10194194Home Inspection
Course Information
Description
Covers the residential inspection process from start to finish and may be used as an inspectors guide in the field. Home Inspection is an art of identifying problem areas through observation. The course deals with various elements of a home including soils, foundation, construction, plumbing and roofing. The course also deals with changes in public policy regarding home inspectors.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Investigate the professional practice of home inspection
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you identify the goal of a home inspection
    you recognize the scope of a home inspection
    you identify the tolls typically used by a home inspector to perform a standard inspection
    you identify the home inspection process including pre-inspection routine, introductory discussion, actual inspection, closing discussion, and written report
    you identify the sections of the American Society of Home Inspectors' Standards of Practice
    you determine whether a given building component is covered in the Standards
    you identify seven issues addressed in the American Society of Home Inspectors' Code of Ethics including applying each of these principles
    you recognize how the home inspection process fits into residential real estate transactions
    you recognize the home inspector's need for continuing education styles

  2. Examine the structural systems and components of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you recognize the effect of expansive soils on foundation systems
    you identify likely causes of common foundation cracks and failures
    you recognize basics of masonry chimney construction
    you identify considerations in allowable span of framing members
    you recognize common terms used to describe foundation types
    you recognize terminology and basic function of truss components
    you identify common framing components and recognize terminology
    you identify styles of wood framing
    you recognize function of seismic and wind-resistant construction and hardware
    you use common terminology in identifying problems associated with masonry construction

  3. Examine the exteriors of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you recognize types of wall sheathing and cladding
    you recognize techniques for ply wood siding installation
    you identify installation techniques and terminology for stucco construction
    you identify installation techniques for EIFS, hardboard, and other cladding
    you identify installation techniques for masonry walls and masonry veneer
    you recognize effects of defective installation of cladding materials
    you identify appropriate dimensions for stair rise and run
    you recognize terminology and components of area drain systems
    you identify locations for safety glazing and times first required
    you recognize failures in insulated glass
    you identify common defects in windows

  4. Examine roofing of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you identify proper installation techniques for wood shake roofing
    you identify proper installation techniques for wood shingle roofing
    you identify proper installation techniques for tile and slate roofing
    you recognize defects and terminology for metal roofing
    you identify the characteristics of different roofing material
    you distinguish proper from defective valley installations
    you identify common defects in single ply roof systems
    you recognize terminology and characteristics of single ply roof systems
    you evaluate installations of rain gutter and downspouts
    you identify corrective actions needed for common defects in built-up roofing
    you identify slope requirements for different types of roofing materials
    you identify deck and sheathing requirement for different types of roofing material
    you identify the areas of a roof system most likely to wear or require maintenance
    you recognize common terminology used to describe roofing systems and styles

  5. Examine the electrical components of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you identify main shutoff requirements at electrical service
    you recognize signs of inadequate electrical service capacity
    you recognize ampacity and voltage ratings of service
    you explain the basic function of grounding at electrical services
    you identify appropriate grounding of panels
    you identify the basic function of GFCIs
    you identify the proper location of GFCIs
    you recognize improper installation of wire and cable systems
    you determine the minimum requirements for lighting locations
    you identify types of fuses used in older homes
    you recognize installation requirements for electric air conditioners
    you recognize defects in circuit breaker or fuse installations
    you determine the function of circuit breakers
    you identify problems with aluminum wire

  6. Examine the interior of buildings including insulation and ventilation
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you recognize defects in clothes dryer venting systems
    you identify methods of measuring stair headroom
    you recognize defective stairway construction
    you recognize defective installations of thermal insulation
    you recognize preferred locations for smoke detectors
    you identify causes of condensation in attics and other areas
    you identify appropriate types of insulation for different applications
    you recognize construction of separation walls
    you identify safety glazing
    you recognize locations where safety glass is required
    you identify ventilation screening and duct requirements

  7. Examine the plumbing of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you recognize cause of common interior plumbing fixture problems
    you identify proper techniques for origin piping systems
    you identify proper materials and methods for gas piping installations
    you identify ranges of excessive or inadequate water pressure or flow
    you recognize defective intermixing of piping systems
    you identify proper piping support spacing
    you identify purpose of traps and vents
    you recognize defective traps
    you recognize signs of defective venting or drain slope
    you identify basic components of gas appliance valves and their fucntion
    you recognize defective gas connector installations
    you identify defective locations for gas water heaters
    you recognize installation defects in water heaters
    you identify techniques for water heater inspection

  8. Examine the heating of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you recognize common terminology used to measure heating capacity
    you identify fuel sources for heating equipment
    you differentiate the characteristics of fossil fuel types
    you recognize improper locations and installation of heating equipment
    you identify accessory items and components of furnaces
    you identify components of all major types of heating systems
    you differentiate between high efficiency and low efficiency furnaces
    you determine operating temperature ranges of modern furnaces and boilers
    you recognize common furnace inspection techniques
    you recognize defective flue and chimney installations and terminations
    you identify termnology for appliance vents
    you recognize venting requirements for direct vent appliances
    you identify principles and recognize types of electric resistance heating
    you recognize defective furnace installations and components
    you identify combustion air requirements for different types of heating systems
    you recognize proper installations and defects in duct systems
    you identify pressure ranges in warm water and steam systems

  9. Examine heat pumps and air conditioning of buildings
    Assessment Strategies
    on a written evaluation
    Criteria
    you identify air conditioning and heat pump components
    you identify refrigeration cycles in air conditioners and heat pumps
    you recognize defects in condensate drains
    you identify required alterations when a system is retrofit with air conditioning
    you recognize effect of different types of duct systems on overall system performance
    you differentiate between heat pumps, furnaces, and air conditioners
    you identify the functioning of evaporative coolers
    you recognize proper performance parameters for AC and heat pump systems
    you recognize terminology used in describing sizes of AC and heat pump systems