Course Display

Communication and Professional Practice
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

describe the difference between a home inspection and an appraisal
indicate the average time required to complete a home inspection
list four advantages of having clients attend the inspection
describe what a home inspector's clothing and vehicle should reflect
list ten basic tools that home inspectors typically use
list the four parts of a home inspection and the amount of time typically spent on each
list a typical routine or flow of an inspection
describe the macro/micro approach to home inspection
list ten things inspectors commonly fail to put back the way they found
describe the purpose of the closing discussion
list four reasons reports are needed
list ten common components of the body of the report, and give an example of each

Exteriors
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

identify ten types of exterior siding material
recognize soffits and fascia
describe how windows and doors are made weather-tight
describe the function of trim, flashings, and caulkings
list the common problems with each of the types of siding, soffits, fascia, windows, doors, trim, flashing, and caulking
recognize structural and safety components, including steps, railings, columns, beams, joists, floors, roofs, skirting, doors, drains, and walls
assess the grading of the land around a house and recognize the effects of poor grading
identify what gutters and downspouts are made of and assess their condition
understand how window wells are built, what common problems can be found with them, and the implications of the problems
inspect walks, driveways, and grounds for their condition and usability to the occupant
understand how retaining walls are built and how they fail
list the common implications of failure or non-performance for each component
describe the inspection strategy and tools necessary to identify common problems with each component

Roofing
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list three roof functions
define roof pitch and square
describe four components of the goal of the roof inspection
be familiar with the installation details associated with different kinds of roofing materials.
recognize and distinguish the different types of roofing materials
understand the typical conditions for various roofing materials and how to inspect for them
know the inspection strategies used to identify roof problems
identify the various types of steep roof and low-slope roof flashings
know the materials and locations where flashings are used
know the common problems associated with flashings
describe the problems specific to low-slope roofs

Structure
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list nine steps in crack analysis
define dead loads and live loads
list twelve common foundation problems
list four types of cracks, their characteristics and implications
describe how crack size can be misleading
list four things you may recommend to clients with respect to cracks
know the implications of pier movement and how to identify it
understand the function of sills and common sill problems.
list common problems with columns and their implications.
describe the function of beams and common problems associated with them.
list twelve common joist problems
list nine subflooring problems
list seven concrete floor problems
list six common problems with masonry walls in addition to cracks.
list seven common wood frame wall problems
list nine common lintel problems
define rafters, roof joists and ceiling joists and identify the common problems associated with each
identify different types of trusses, including functions and typical conditions associated with them.
know the function of sheathing, the types available and common conditions associated with it

Insulation
Learning objectives
By the end of this unit you should be able to:

define the terms insulation, vapor retarder, and air barrier, including their purposes
describe the implications of inadequate insulation and air/vapor barrier
name two kinds of house ventilation
define thermal bridges and perm
list eight common insulation materials and their forms
describe the issues surrounding urea formaldehyde foam insulation
give two reasons it is important to control air movement through building walls and roofs
list six qualities of a good air barrier and five qualities of a good vapor barrier
indicate whether vapor barriers should be on the warm or cold side of walls
explain why a vapor barrier should be laid on an earth floor in a crawlspace
list the functions and types of roof vents
give two reasons for venting house air
list three general approaches to ventilation
state at least three precautions you should take when inspecting attics
list the ventilation-related problems (and their implications) you may find in attics
list three common problems with wall insulation
list nine common problems with basement and crawlspace insulation and ventilation
list seven common areas where insulation may be provided over unheated spaces
list ten problems with exhaust fans, and their implications

Electrical Systems
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

recognize the electrical service drop and service entrance and how they should be arranged
determine the size of the service and how to advise your client about it
recognize the problems commonly found on the service drop and their implications
identify common problems found on service entrance conductors and their implications
understand the function of the service box or service panel
be familiar with the arrangement and location of the service box
recognize the common conditions found in service boxes and their implications
know the functions of grounding and bonding
understand the common problems found in system grounds and their implications
identify 17 common problems with branch circuit wiring, and their implications
recognize conditions found in all panels, as well as those unique to subpanels, fuses, breakers and panel wires
explain the relative advantages of fuses and breakers
understand how wires should be connected and supported
understand how to identify knob-and-tube wire and the issues associated with it
know how to identify aluminum wiring and the issues associated with it
be familiar with common problems at lights and receptacles and their implications
be familiar with the strategies for inspecting the various components of household electrical systems

Oil Furnaces
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list five problems found with oil storage tanks
list four problems found with oil, fill and vent pipes
list four problems found with oil supply lines
list two problems found with the oil filter
describe in five sentences the basic workings of an oil burner
list six problems found with oil burners
describe three different materials commonly used for refractories
list two problems found with refractories
describe the function of and problems associated with the primary controller
describe the operation of a barometric damper
list six problems commonly associated with the barometric damper
list twelve problems associated with the vent connector
describe the basic difference between a mid-efficiency and a conventional oil furnace, and list two of the concerns

Other Aspects of Heating
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list five components of masonry chimneys
list 25 common masonry chimney problems and their implications
list 13 common metal chimney or vent problems and their implications
define in one sentence each creosote, ash and soot
list four main components of a wood stove
describe the difference between radiant and convective stoves
list 25 common wood stove problems
describe in one sentence three types of wood-burning fireplaces
list seven components of masonry fireplaces and their common problems
describe the implication of each problem
identify electric heating systems
recognize all of the components and describe each of their functions
list the common problems encountered with electric heating systems
describe the implications of each of these problems

Plumbing
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

describe functional flow
list three things that can go wrong with supply piping
list four factors which affect the pressure or flow at a fixture
describe the location and function of a water pressure regulator
list six problems commonly found with pressure regulators
list seven different materials used for supply piping
describe the weaknesses and strengths of each type of pipe
list four common problems with service piping
describe seven problems found with supply piping
identify common water heaters and recognize all of their components
list the common problems found with various types of water heaters
identify common drain, waste and vent materials and distinguish their function
list the common problems found with each DWV component
describe the implication of nonperformance of these components
describe the inspection strategy for identifying problems
identify each of the major plumbing fixtures, their function, and how they should be connected to the plumbing system
list the common problems found with each fixture, their implications, and the inspection strategy used to identify them

Interiors
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list the problems and implications related to concrete, wood, carpet, resilient, and ceramic flooring
list the problems and implications related to plaster, drywall, and wood walls
list two party wall problems and their implications
describe two inspection strategies that help with ceiling inspections
list the problems and implications related to plaster, drywall, metal, and wood ceilings
list five trim problems and their implications
list nine countertop problems and their implications
list twelve cabinet problems and their implications
define tread width, rise, run, stringer, winder, guardrail, handrail, and baluster as they apply to interior stairs
list 35 common problems with stairs and their implications
list four window functions and eight common window types
list six frame problems and their implications
list eight sash problems and their implications
list six interior trim problems and their implications
list six glass problems and their implications
list five hardware problems and their implications
explain how window size or location can be a problem
list thirteen door and frame problems and their implications
list six implications of basement and crawlspace problems
list twenty signs of moisture in basements and crawlspaces

Gas Furnaces
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list and describe the two most common types of gas burners
describe the function of the gas valve, pilot light and thermocouple, on a residential furnace
list nine conditions that may be found with gas combustion equipment
list two problems commonly found with gas furnace heat exchangers
list six problems found with furnace cabinetry
describe the setting and function of the three fan/limit controls
list six problems found with fan controls
list seven conditions found with thermostats
list eleven conditions that are found with vent connectors
list eight components of the duct system in a forced air system
list twelve problems with duct systems
list twelve components of a conventional gas-fired furnace
outline the four basic components of the inspection and testing procedure for a conventional gas furnace
list the components of an induced-draft condensing furnace
list and describe the eight common problems found with high-efficiency furnaces
outline the basic testing procedure for a high-efficiency furnace
describe the life expectancies of different efficiency gas furnaces

Hot Water Boilers
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

list four materials used in boiler construction
list ten differences between boilers and furnaces
list the advantages and disadvantages of hot water heat
list three problems found with boiler heat exchangers
list and describe in one sentence the function of the four types of automatic safety controls
list fifteen problems found with automatic safety controls
describe eight normal operating controls
list the common problems found with these operating controls
List four problems found with expansion tanks
list three problems found with pumps
list four problems found with pipes
list the eight problems found with radiators, convectors and baseboards
list the four problems found with radiant heating
list the four problems found with tankless coils
list the problems found with high-efficiency boilers
understand how long different boilers last
understand how to use a general rule to determine the adequacy of the boiler capacity

Air conditioning and Heat Pumps
Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit you should be able to:

define in one sentence each the function of the compressor, condenser, evaporator and expansion device
describe in two sentences how air conditioners dehumidify
list ten factors that affect how much air conditioning is needed
explain the implications of an undersized air conditioning system
explain the implications of an oversized air conditioning system
describe the location of the air conditioning compressor
describe in one sentence the function of a crankcase heater
list nine common compressor problems
describe the location and function of the condenser fan and the evaporator fan
list four common condenser fan problems
list seven common evaporator fan problems
list eight common duct problems
describe the function and appropriate locations for thermostats
list seven thermostat problems
give the normal life expectancy for conventional air conditioner compressors
list nine tricks for identifying heat pumps
list seven common heat pump problems

Appliances
Learning Objectives

Most major household appliances have life spans of 10 to 20 years. They can cost several hundred dollars to replace, but do not generally play a major part in the decision to buy a house. Appliances can be changed much more easily than the structure, roof, plumbing, heating or electrical systems.
This appendix provides an overview of some common household appliances. A tremendous variety of appliances are available, and not all are considered in these pages. We recommend that owner's manuals be consulted for regular maintenance on all household appliances. If the manuals are not on hand, they are usually available from the manufacturer.
Household appliances may be built in, or portable (often referred to as freestanding). Generally speaking, installed appliances will remain with the house when it is sold, but freestanding appliances are often removed. The purchase agreement normally stipulates which appliances stay with the house.

Contact Hours: 100