Interior Inspection Flashcards
7 cards from real NHIE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Interior Inspection flashcards as text
An inspector finds that bathroom tile grout is cracked and missing around the tub surround. Why is this reported as a significant deficiency?
Answer: It allows water infiltration that can cause hidden structural damage
Failed grout in wet areas allows water to penetrate behind tile, leading to substrate rot, mold growth, and potential structural damage to framing.
When inspecting interior windows, which condition indicates a failed insulated glass unit (IGU)?
Answer: Fogging or condensation between the panes of glass
Fogging between the panes indicates the hermetic seal has failed, allowing moist air to enter the insulating space and permanently reducing thermal performance.
A home inspector observes that interior window sills are stained and the paint is blistering. The MOST likely cause is:
Answer: Condensation from cold glass running onto the sill repeatedly
Repeated condensation draining from cold glass onto the sill causes paint blistering and wood staining, indicating inadequate insulation or ventilation.
Which observation during an interior inspection most strongly suggests the presence of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI)?
Answer: Small holes in exterior walls that have been patched, in a home built between 1970 and 1980
UFFI was injected through small holes drilled in exterior walls, primarily in the 1970s; patched holes in older homes are a key visual indicator.
What is the NHIE inspector's primary responsibility when discovering suspected mold during an interior inspection?
Answer: Report the presence of visible mold-like substances and recommend specialist evaluation
Home inspectors are generalists who report visible conditions and refer specialized issues such as mold identification to qualified industrial hygienists or remediators.
An interior door that swings open on its own most likely indicates:
Answer: The door is hung in an out-of-plumb frame
A door that swings open by itself is typically hung in a frame that is not plumb, causing the door to swing toward the low side under gravity.
Which smoke alarm placement is required by the IRC in a home with sleeping rooms?
Answer: Inside each sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on each floor level
The IRC requires smoke alarms inside each sleeping room, in the hallway or area outside each separate sleeping area, and on every floor including the basement.