California Real Estate Inspection Association Courses

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The appliances that are a permanent part of the home, such as cook tops, vent hoods, ovens, trash compactors, dishwashers, and garbage disposals, should be evaluated during a home inspection. If, as a part of the sale of a home, the buyer negotiates with the seller to include freestanding items, such as refrigerators or washing machines, you will probably be asked to include these items in the inspection. This course will list considerations of inspecting appliances and common features of appliances. In addition, the course will list appliances typically included in a home inspection and identify their reportable deficiencies.

Keeping a house cool during hot summer days is vital to the comfort of a house’s occupants. This may be accomplished by using one of the many types of available cooling systems, each of which uses a refrigerant or water to transfer the heat from the indoor air to the outdoors. A cooling system may be combined with a heating system or may be a separate system. These systems may be mounted in attics, closets, windows, or through exterior walls.

This course focuses on the systems that are used most frequently in today’s homes. These include central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, window and through- wall units, and evaporative coolers.

This course will help the student  gain a deep understanding of metes and bounds and how they apply to a variety of scenarios. 

Because so much of the home is affected by electricity, the home inspector must have a basic understanding of electricity. As always, safety is of paramount importance when dealing with this potentially dangerous form of power. This course will detail the basic electrical concepts and components. Additionally, the course will discuss how electricity is generated, transmitted, and delivered and identify the methods of wiring. The course will also indicate the elements of inspecting the service box/panel, including electrical protection devices, grounding, and bonding. Lastly, this course will determine the aspects of inspecting electrical fixtures.

One of the most common questions asked of home inspectors relates to the condition of the home’s heating and cooling components. The financial strain of replacing these components soon after purchase can be enormous, so client concern is understandable. Providing a thorough, complete, noninvasive, informative examination of the complete central system, as well as individual components, is a must for the successful home inspector.
There are generally two kinds of conventional residential heating and cooling systems – central heating and area heating – serviced by a variety of system types. Gas-fired is the most popular fuel for heating homes in America. Well over 40 million homes across the country use gas-fired equipment as their primary heat source. About 2 million new gas furnaces are sold in the U.S. every year, and almost 60 percent of new single-family homes have gas-fired central heating and cooling. 
Consequently, the majority of home inspections will be conducted on a gas-fired central heating and cooling system, which can come in varying configurations and efficiency types, not to mention those creative DIY installations. However, while it takes a great variety of equipment to control the different fuels and different applications, the functions required for safe, automatic operation are remarkably similar.
This course focuses on noninvasive inspection of the systems and components we refer to as “conventional” heating and cooling. For the purposes of this course, the training focus and learning objectives are for the thorough observation, noninvasive inspection and informative reporting requirements on permanently installed force air, gas-fired, electric-powered central heating and cooling systems, components, and air-to-air heat pumps.
The focus is not simply on the mechanicals of the heating and cooling system cabinet and equipment. Rather, this course emphasizes and expands upon the inspection routine as guided by industry standards of practice, and focuses on safety parameters, effective communication skills for client understanding, and targeting your eyes on the heating and cooling inspection as you turn into the inspection property driveway that first time. 
To enhance the learning experience, the course is seasoned with inspection best practices and in-the-field perspective and experience gained over time, to review and reinforce basic home inspection requirements to meet or exceed standards/regulations and client satisfaction.

A fireplace can enhance the value of a home by contributing to its warmth and ambiance. Fireplaces have been used for centuries for heating, cooking, and decorative appeal. A roaring fire on a cold day lends a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere to any home. The EPA estimates there are thirteen million fireplaces in the United States.
An improperly constructed or maintained fireplace can also spell disaster to an unsuspecting homeowner: Not only can an improperly constructed or maintained fireplace and its chimney pose a significant fire and smoke hazard, it can often create a significant structural hazard within a home or building.
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.
In the following chapters, we will discuss various types of fireplaces and chimneys: masonry, prefabricated metal, antique stone rubble, and vintage. We will also discuss the components of these structures. The components generally include the firebox, damper, lintel, hearth, ash dump, smoke chamber, flue, rain cap, and spark arrestor.
The course also concentrates upon safety features in gas-fired fireplaces, fire blocking between floors, and basic tools for these specialized inspections.

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.

After exploring the exterior of the home, the home inspector should examine the foundation of the residence. The foundation is the base 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.
The foundation’s two purposes are to support the entire building and to transfer the weight of the building to the ground. It is imperative that the home inspector pay particular attention to this feature. Foundation problems can cause plumbing leaks, squeaky and uneven floors, sticking doors and windows, and cracked walls.

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.

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. It is not the home inspector’s job to judge the homeowner’s style or decorative taste.

In addition, inspectors are not engaged in predicting the adequacy, insurability, or remaining life of installed systems, components, and parts. Inspectors do not conduct engineering evaluations such as voltage drop calculations and heating and cooling balancing. They also are not expected to evaluate the eco-friendliness of building materials.

Over the years, many appliances have become commonplace in houses. An appliance is a machine or device that completes one or a number of household jobs.
The appliances that are a permanent part of the home, such as cook tops, vent hoods, ovens, trash compactors, dishwashers, and garbage disposals, should be evaluated during a home inspection. Appliances that are portable and are usually moved with the seller when a home is sold are considered personal property and are not usually inspected. Personal property includes any movable item. Such appliances include the clothes washer and dryer, refrigerator, freezers, and portable microwave ovens.
If, as a part of the sale of a home, the buyer negotiates with the seller to include freestanding items, such as refrigerators or washing machines, you will probably be asked to include these items in the inspection.
In addition, it is important to note that real estate laws in some states stipulate that when a home is sold, the washer, dryer and refrigerator are part of the real estate and must stay with the house. Real estate includes land and anything permanently attached to the land, including buildings, structures, and, in this case, appliances. If you are inspecting in a state whose laws designate such appliances as real estate, then you are expected to inspect these appliances as well.

For most, living in a home without electricity, or another power source, is unimaginable. In such a house, all of the appliances that make living more convenient would be useless. This house has no lights at the push of a button or flip of a switch; no refrigerator to keep food and drinks cool; and no radio, television, or computer.
Because so much of the home is affected by electricity, the home inspector must have a basic understanding of electricity. As always, safety is of paramount importance when dealing with this potentially dangerous form of power.

Insulation has no moving parts. Most of it is not visible once it is installed. Although insulation is not glamorous, it is very important. An occupant’s comfort within a home, and the cost of maintaining that comfort level, is determined by how well the habitable space of a home is insulated. Further, the integrity and condition of a home are influenced by the effectiveness of the insulating system.
This Unit presents the basics of heat transfer. In addition, the Unit discusses in detail the four components of a home insulating system: insulation, air leakage prevention, moisture control, and ventilation.