NHIE Interior Inspection 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When inspecting interior walls, which condition most strongly indicates moisture intrusion behind the surface?
- Hairline cracks at corners
- Efflorescence staining at the base (Correct answer)
- Nail pops in drywall
- Minor surface paint peeling
Correct answer: Efflorescence staining at the base
Efflorescence (white mineral deposits) on interior walls indicates water is moving through the material, signaling active moisture intrusion.
Question 2: A home inspector finds that several interior doors bind and fail to latch properly on the upper corner. What is the most likely cause?
- Improper door hinge installation
- Foundation settlement or structural movement (Correct answer)
- High indoor humidity warping the door
- Incorrect door stop placement
Correct answer: Foundation settlement or structural movement
Doors binding at the upper corner on the latch side typically indicate differential settlement or structural racking that has distorted the door frame.
Question 3: Which flooring defect represents the greatest safety hazard that an inspector must report?
- Minor squeaking when walked upon
- Cupped hardwood boards
- Soft or spongy areas indicating subfloor deterioration (Correct answer)
- Gaps between floorboards
Correct answer: Soft or spongy areas indicating subfloor deterioration
Soft or spongy flooring indicates subfloor rot or structural damage that could cause a fall-through, making it the most immediate safety concern.
Question 4: An inspector observes staining on the ceiling directly below a bathroom. What is the FIRST step in determining the cause?
- Recommend replacement of the bathroom floor
- Check whether the bathroom above has an exhaust fan
- Inspect the bathroom above for plumbing leaks and caulking failures (Correct answer)
- Assume it is a roof leak and inspect the attic
Correct answer: Inspect the bathroom above for plumbing leaks and caulking failures
The bathroom above is the most probable source; inspecting plumbing connections, supply lines, and drain seals is the logical first diagnostic step.
Question 5: What does 'truss uplift' typically cause in a home's interior?
- Cracks running diagonally from window corners
- Separation between partition walls and the ceiling (Correct answer)
- Bowing of interior load-bearing walls
- Stair stringer separation from the floor
Correct answer: Separation between partition walls and the ceiling
Truss uplift occurs when the bottom chord of a truss moves upward in cold weather, pulling attached partition walls away from the ceiling drywall.
Question 6: When inspecting a stairway, the maximum allowable variation in riser height between any two risers in a flight is:
- 1/4 inch
- 3/8 inch (Correct answer)
- 1/2 inch
- 5/8 inch
Correct answer: 3/8 inch
Most building codes, including IRC, limit riser height variation within a flight to 3/8 inch to prevent tripping hazards.
Question 7: An inspector observes dark streaking on a bathroom ceiling with no active roof leak. The most probable cause is:
- Condensation from inadequate exhaust ventilation (Correct answer)
- Galvanic corrosion from metal fasteners
- Radiant heat loss through the ceiling
- Pest activity in the attic above
Correct answer: Condensation from inadequate exhaust ventilation
Dark mold or mildew streaking on bathroom ceilings without roof leaks typically results from moisture-laden air condensing on a poorly ventilated surface.
NHIE Interior Inspection 2
When inspecting interior walls, which condition most strongly indicates moisture intrusion behind the surface?