NHIE STUDY GUIDE. Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

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1 NHIE STUDY GUIDE Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors

2 Contents ix Table of Contents 1 About the national home inspector examination (NHIE)...1 INTRODUCTION...1 DEVELOPMENT OF THis study guide...1 ABOUT THE EXAMINATION BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL HOME INSPECTORS (EBPHI)...2 HOME INSPECTION REGULATION...2 THE NATIONAL HOME INSPECTION EXAMination (NHIE)...2 ONLINE PRACTICE Examination the national home inspector examination content outline...3 PERFORMANCE DOMAIN I: BUILDING SCIENCE...3 Task 1 - Site Conditions... 3 Task 2 - Exterior Components... 4 Task 3 -Structural Components... 5 Task 4 -The Electrical System... 6 Task 5 - The Cooling System... 7 Task 6 - The Heating System... 7 Task 7 - Insulation and Ventilation... 8 Task 8 - The Plumbing System... 9 Task 9 - The House Interior Task 10 - Fireplaces and Chimneys Task 11 - Kitchen Appliances Task 12 - Swimming Pools and Spas PERFORMANCE DOMAIN II: ANALYSIS AND REPORTING OF FINDINGS...13 Task 1 - Minimum Report Contents Task 2 - Inspection Methods and Limitations Task 3 - Deficiency Statements Task 4 - Action Recommendations PERFORMANCE DOMAIN III: INSPECTION BUSINESS OPERATION...15 Task 1 - Contracts Task 2 - Legal Concepts and Insurance reference materials for the national home inspector examination...16 Primary references for NHIE questions...16 secondary references for NHIE questions scheduling and taking the national home inspector examination...18 A NOTE ABOUT BUILDING CODES...18 SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS...18 EXAMINATION SCHEDULING PROCEDURES...18 Examination Fee Internet Registration Telephone Registration... 19

3 x NHIE Home Inspection Manual Fax Registration Mail Registration Cancelling and Rescheduling an Appointment Missed Appointment or Late Cancellation Special Examination Arrangements Examination Site Closing for an Emergency Reporting to the Examination Site Required Identification at the Examination Site Examination Site Security Orientation to the Examination Area Pretest Questions Examination Review How the NHIE is Scored Reporting Your Score Using Your Score Report Duplicate Score Reports Examination Center Policies strategies for success when taking high stakes examinations...24 Purpose of this chapter...24 INTRODUCTION...24 HOW EXAMinations ARE DEVELOPED...24 Types of Items on an Examination...27 Computer Delivered Examinations...28 Candidate information Bulletin...28 Admission Letter...29 Reducing Test Anxiety...29 Examination Time Item Strategies Best Answer Qualifiers Strategic Guessing What to do When Unsure At The End The Question/Comment Form Challenging Items on the Examination Summary sample examination questions index... 54

4 NHIE HOME INSPECTION MANUAL Bruce A. Barker

5 NHIE Home Inspection Manual Copyright 2015 by Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors, Inc. (EBPHI) All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or retransmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright holder. Publisher s Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bruce A. Barker NHIE home inspection manual / Bruce A. Barker Includes bibliographic references and index. ISBN 13: Housing- Standards --Popular works. 2. Building laws--popular works. 3. Dwellings--Design and construction--standards--popular works. I Title.

6 Contents xi table of contents 1: site conditions...1 INTRODUCTION...1 SITE COMPONENT TERMS...1 RETAINING WALLS...2 Introduction... 2 Construction... 3 Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards... 5 GRADE AND DRAINAGE...5 Introduction... 5 Common Drainage Systems... 7 Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards... 8 VEGETATION...9 Introduction... 9 Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards DRIVEWAYS, WALKWAYS, AND PATIOS...10 Driveway Walkway Patio Construction Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards STOOPS AND PORCHES...15 Introduction Construction Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards BALCONIES...17 Introduction Construction Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards DECKS...19 Introduction Construction Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards review QUESTIONS : exterior components...33 Introduction Exterior Component Terms WALL COVERINGS AND RELATED TRIM Introduction Adhered Masonry Veneer Aluminum Siding (also Steel Siding) Asbestos Cement Siding Brick Veneer (also Natural Stone)... 37

7 xii NHIE Home Inspection Manual Fiber Cement Siding Hardboard Siding Insulbrick Siding Stucco Cement Stucco EIFS Vinyl Siding Wood Structural Panel Siding Wood Siding Wall Covering Trim EAVES AND ASSOCIATED TRIM EXTERIOR DOORS...51 Hinged Doors Sliding Doors Bulkhead Doors Door Safety Issues Defects, Maintenance, Safety, Standards EXTERIOR WINDOWS...57 Window Safety Issues STEEP SLOPE ROOF COVERINGS Introduction Asbestos Cement Shingles Asphalt (Fiberglass) Shingles Concrete and Clay Tiles Fiber Cement Roofing Metal Shingles Metal Panels Slate Shingles Synthetic Component (Polymer) Roof Coverings Wood Shingles and Shakes Ice Dams LOW SLOPE ROOF COVERINGS Introduction Built-Up Roof Membranes (BURs) Mineral-Surfaced Roll Roofing Modified Bitumen Roofing Polyurethane Foam Roofing Single-ply Membrane Roofing ROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEMS Gutters (Steep Slope Roof Drainage) Low Slope Roof Drainage FLASHING AND SEALANTS...91 Keeping Water Out of the Home Wall Penetration Flashing Roof Penetration Flashing Sidewall and Headwall Flashing Flashing Defects, Maintenance, Standards... 99

8 Contents xiii SKYLIGHTS review QUESTIONS : structural components Introduction Structural Component Terms FOUNDATIONS Forces Affecting Houses Footings, Piles, Piers, and Columns Basement Foundation Crawl Space Foundation Slab-on-Grade Foundation Slab-on-Stem Wall Foundation Slab Foundation Reinforcement Slab Foundation Defects and Standards FLOOR SYSTEM Introduction Dimension Lumber Floor Systems Wood I-Joists and Engineered Wood (Floors and Roofs) Floor Trusses WALL SYSTEM Introduction Fireblocking and Fire Separation Foam Plastic Materials Wood-Framed Wall Systems Concrete Masonry Unit (CMU) and Structural Brick Wall Systems Insulating Concrete Forms Wall Systems Structural Insulated Panel Wall Systems (SIPS) Uncommon Wall Materials and Systems ROOF AND CEILING SYSTEM Introduction Roof Styles Dimension Lumber Roof Systems Typical Construction Techniques Truss Roof Systems Wood I-Joists and Engineered Wood Roof Systems Attic Access REVIEW QUESTIONS : the electrical system Introduction Electrical System Terms Updating the Electrical System to Current Requirements ELECTRICAL SERVICE Grounding and Bonding Electrical Service Ratings (Capacity)

9 xiv NHIE Home Inspection Manual Electrical Service Drop and Service Lateral Service Equipment, Panelboards, and Enclosures ELECTRICAL PANEL INTERIORS Electrical Panel Inspection Safety Overcurrent Protection Devices (OPDs) Other Typical Defects Inside Panelboard Enclosures Subpanel Grounding and Bonding Potential Problem Panelboards WIRING METHODS Modern Wiring Methods Old Wiring Methods Solid-conductor Aluminum Wiring RECEPTACLES, SWITCHES, LIGHTS, AND APPLIANCES Receptacles Switches Lighting Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Alarms REVIEW QUESTIONS : the cooling system Introduction Cooling System Terms AIR CONDITIONING EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATIONS HOW AIR CONDITIONERS WORK Introduction Basic Theory States of Matter The Cooling Cycle The Heat Pump Heating Cycle DETERMINING AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAPACITY Introduction Air Conditioning System Capacity Determination INSPECTING AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Introduction Operating Air Conditioning Systems Inspecting Package Systems Inspecting Window Units and Through-Wall Units Inspecting Replacement Condenser Units Inspecting Mini-Split Systems Inspecting Evaporative (Swamp) Coolers Determining System Capacity and Age Temperature Drop Inspection Current Draw Measurement Service Access Inspection RELATED AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPONENTS Primary Condensate Disposal System

10 Contents xv Auxiliary Condensate Management System Refrigerant Line Set Thermostats AIR DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Air Distribution System Types Air Distribution System Design Low Pressure Ducts High Pressure Ducts Return Ducts and Inlets Filters REVIEW QUESTIONS : the heating system Introduction Heating System Terms HOW HEAT TRANSFER WORKS HOW COMBUSTION WORKS COMBUSTION AIR DETERMINING HEATING SYSTEM CAPACITY Introduction Heating System Capacity Determination HEATING EQUIPMENT CLASSIFICATIONS INSPECTING HEATING SYSTEMS GAS APPLIANCE CATEGORIES GAS FORCED-AIR FURNACES GAS floor furnaces AND OIL FLOOR FURNACES GAS wall furnaces AND OIL WALL FURNACES GAS room heaters AND OIL ROOM HEATERS (VENTED) GAS appliances AND OIL APPLIANCES (UNVENTED) GAS decorative fireplaces AND OIL DECORATIVE FIREPLACES (VENTED) CATEGORY I GAS VENT SYSTEMS SPECIAL GAS VENT SYSTEMS OIL HEATING SYSTEMS Oil Burners OIL VENT SYSTEMS ELECTRIC HEATING SYSTEMS Electric Heating System Types Electric Central Forced-air Furnaces (Air Handlers) Distributed Electric Heaters (Baseboard Heaters) Electric Radiant Heating Systems HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEMS Hot Water Boiler Components

11 xvi NHIE Home Inspection Manual STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Introduction Steam Heating System Types Steam Heating System Operating Cycle Steam Heating Distribution Systems Steam Boiler Components SOLID FUEL HEATING SYSTEMS RELATED HEATING SYSTEM COMPONENTS FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS REVIEW QUESTIONS : insulation and ventilation Introduction Insulation and Ventilation Terms HOW INSULATION WORKS HOW VAPOR RETARDERS WORK THE HOUSE AS A SYSTEM COMMON TYPES OF INSULATION Batt Insulation Loose Fill/Blown-in Insulation Sheet/Rigid Insulation Spray Foam Insulation Other Insulation Types ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND MOISTURE MANAGEMENT COMPONENTS Water-Resistive Barriers (WRBs) Radiant Barriers Fenestration MECHANICAL VENTILATION AND EXHAUST Mechanical Ventilation Systems Whole-house Fans Local Exhaust Systems ATTIC VENTILATION Ventilated Attics Unventilated (Closed) Attic CRAWL SPACE VENTILATION Ventilated Crawl Spaces Unventilated (Closed) Crawl Spaces BASEMENT WALL INSULATION REVIEW QUESTIONS

12 Contents xvii 8: the plumbing system Introduction Plumbing System Terms WATER SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION PIPES General Water Supply and DWV Pipe Installation Requirements Copper Tubing Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) Galvanized Steel PEX Tubing Polybutylene (PB) Tubing Other Water Pipes Uncommon Water Pipes Water Connectors Water Valves PLUMBING FIXTURES Faucets and Similar Valves Bathtubs Showers and Tub/Showers Sinks Toilets, Bidets, Urinals Other Fixtures Backflow Prevention Water Treatment Devices Hot Water Circulation Systems WELLS Fire Suppression (Sprinkler) Systems Domestic Hot Water Systems (DHW) DRAIN, WASTE, AND VENT PIPES (DWV) Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipe Cast Iron Pipe Clay Sewer Pipe Galvanized Steel Pipe Orangeburg Sewer Pipe Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe Uncommon DWV Pipes DRAIN, WASTE, AND VENT (DWV) system components Traps and Fixture Drains Plumbing Vents Private Sewage Disposal Systems Sewage Ejectors, Backwater Valves, Sump Pumps Fuel Storage and Distribution Systems REVIEW QUESTIONS

13 xviii NHIE Home Inspection Manual 9: the house interior Introduction Interior Wall and Ceiling Finishes INTERIOR DOORS Cased Openings Hinged Swinging Doors Sliding Doors and Bifold Doors FLOOR COVERINGS Introduction Carpet Laminate Linoleum and Vinyl Tile and Stone Wood STAIRWAYS AND LANDINGS Introduction Stairways HANDRAILS AND GUARDS Handrails Guards CABINETS AND COUNTERTOPS Cabinets Countertops VEHICLE DOORS AND DOOR OPERATORS Vehicle Doors Vehicle Door Operators REVIEW QUESTIONS : fireplaces and chimneys Introduction Fireplace Terms MASONRY FIREPLACES Fireplace Components Fireplace Clearances to Combustibles FIREPLACE OPERATING EFFECTIVENESS Introduction Combustion Air Fireplace Doors MASONRY CHIMNEYS Introduction Chimney Construction FACTORY-BUILT FIREPLACES AND CHIMNEYS Introduction Fireplace Chimney (Flue)

14 Contents xix GENERAL CHIMNEY ISSUES FIREPLACES INSERTS WOOD-BURNING STOVES CLEARANCE TO COMBUSTIBLES REDUCTION REVIEW QUESTIONS : kitchen appliances introduction Appliance Terms COOKTOP, RANGE, OVEN DISHWASHING MACHINE MICROWAVE OVEN AND EXHAUST HOOD FOOD-WASTE DISPOSER TRASH COMPACTOR REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS REVIEW QUESTIONS : swimming pools and spas Introduction Pool Inspection and Standards of Practice Pool Terms POOL SAFETY Introduction Access Barriers Entrapment Egress and Entrance POOL ELECTRICAL Introduction Receptacles and Switches Lights Near Pools Underwater Lights Overhead Wires Pool Electrical Supply Grounding and Bonding POOL SHELL AND INTERIOR FINISH Introduction In-ground Pool Shells Concrete Pool Finishes POOL DECK AND COPING CIRCULATION SYSTEM Introduction Pump Filter Skimmer

15 xx NHIE Home Inspection Manual Pipes and Valves Sanitation Systems Automatic Water Fill Systems Blower CLEANING SYSTEMS POOL HEATERS Introduction Gas Pool Heaters Heat Pump Pool Heaters and Solar Pool Heaters VEGETATION, GRADING, RETAINING WALLS REVIEW QUESTIONS : landscape irrigation systems Introduction Irrigation System Inspection and Standards of Practice Irrigation System Terms IRRIGATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS Water Source Backflow Prevention Pipes Valves Controllers Emitters Irrigation Systems Defects, Maintenance, Standards REVIEW QUESTIONS : analysis and reporting of findings INTRODUCTION TO INSPECTION SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS Inspection Scope Inspection Limitations STANDARDS OF PRACTICE (Sop) REPORT WRITING Communication Report Formats Deficiency Statements Deficient Conditions System and Component Descriptions Inspection Limitation Statements Other Report Contents INSPECTION TEST INSTRUMENTS THE INSPECTION PROCESS REVIEW QUESTIONS

16 Contents xxi 15: inspection business operation STARTING A HOME INSPECTION BUSINESS Introduction The Business Plan Types of Business Ownership Government Licensing and Registration Insurance Accounting and Financial Management BUSINESS LAW Introduction Dealing with Dissatisfied Clients Types of Home Inspector Liability inspection AGREEMENTS (CONTRACTS) Introduction Contract Basics Contract Contents (Required) Contract Contents (Optional) HOME INSPECTION ETHICS Introduction Conflicts of Interest Ethical Reporting Ethical Business Practices HOME INSPECTION MARKETING Introduction What is Marketing? Marketing the Intangible Features and Benefits Elements of a Marketing Plan Marketing Resources REVIEW QUESTIONS : answers to review questions : glossary index...639

Inspection Report. 1 of 8

Inspection Report. 1 of 8 Inspection Report Dayvolt's Home Inspections L.L.C. Date&Time of Inspection: 5/9/17, 12:10 PM Inspector's Name: Dustin Dayvolt Building Address: Sample City: State: Zip Code: Type of property inspected: