American Society of Home Inspectors Courses

A properly built house offers protection against the weather and provides structural stability. Floors may be concrete slab, suspended wood, or steel joist systems. Walls may be framed using wood, wood structural panels, steel, structural masonry, conventional concrete, insulating concrete forms, rammed earth, or straw bales, and include openings. Types of framing that are used to construct houses include platform, balloon, and panelized framing. A roof may be constructed using traditional stick framing, prefabricated trusses, or steel components.

A home inspector must have a basic understanding of how a house is built in order to detect deviations from accepted building practices and codes.

This course is intended to be an informative and educational overview of electricity and electrical inspections, which are pertinent to professional inspectors.  Because of the nature of electricity and the responsibility that electrical inspections inherently possess, it is important to review the basics from time to time.  An understanding of electricity and electrical systems is integral to a safe, secure, and functional home.

Additionally, incorrectly managed electrical systems can carry a high degree of danger; therefore, these inspections must be compliant with relevant NFPA and NEC codes.  Upon the completion of this course, the professional inspector will have a renewed understanding of electrical inspection requirements.

This course will provide a brief history of electricity and the scientists who contributed the building blocks that made our modern-day electrical theories, principles, and systems possible. We will then discuss safety preparedness and adequate preparation when performing a safe electrical inspection, as well as the steps involved in an electrical inspection.  Lastly, we will provide an overview of effective communication to communicate the findings of the inspection to the client.  

Heat energy can be transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the transfer of heat from one molecule to another and only happens in solid materials. Convection is the transfer of heat via a moving fluid. Radiation occurs when certain energy waves strike an object, are absorbed, and turn to heat.

There are many types of heating systems, and they all are categorized based on the source of thermal energy they use to generate heat. Sources of thermal energy include natural gas, oil, electricity, solar energy, geothermal energy, and wood. This course will exam various sources of heat and identify ways to transfer heat energy. In addition, the course will specify characteristics of various heating systems including freestanding and area heating systems.

Plumbing is a vital system for the occupants of a house. Without it, a house’s inhabitants would not have access to water or a means to dispose of waste. A house’s plumbing is the system of pipes and connected fixtures that enables clean water to enter the house and used water and sewage to exit the house. Residential plumbing consists of two separate systems: the aseptic system and the septic system. This course will define the characteristics of the aseptic and septic systems and discuss the various types of pipes used in each system. Additionally, the course will discuss the requirements for water heaters, venting requirements, and fixtures.

This course will discuss statutory regulations concerning fireplace and chimney inspections, as well as the elements of fireplaces, chimneys, and wood burning stoves. We will discuss the proper methods of construction, installation, maintenance, and safety considerations necessary to enhance a home inspection and provide an increased level of comfort for your clients.

After exploring the exterior of the home, the home inspector should examine the foundation of the residence. Since the foundation supports the weight of the entire structure; this area of the building must be constructed under strict adherence to all applicable building codes and undergo rigorous safety inspections. Foundation problems can cause plumbing leaks, squeaky and uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and cracked walls. This course will identify the factors that affect foundation design and the types of materials and components used in foundations. In addition, this course will specify inspection items for foundation problems and indicate methods used in foundation repair and retrofitting.

This course will review the fundamental standards and codes of ethics for the profession practice of home inspection. It will cover information from national and international home inspection associations which governs home inspections. Case studies will be discussed to supplement the training. Strategies will be outlined to assist the professional to make ethical decisions when faced with a conflict. Periodic assessments will be included throughout the course to check for understanding.

This course will focus on the structural home inspection using the American Society of Home Inspectors’ (ASHI) standards as an outline for topics. The course will discuss details for the exterior, interior and structure inspection, and will use examples of common components and defects as training tools. We will also discuss reporting defects in order to communicate findings accurately to the customer and limit your liability.

This course will examine the importance of proper grading and drainage slopes for foundations as it pertains to home inspections. Many defects observed during home inspections could have been completely avoided if simple preventative measures would have been taken. Many of these issues are often caused by poor water management. This course will discuss proper proper grading and drainage for homes and explain water diversion repairs and preventative measures to ensure water relief. 

The interior of the house refers to the finishes of interior walls, ceilings, floors, doors, counters, cabinets, and stairs. The condition of the house’s interior usually indicates the overall quality of the home and the homeowner’s commitment to its maintenance. The home inspector should inspect the interior of the house for clues to possible problems like water leaks and structural issues. This course will list the aspects of inspecting interior walls and ceilings and identify the components of flooring. The course will detail deficiencies to look for when performing an interior inspection including methods for inspecting doors, windows, and weather stripping.