct answer)
- Lubricate the door springs and tracks during inspection
Correct answer: Operate the door and test the auto-reverse and auto-stop mechanism
InterNACHI requires inspectors to operate garage doors and test their auto-reverse and auto-stop safety mechanisms.
Question 5: A client asks the inspector to provide an estimate of repair costs for deficiencies noted in the report. What is the InterNACHI standard on this?
- Inspectors are required to provide cost estimates for all major deficiencies
- Inspectors may provide estimates but should qualify them as approximate
- Inspectors are not required to provide repair cost estimates (Correct answer)
- Cost estimates must only be provided by a licensed contractor, not the inspector
Correct answer: Inspectors are not required to provide repair cost estimates
InterNACHI standards do not require inspectors to provide repair cost estimates, though some inspectors may choose to do so as an added service.
Question 6: Under InterNACHI standards, what must the inspector report about the water heater?
- The exact age, serial number, and warranty status of the unit
- The type, location, and visible condition of the water heater (Correct answer)
- Whether the water heater meets current energy efficiency codes
- The mineral content of the water supply entering the heater
Correct answer: The type, location, and visible condition of the water heater
Inspectors must report on the type, location, and visible condition of the water heater, including its safety devices.
Question 7: Which of the following is an exclusion from the InterNACHI standard home inspection?
- Visible plumbing supply and drain pipes
- Underground utilities and components (Correct answer)
- Readily accessible HVAC air supply registers
- Visible attic structural components
Correct answer: Underground utilities and components
Underground utilities and components are specifically excluded from the InterNACHI standard inspection because they are not visible or accessible.
InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards & Procedures 4
Under InterNACHI standards, what is the inspector's duty when they encounter a system they suspect may have been repaired using non-standard methods?