Thinking about doing your own home inspection? Try this aptitude test to see how you do. If you score less than 100% you should consider hiring a professional, such as Steven L. Smith of King of the House Inc and home inspection training coordinator at Bellingham Technical College.

References to building codes
1. are an essential part of the inspection process
2. should be avoided
3. are cited only if safety concerns are present
4. are cited if city code violations are apparent, but county and state codes are ignored
This new luxury home overlooks the bay. It has been approved for occupancy by the city building inspector. Which statement is correct?
1. The porch and steps are satisfactory
2. The steps slope toward the foundation and there will be drainage issues
3. There should be a yellow caution stripe at the top edge of the porch
4. The porch and steps are dangerous
The lower connection, inside a main electric panel, is
1. "double tapping", a safety concern
2. an acceptable way of extending the capacity of a service panel
3. allowed as long as there are no more than two such connections in the panel
4. color-coded wrong
In the bathroom, above a cabinet, you find sawdust. What are you seeing?
1. There is no way to know
2. Sawdust left by a woodworker
3. Evidence of carpenter ants
4. Evidence of termites
This photo is an excellent example of
1. an amateur, and unattractive, installation of gutters and downspouts
2. a good installation of gutters and downspouts
3. downspouts that will not survive the windy season
4. a good installation of gutters, but a poor installation of downspouts
This cap, above the sewer vent stack at a new home, is
1. designed to allow sewer gas out, but to keep rain from leaking in
2. installed in modern construction to prevent back flow
3. essential if the home has high hydrostatic pressure
4. an oversight that will negatively impact drains
Conventional 3-tab composition shingles are installed on the upper roof. The slope is 1/12. Which is the correct statement?
1. the only acceptable roofing material, at the upper roof, would be torch down
2. composition shingles are not suitable for the upper roof and will probably leak
3. composition shingles are the best option for the upper roof
4. shakes would be more suitable on the upper roof
The drain line on the water heater temperature pressure relief valve
1. should be PVC
2. is satisfactory
3. is unsafe and could lead to an explosion
4. is never required but optional
This notched crawl space beam
1. is an unusual discovery
2. should have a 2x4 attached to stiffen it
3. is not an unusual discovery
4. was correctly modifed by a knowledgeable plumber
This branch circuit wiring is energized and
1. safe if the home was built prior to 1953
2. always has a ground conductor
3. must be removed from service if it is discovered
4. will make it difficult to affordably insure the house
This is a post in the crawl space at a new home. Which is the true statement?
1. A contractor took a shortcut
2. If this is pressure treated wood there is no problem
3. The concrete pier is missing
4. This is standard, good quality construction
This water supply tubing is
1. PEX, a common material
2. out of date and never found in homes today
3. PVC which is not allowed
4. Polybutylene
The white crystals, that look like salt, on this gas furnace are
1. normal and indicate that cleaning is in order
2. an indication of insufficient combustion air or poor venting
3. residue from cleaning solvents used the last time the furnace was cleaned
4. a condition that confirms carbon monoxide poisoning is taking place inside the home
This chimney
1. has a rusted flashing that makes it likely there will be a water leak into the attic
2. has no head flashing which is a bigger problem than the rust
3. has a rusted flashing and it is probable that a stray spark could escape into the attic and cause a fire
4. has purely cosmetic issues
The wood members, nailed at opposite sides of the beam and the post, are
1. purlins
2. positive connections
3. sisters
4. chords
This 1/4" copper tubing and valve is
1. a main water shutoff that is undersized
2. typically sized for the cold water shutoff in an older home
3. probably supplying water to a freezer ice maker
4. an indication there could be a problem that might cost thousands of dollars to remedy
This insulation on the heating duct
1. is deteriorated and should be removed and thrown in the trash
2. is deteriorated and will have to be treated as hazardous waste
3. has created rust on the metal ducting
4. is unimportant either way because heat ducts do not require insulation
This vinyl siding
1. will not rot so earth contact is acceptable
2. is grounded in this manner to reduce the chances of an electrical shock
3. should not be below grade
4. is less vulnerable to mechanical damage when it is partially below grade
In an older home, with a leaking sink, there is wood damage in the crawl space. What are you seeing?
1. Dry rot
2. Wood decay fungi
3. Wet wood
4. Teredo activity
This water pressure reading is
1. high
2. normal
3. low
4. average to good
The top four conductors are single-strand solid aluminum wire. Which is the true statement?
1. Aluminum wiring is outdated and dangerous
2. Aluminum wiring is only safe in commercial applications
3. Single-strand solid aluminum wiring is a safety hazard
4. It is stranded aluminum wire, not single-strand solid, that is dangerous
Which is the true statement regarding the B-vent installation?
1. It is satisfactory
2. B-vents typically vent bathroom exhaust fans
3. Insulation packed around a B-vent reduces condensation
4. This installation is unsafe
This is a
1. knot in painted cedar siding
2. clue that serious siding problems are likely to be found
3. a common symbol on hardboard siding
4. manufacturer's symbol that assures quality
This fireplace insert
1. is satisfactory
2. has a bent door
3. has a short hearth
4. by environmental law, must be replaced
This sink trap
1. is satisfactory
2. is prone to blockages and requires frequent cleaning
3. might allow sewer gas into the house
4. is called a P-trap
This roof
1. is normal, and in acceptable condition, for a roof in the wet Pacific Northwest
2. is worn out and must be replaced
3. is probably protected against leaks by a manufacturer's warranty
4. requires cleaning
In the crawl space, the wood is powdery and has small holes. What are you seeing?
1. Old wood that has lost its luster
2. Powderpost beetle damage
3. Anobiid beetle damage
4. Dry rot
The window drip cap flashing, marked with the red arrow, is
1. installed too high
2. satisfactory
3. the wrong shape
4. installed too low
The letters, shown on the sketch of the home, indicate
1. locations prone to heat loss
2. areas that allow cold air to enter the home
3. areas that should have passive ventilation
4. locations that are vulnerable to entry by wood destroying organisms
This distribution, or sub-panel, in a condominium
1. is unsafe because the neutral and ground busses are bonded to one another
2. should be wired the same way as the main panel
3. is unsafe because the neutral and ground busses are not bonded to one another
4. can be wired either way, just as long as the earth ground is attached to the metal panel

Thinking about doing your own home inspection? Try this aptitude test to see how you do. If you score less than 100% you should consider hiring a professional, such as Steven L. Smith of King of the House Inc and home inspection training coordinator at Bellingham Technical College.

Quiz