International Compliance Association (ICA) Home Inspector Practice Exam

What is a common sign of foundation issues in a home?

1. Sticking doors and windows

2. Freshly painted walls

3. Properly aligned roof lines

4. Consistent temperature throughout the house

The correct answer is: Sticking doors and windows

Sticking doors and windows are indeed a common sign of foundation issues in a home. When a foundation shifts or settles unevenly, it can create misalignments in the structure above. This misalignment often causes doors and windows to jam or stick when opened or closed. The movement of the foundation can lead to various types of stresses on the frames of doors and windows, preventing them from functioning properly. In contrast, freshly painted walls, properly aligned roof lines, and consistent temperatures throughout the house do not typically indicate foundation problems. Freshly painted walls could suggest recent renovations but give no indication of stability issues. A properly aligned roof line reflects a well-maintained structure that likely does not have foundation concerns, while consistent temperatures in a home point to effective insulation and HVAC systems rather than foundation stability. Thus, sticking doors and windows effectively signal potential issues with the foundation that may need to be investigated further.