National Home Inspector Examination® (NHIE) flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Differential settlement

Uneven downward movement of a foundation caused by varying soil bearing capacity or moisture. Indicators include diagonal cracks at corners and cracks with offset or displacement.

Joist notch limit

In dimensional lumber, notches are allowed only in the top third of the joist, no deeper than one-sixth of the joist depth, and never in the middle third of the span.

Joist bored hole limit

Holes must not exceed one-third of the joist depth in diameter, must be at least 2 inches from the top and bottom edges, and must not be within 2 inches of a notch.

Rafter tie function

A horizontal member connecting opposing rafters at the wall plate that resists outward thrust. Missing or raised ties can allow walls to spread under roof load.

Ledger board flashing

Metal flashing must be installed over the deck ledger and behind the siding to shed water. Missing flashing causes hidden rot at the rim joist and is a common deck failure cause.

Chimney height rule

A masonry chimney must extend at least 3 feet above the roof at its highest penetration and at least 2 feet above any roof surface within 10 feet horizontally.

Load path continuity

The route by which building loads travel from roof to foundation. Breaks in the path, such as a beam not bearing on a post, are structural concerns to report.

Collar tie location

A horizontal member in the upper third of opposing rafters that reduces rafter span and deflection. Absent or loose collar ties in an attic are reportable framing conditions.

GFCI required locations

Ground-fault protection is required in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, unfinished basements, outdoors, crawl spaces, and near sinks and laundry areas. Test using the device test/reset button.

Open ground reading

A three-light receptacle tester showing an open ground means the grounding conductor is missing or disconnected. The circuit is ungrounded and should be evaluated by an electrician.

Double-tapped breaker

Two conductors connected under a single breaker terminal not listed for two conductors. This is a reportable panel defect because of overheating and loose connection risk.

TPR discharge pipe

The water heater temperature-pressure relief valve discharge must terminate within 6 inches of the floor or to the exterior, match the valve outlet diameter, and never be capped or reduced.

Flue slope requirement

A furnace or water heater flue must slope upward toward the chimney at least one-quarter inch per foot so combustion gases vent properly and condensation does not collect.

Backdrafting

Combustion gases spilling from a draft hood into the room rather than up the flue. Detected by flame disturbance or a mirror at the hood; indicates unsafe venting.

Gas connector rules

Flexible gas appliance connectors must be listed, must not pass through walls, floors, or ceilings, must not be concealed, and require a shutoff valve in the same room.

Polybutylene piping

A gray or blue plastic supply pipe used from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. It is prone to failure at fittings and is reported as a material with elevated leak risk.

Dryer vent length limit

Smooth metal duct is limited to about 25 feet of developed length for a 4-inch duct, reduced 5 feet per 90-degree elbow, and must terminate outdoors with a damper.

Service panel bonding

The panel enclosure and grounding electrode conductor must be bonded so fault current has a path to ground. Missing bonding straps or loose lugs are reportable conditions.

Cracked heat exchanger

A breach in the furnace heat exchanger that can allow carbon monoxide into supply air. Visible cracks, rust streaks, or flame roll-out warrant shutdown and licensed evaluation.

Visual inspection scope

A home inspection is a non-invasive visual examination of readily accessible systems and components. It is not a code inspection, warranty, or technically exhaustive evaluation.

Material defect

A condition with a significant adverse effect on the value, safety, or desirability of the property, or one not readily observable to an ordinary buyer.

Report limitations statement

The report must identify which systems were inspected and which were not, and state why, such as inaccessible, concealed, unsafe, or disclaimed by the client.

Pre-inspection agreement

A signed contract before inspection that defines scope, limitations, fee, and dispute resolution. It is the inspector's primary risk-management document and should be conspicuous.

Conflict of interest rule

An inspector should not accept compensation from parties with a financial interest in the transaction, nor perform repairs on a property inspected within a set period.

Standards of Practice

A published document defining the minimum systems to inspect, the exclusions, and the reporting requirements for an inspection. Inspectors must follow the version adopted by their state.

Continuing education hours

Most licensing states require a set number of CE hours per renewal cycle, commonly 16 to 24, along with adherence to a code of ethics and standards of practice.

Concealed condition

A system or component hidden from view, such as wiring inside walls or a foundation under a finished floor. It is excluded from the visual inspection and should be disclaimed.

Report recommendation language

Findings should be factual and condition-specific, using phrases such as observed, not observed, and recommend evaluation by a licensed contractor, while avoiding guarantees or life predictions.

Client confidentiality

Inspection findings belong to the client. Sharing the report with sellers or agents requires client consent, and the inspector should not disclose results to unauthorized parties.

Fee independence

The inspector sets fees independently and should not negotiate fees with real estate agents or accept referral-based compensation, because such arrangements compromise the inspector's impartiality.

Readily accessible

A system or component that can be observed without moving personal property, dismantling, or using tools beyond normal inspection equipment. Inaccessible areas must be reported as not inspected.

Good-faith examination

The standard of care for an inspection: an honest, diligent visual review performed within the agreed scope and limitations, not a guarantee that every defect will be found.