National Home Inspector Exam (NHIE) Sample Questions and Explanations

GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection is required where water and electricity are likely to meet. Common locations include bathrooms, kitchen countertops, garages, outdoors, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, laundry areas, and near sinks.

Wrong choices

• Bedrooms: Bedrooms commonly need AFCI protection, not GFCI.
• Hallway ceiling lights: Hallway lighting is not a typical GFCI location.
• Clothes closets: Closets are not a typical GFCI receptacle location.

A GFCI compares the current going out on the hot wire with the current coming back on the neutral. If a small amount (about 5 milliamps) is missing, it may be flowing through a person to ground, so the GFCI shuts off power quickly to prevent a serious shock.

Wrong choices

• Fires caused by arcing in the wiring: That is the job of an AFCI.
• Power surges from lightning: Surge protectors handle surges.
• Overloaded circuits: Overloads are handled by breakers and fuses.

The filter catches dust before it reaches the blower and coil. A clogged filter restricts airflow, makes the system run longer, can overheat a furnace, and can freeze an AC coil. Changing filters is routine maintenance that inspectors commonly recommend.

Wrong choices

• Higher airflow through the ducts: A dirty filter blocks air; it does not increase it.
• Lower electric bills: Restricted airflow makes the system work harder, often raising bills.
• Carbon monoxide in the water heater: The filter has nothing to do with the water heater.

The heat exchanger keeps burner gases separate from the air blown through the house. If it cracks, combustion gases, including carbon monoxide, can enter the living space. Suspected cracks call for evaluation by a qualified HVAC contractor.

Wrong choices

• Cause the air conditioner coil to freeze: Coil freezing is an airflow or refrigerant issue.
• Make the furnace run more quietly: Noise is not the concern.
• Increase the water pressure: The heat exchanger has nothing to do with water pressure.

The TPR discharge pipe carries scalding water safely away if the valve opens. Under common codes, it is typically the same size as the valve outlet, drains by gravity, has no valves, ends within about 6 inches of the floor or at another approved place, and has no threads at the end (so it cannot be capped).

Wrong choices

• Threaded and capped at the end to prevent drips: A capped line would block the valve from working.
• Pointing up toward the ceiling: The pipe must drain by gravity; it should not run uphill.
• Reduced to a smaller pipe size: The pipe must not be smaller than the valve outlet.

If a water heater's controls fail, the water can overheat and pressure can build until the tank bursts. The TPR valve opens at about 150 psi or 210 °F to release water and prevent this. Its discharge line must be installed so the water goes somewhere safe.

Wrong choices

• Controls the water temperature setting: The thermostat controls water temperature.
• Prevents backflow into the city water main: That is the job of backflow preventers or check valves.
• Reduces the incoming water pressure: A pressure-reducing valve does that.

A clear defect statement has three parts: what the inspector saw and where (observation), why it matters (implication), and what to do about it (recommendation, often including who should do it). This helps the client understand and act.

Wrong choices

• Only a photo, with no written comment: Photos help, but the client also needs a description, the reason it matters, and a recommendation.
• The inspector's opinion of the asking price: Price opinions are outside the inspector's role.
• A guarantee of the repair cost: Inspectors do not guarantee repair costs.

Reports often sort findings into safety hazards, major defects, and maintenance items. A missing guard on a raised deck creates a serious fall risk, so it is a safety hazard. Filters, paint, and drips are maintenance or minor repairs.

Wrong choices

• A dirty furnace filter: This is routine maintenance.
• Peeling paint on exterior trim: This is maintenance unless lead paint is a separate concern.
• A dripping faucet: This is a minor repair.

The granules on asphalt shingles protect the asphalt from the sun's UV rays. As a roof ages, granules wash off and collect in gutters and at downspouts. Bare or smooth patches mean the shingles are wearing out and may need replacing soon.

Wrong choices

• The roof was installed very recently: A new roof may shed a few loose granules, but heavy loss means wear.
• The attic is too cold: Attic temperature does not knock granules off shingles.
• The flashing was installed too tightly: Flashing has nothing to do with granule loss.

Where a sloped roof runs up against a wall, short L-shaped pieces of metal are woven in with each course of shingles. This is step flashing. The siding or counterflashing laps over it. Missing or poorly installed step flashing is a common source of leaks.

Wrong choices

• Drip edge: Drip edge goes along the eaves and rakes, not along a sidewall.
• Ridge cap: Ridge cap shingles cover the peak of the roof.
• Gutter apron: A gutter apron directs water into the gutter at the eave.