Introduction to Home Inspections Course

Welcome to InterNACHI's free, online Introduction to Home Inspections Course. This course is for home inspectors, people who want to become home inspectors, and contractors who make home repairs.

Take the free, online course now.

Goal:

The goal of this course is to teach the student:

the Home Inspection Standards of Practice;
how to perform a home inspection;
how a home works;
how to find defects that may exist in a house;
how to fix those defects;
how to maintain a home; and
how to save home energy.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

identify and describe the systems listed in the InterNACHI® Home Inspection Standards of Practice;
apply standards to inspect the roof; exterior; basement, foundation, crawlspace, and structure; heating and cooling; plumbing; electrical; fireplace; attic, insulation, and ventilation; doors, windows, and interior;
check for and detect various types of defects observed during an inspection;
outline steps that keep homes dry, comfortable, and energy-efficient;
perform an inspection of a system or component of a house; and
generate a report that describes the observations made during an inspection.

This online course is free to all InterNACHI® members and can be taken again and again, without limit.

Course includes:

25 InterNACHI® CE credit hours;
60,000 words;
100 minutes of inspection training video;
inspection images and illustrations;
inspection and writing assignment;
65 quiz questions in 13 quizzes;
60-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool);
instant grading;
a downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.

You will learn the following topics:

One House Has More Than 10,000 Parts
The Home Inspector’s Responsibility
A Homeowner’s Questions
The Real Estate Agent’s Duty
Home Inspection Standards of Practice
HOME MAINTENANCE
Primary Responsibility
Stay Safe
Basic Home Inspection Checklist
INTERNACHI® HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS OF PRACTICE
Read the Standards of Practice
Visual Inspection
Future Events
Not Every Problem
Material Defect
The Inspection Report
ROOF
Standards of Practice
Roof Inspections Are Dangerous
Any Roof Can Leak
Hail and Wind Damage
Infrared Thermography
Sloped Roof-Covering Materials
Roof Slope
Underlayment
Reporting Upon the Roof Covering Materials
Concrete Roofs
Wood Shingles and Shakes
Metal Roofing
Slate, Clay Tile, and Asbestos Cement
Low-Slope Roof Coverings
Gutters and Downspouts
Ice Dams
Skylights
Roof Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Roof Inspector
Roof Inspection Video
EXTERIOR & PROPERTY
Standards of Practice
Step Back, Then Move Closer
Foundation Walls and Piers
Exterior Wall Covering
Exterior Wooden Components
Clearance
Aluminum and Vinyl Siding
Asbestos Cement Shingles
Brick or Stone Veneers
Stucco
Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS)
Wall Insulation
Moisture
Exterior Doors
Windows
Weatherstripping
Shutters
Awnings
Garage Doors
Decks
Exterior Water
GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Masonry and Metal Chimneys
Pre-Fab Metal Chimney
Lightning Protection
Property Surface Drainage
Protection of Wood Against Decay
Hillside
Landscaping
Puddles
Downspouts
Fences
Paving and Hard Surfaces
Exterior Steps
Retaining Walls
Buried Oil Tanks
Other Structures
Yards and Courts
Flood Zones
Steep Slope Grading
Wind
Lead
Wildfires
Accessibility
Homeowner Associations (HOA)
Exterior Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Exterior Inspector
Exterior Inspection Video
BASEMENT, FOUNDATION, CRAWLSPACE, AND STRUCTURE
Standards of Practice
The Most Revealing Area
Major Defects
Assessing Structural Capacity
Seismic Resistance
Wind Resistance
Masonry
Masonry Foundation and Piers
Masonry Piers
Concrete Cracking
Soil
Above-Ground Masonry Walls
Cracking of Masonry Over Openings
Cracking Due to Ties
Bulging & Leaning of Walls
Brick Veneer Walls
Problems Associated with Parapet Walls
Chimneys
Wood Structural Components
Deflection, Warping, and Associated Problems
Party Walls
Spreading and Tying
Deflection
Fungal and Insect Attack
Subterranean Termites
Cutting, Drilling, and Notching in Sawn Lumber
Iron and Steel Structural Components
Concrete Structural Components
Basement, Foundation, Crawlspaces, and Structure Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Structure & Foundation Inspector
Foundation Inspection Video
HEATING
Standards of Practice
HVAC Systems
Energy Source
Warm-Air Heating Furnace
Forced Warm-Air Heating
Circulation Blower Fan
Heat Exchanger
Distribution System
Air Filters
Humidifiers
Ducts
Furnace Categories
Thermostatic Controls
Gas Meter
Gas Piping
Galvanized Steel
CSST
Appliance Fuel Connectors
Gas Leak
Drip Leg
Gas Shutoff Valve
Service Shutoff Switch
Emergency Shutoff Switch
Forced Hot-Water or Hydronic System
Boilers
Expansion Tank
Circulating Pump and Controls
Distribution Piping
Steam-Heating System
Steam Boiler Controls
Steam-distribution Pipes
Electric-Resistance Heater
Electric Wall Heaters
Heat Pump Systems
Heating System Defects
Heating Inspection Video
Gas Furnace Inspection Checklist
COOLING
Standards of Practice
Central Air-Conditioning Systems
Compressor and Condenser
Clearance
Refrigerant Lines
Evaporator
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Ductless Air Cooling Systems
Heat Pump
Cold Temperatures
Improper Defrosting
Evaporative Cooling System
Humidifiers
Unit (Window) Air Conditioners
Whole-House Fan
Cooling Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified HVAC Inspector
Cooling Inspection Video
PLUMBING
Standards of Practice
Water Service Entry & Valves
House Service Main
Main (or Master) Water Shutoff Valve
Shutoff Valves
Water Meter
Interior Water Distribution
Distribution Piping
Galvanized Steel
Brass
Copper
Plastic
PB
PEX
Gridded and Parallel
Drain, Waste, and Vent Piping
Fixture Traps
Vents
Stack Vent Termination at Roof
Drainage Pipe Slope
Hot Water
Water Heaters
TPR Valves
Water Heater Labeling
Thermal Expansion Control
Pressurized Expansion Tanks
Water Valves for Water Heater Tanks
Water Leak Catch Pan
Discharge Pipe of a TPR Valve
Domestic Coil Water Heaters (with Boiler)
Tankless or Demand-Type Water Heaters
Water Heaters Located in Storage Closets, Bedrooms, and Bathrooms
Located in Garages
Private Well
Septic System
Plumbing Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Plumbing Inspector
Plumbing Inspection Video
ELECTRICAL
Standards of Practice
Basic Service Terminology
Old Electrical Systems
Service
Service Panel
Overhead Wires
Electric Meter
Service Entrance Conductor
Main Electrical Service Panel
Main Disconnect
Panel Condition and Location
Amperage Rating
Grounding & Bonding
GFCI (Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
AFCI (Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter)
Over-Current Protection
Circuit Identification
Branch Circuits
Aluminum Wire
Low Voltage
Electrical Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Electrical Inspector
Electrical Inspection Video
FIREPLACE
Standards of Practice
Fireplaces and Flues
Hearth
Lintel
Firebox
Damper
Smoke Pipe Connections
Flues
Ash Dump and Pit
Chimneys
The 3-2-10 Rule
Chimney Flashing
Factory-Built (Pre-Fabricated) Fireplaces
Ventless or Unvented Fireplaces
Fireplace Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Chimney Inspector
ATTIC, INSULATION, AND VENTILATION
Standards of Practice
Attic
Attic Access
Mechanical Exhaust Systems for Kitchen, Bathroom, and Laundry
Kitchen Exhaust
Kitchen Fan Location
Kitchen Venting
Exterior Vent Location
Inspection
Bathroom Exhaust
Straight as Possible
Condensation
Exhaust Outlet
Clothes Dryer (Laundry) Exhaust
Attic Ventilation
House Ventilation
Three Ways to Ventilate
Indoor Air Quality
Thermal Insulation
R-Value
Where to Look for Insulation
Attic, Insulation, and Ventilation Inspection Checklist
Attic Inspection Video
DOORS, WINDOWS, AND INTERIOR
Standards of Practice
Interior Doors
Egress
Windows
Glazing and Safety Glass
Floors
Moisture Intrusion
Moisture Production from Domestic Activities
Walls and Ceilings
Drywall Truss Uplift
Cosmetic Defects
Stairs and Hallways
Ramps
Guards
The 4-Inch Sphere
Handgrip
HVAC Source
Ventilation
Closets
Electrical Receptacles and Lighting
Skylights
Firewall
Habitable Rooms
Bathrooms
General Bathroom Inspection Checklist
Kitchen
Kitchen Appliance Inspection Checklists
Smoke Detectors
Laundry Rooms
Furnace and Utility Rooms
Garage Door Openers Inspection Checklist
Asbestos
Lead
Lead-based Paint
Lead in Paint
Lead in Water
Radon Gas
Doors, Windows, and Interior Inspection Checklist
InterNACHI® Certified Attic, Insulation, Ventilation, Interior Inspector
Interior Inspection Video
WATER MANAGEMENT AND DAMAGE PREVENTION
Smart Decisions
Houses and Water
Firm, Dry Foundation
Frequent Causes of Moisture Damage
Roof and Flashing
Gutters and Downspouts
Ice Dams
Soffits and Fascias
Weep Holes
Landscaping and Grading
Window and Door Flashing and Seals
Groundwater and Rainwater
Condensation
HVAC
Sump Pump
InterNACHI® Certified Moisture Intrusion Inspector
A WORD ABOUT YOUR HOME’S ENERGY
$2,200 Every Year
InterNACHI® Certified Home Energy Inspector
SEASONAL MAINTENANCE
Checklists
In the Spring
In the Summer
In the Fall
In the Winter
Annually
ANNUAL HOME MAINTENANCE
Keep the Home in Good Condition
InterNACHI® Certified Home Maintenance Inspector
HEALTHY HOME INSPECTIONS
Overall Health
InterNACHI® Certified Healthy Homes Inspector
INSPECTION & WRITING ASSIGNMENT
Essay

Introduction to Home Inspections Course #4518
Activity	Assignments	Estimated Clock Hours for the Average Student
Academic Engagement	Reading online course instructional material at 140 words per minute. (60,000/140/160=7.1	7.1
	Watching 100 minutes of inspection training video.	1.7
	Taking quizzes (65x1.85/60=2.0).	2.0
	Taking the final exam (60x1.85/60=2.0).	2.0
	Conducting a directed and independent inspection study performed according to the Standards of Practice, including the development of an inspection report.	4.0
	Submitting an inspection and writing assignment.	0.5
		17.3

Preparation	Studying & reviewing instructional material in preparation for taking quizzes and exam	3.5
	Studying and preparing for inspection processes according to a Standards of Practice, including capturing and storing digital images with a camera or device, making observations, evaluating conditions, deducing, formulating opinions, communicating observations in written form, attaining competency in performing inspections and using an inspection checklist or software and other inspection tools in producing a report.	4.0
		7.5
	Total (17.3+7.5=24.8)	24.8
Overall Total		25.0 Clock Hours 25.0 InterNACHI CE Credit Hours 2.5 CEU

Reminder to members: InterNACHI's Code of Ethics 1.10 requires that you comply with all government rules and licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where you conduct business. InterNACHI's courses and Standards generally exceed the Standards of Practice that you are required to abide by locally.

This course has been approved by:

Upon completion of this course and passing the 60-question final exam, the student can download and print their own Certificate of Completion which is auto-generated in their own name.

Take the free, online course now.

Introduction to Home Inspections Course

Goal:

Objectives:

Course includes:

You will learn the following topics:

Certification & Licensing

Education

Resources

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