National Home Inspector Exam Prep Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Water management around a foundation is critical for preventing costly damage. This episode examines how proper grading and drainage systems protect homes from water intrusion, soil expansion, frost heave, and foundation damage. Learn why earth should slope 6 inches in the first 10 feet and how to identify drainage defects. We'll explore common drainage systems including swal...

Send us Fan Mail Trees, shrubs, and landscaping can either protect or damage a home. Learn when vegetation is in scope for home inspections and how to identify plants that threaten wall coverings, roof systems, and foundations. Understand the dangers of tree roots to underground plumbing, walkways, and foundations. We'll cover proper clearances, fire safety in wildfire-prone areas, and the im...

Send us Fan Mail Master the inspection of horizontal exterior surfaces that provide access and recreational space. Learn recommended widths, proper materials, and construction techniques for concrete, asphalt, flagstone, and pavers. Understand the importance of subbase preparation, slope requirements, and crack control joints. We'll identify common defects including settlement, uplift, cracki...

Send us Fan Mail Child safety around pools and spas is paramount - approximately 400 children die annually in pool-related accidents. Though technically out of scope, many inspectors examine these critical safety barriers. Learn the specifications for fences, walls, and gates designed to prevent unauthorized access. Understand self-closing and self-latching requirements, proper gate swing directio...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Home Inspector Training Manual: Plumbing Systems podcast series. In this inaugural episode, we explore the comprehensive scope of residential plumbing inspections and establish the foundation for understanding house plumbing systems. We begin by breaking down the four main components of a residential plumbing system: the water supply system, the drain-waste-vent (DW...

Send us Fan Mail Master the language of plumbing in this comprehensive terminology episode. Understanding plumbing terminology is essential for accurate inspections, clear reporting, and professional communication with clients and contractors. We cover over 80 essential plumbing terms that every home inspector must know, from basic fixtures to complex system components. Learn the differences betwe...

Send us Fan Mail Dive deep into the world of water supply piping in this comprehensive episode covering everything from water service pipes to distribution systems. Understanding pipe materials, proper installation methods, and common failure modes is crucial for effective plumbing inspections. We begin with general installation requirements that apply to all pipe types: freeze protection, punctur...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focuses on the critical components that control water flow and protect water quality in residential plumbing systems. Understanding valves, connectors, and backflow prevention devices is essential for identifying safety hazards and functional issues. We begin with water connectors, those short lengths of tubing connecting distribution pipes to fixtures and appliances....

Send us Fan Mail Explore the specialized world of private water supply systems and residential fire protection in this informative episode. While these systems are technically out of scope for standard home inspections, understanding their basics helps you provide better service and appropriate recommendations. The well systems segment covers everything from traditional hand-dug wells to modern dr...

Send us Fan Mail Master the complexities of domestic hot water systems in this comprehensive episode covering storage tank water heaters, tankless systems, and associated safety components. Water heaters are critical appliances that home inspectors must evaluate thoroughly. We begin with common installation requirements applicable to all water heater types: cold water shutoff valves, drain pans, r...

Send us Fan Mail Understand the drain, waste, and vent system that removes wastewater from homes in this detailed episode covering pipe materials, sizing, installation, and common problems. DWV systems are often less visible than water supply systems but equally critical to proper plumbing function. We start with general installation requirements: smooth interior surfaces, proper slope, and why pi...

Send us Fan Mail Master the complex world of DWV system components in this technical episode covering pipe slope, direction changes, fittings, and cleanouts. Understanding how drainage systems manage flow is essential for identifying improper installations and potential problems. We begin with the physics of drainage: why slope matters, how much slope is required, and why too much slope can be pro...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the critical but often misunderstood world of plumbing vents in this comprehensive episode. Vent systems protect trap water seals from siphoning and blowout, and understanding how they work is essential for identifying drainage problems. We begin by explaining the physics of vent systems: how water flowing in drainage pipes creates pressure differences, why negative pressu...

Send us Fan Mail Learn everything about faucets and sinks in this detailed episode covering the fixtures that deliver water and receive wastewater in residential plumbing systems. Understanding these common fixtures helps you identify functional issues and safety concerns. Faucet types receive comprehensive coverage, starting with compression faucets—the oldest and simplest type with two handles a...

Send us Fan Mail Master bathtub and shower inspection in this comprehensive episode covering these water-intensive fixtures where proper installation is critical for preventing water damage. Understanding construction, waterproofing, and safety requirements helps you identify problems before they become expensive failures. Bathtub coverage begins with materials and sizes, including standard 30x60...

Send us Fan Mail Explore toilets and miscellaneous fixtures in this practical episode covering the fixtures found in every home. Understanding toilet operation and common problems is essential for effective home inspections. We begin with toilet types and terminology, explaining why bidets are actually sinks despite their toilet-like appearance. Toilet construction is covered, including gravity-fl...

Send us Fan Mail Understand the critical differences between sewage ejectors and sump pumps in this focused episode covering pumping systems that move wastewater and groundwater from below-grade areas. Confusing these systems can lead to serious reporting errors. Sewage ejectors receive comprehensive coverage, starting with when they're needed: basement fixtures located below the public sewer...

Send us Fan Mail Master fuel storage and distribution systems in this comprehensive episode covering natural gas, propane, and oil systems that power heating equipment and appliances. While technically separate from plumbing, these systems are often installed by plumbers and require similar inspection skills. Gas piping materials receive extensive coverage, starting with black steel pipe: sizing,...

Send us Fan Mail Conclude the series with this essential episode on private sewage disposal systems, clarifying home inspector responsibilities and limitations while providing background knowledge for appropriate disclaimers and recommendations. We begin by establishing what's in and out of scope: determining whether a house has public or private sewage disposal is out of scope, as is inspect...

Send us Fan Mail This foundational episode establishes the essential knowledge base for heating system inspection. We begin by defining the inspection scope, clarifying which heating components fall within a home inspector's purview and which remain outside the boundaries of a standard inspection. You'll learn critical heating system terminology including AFUE ratings, draft types, hydro...

Send us Fan Mail This focused episode provides essential knowledge about gas appliance classification systems that directly impact inspection procedures, venting requirements, and safety considerations. The Category I through IV classification system organizes gas-burning appliances based on two critical factors: vent gas temperature and whether vents operate under positive or negative pressure. C...

Send us Fan Mail This comprehensive episode covers the most common residential gas heating appliances, from central forced-air furnaces to specialized units serving individual rooms. Understanding these systems is fundamental since gas heating dominates most North American markets. Gas forced-air furnace anatomy receives detailed attention. You'll learn cabinet construction, access panel loca...

Send us Fan Mail Proper venting represents the most critical safety aspect of fuel-burning appliances—vent system failures can introduce deadly carbon monoxide into homes. This episode provides comprehensive coverage of both gas and oil vent systems, their components, installation requirements, and inspection procedures. Category I gas vent systems form the foundation. We examine three vent types:...

Send us Fan Mail Electric heating systems offer simplicity and safety advantages but come with unique inspection considerations and performance characteristics. This episode covers all electric heating types from central furnaces to distributed and radiant systems. Electric central forced-air furnaces share many components with gas furnaces—cabinets, blower fans, access panels—but replace combusti...

Send us Fan Mail Hydronic heating systems—hot water and steam—represent fundamentally different heat distribution methods requiring specialized knowledge.  Hot water systems begin with distinguishing closed systems (modern standard) from obsolete open gravity systems. Closed systems seal water within pipes, boilers, and radiators after initial filling. System pressure runs 12 psig cold and 20-30 p...