Goal:

The goal of this course is to teach students how to perform an inspection of the attic, insulation, and interior of a residential property. 

Objectives:

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

• inspect the attic, insulation, ventilation and interior systems and related components;

• identify and describe each system and related components of the attic, insulation, ventilation, and interior; and

• describe to clients defects observed at those systems and components. 

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

Course includes: 

• 14 InterNACHI® CE credit hours;

• 44,599 words;

• inspection and writing assignment;

• research and writing assignment; 

• 84 quiz questions in 12 quizzes;

• 60-question final exam (drawn from a larger pool);

• instant grading; 

• a downloadable, printable Certificate of Completion.    

Inspectors will learn the following topics:

• Inspector Safety Equipment and Inspection Tools           

• InterNACHI Standards of Practice           

• General Inspection Comments           

• Heat Movement           

• Moisture Movement           

• Moisture Can Be a Problem           

• Four Things Your Client Can Do           

• Protection From Water Damage           

• Introduction to Insulation           

• R-Value of Insulation           

• Compressed Insulation           

• Thermal Bridging           

• Inspecting the Insulation           

• Precautions About Adding Insulation           

• Check the Attic           

• Attic Access           

• Attic Pull-Down Stairs           

• Attic Insulation Rulers and Thicknesses           

• Difficult Areas to Check in the Attic           

• Check the Exterior Walls           

• Airtight           

• Control Moisture           

• OVE Techniques           

• 2x6 Wall Construction           

• Wall Sheathing           

• Check Under the Floors           

• Floors and Crawlspaces           

• Check the Ductwork           

• Types of Insulation           

• Blankets           

• Blown-In Loose-Fill           

• Foam Insulation           

• Rigid Insulation           

• Reflective Insulation           

• Radiant Barriers           

• Insulation Labels           

• Where to Look for Insulation           

• Roof Ventilation and Insulation           

• Roof Vents and Insulation Clearance           

• Ventilation Required           

• Some Roof Ventilation Definitions           

• Inspecting the Roof Ventilation in 10 Steps           

• Ice Dams           

• Roof Ventilation Based on Climate and Insulation Amount           

• Rule of Thumb           

• Roof Height at the Eave           

• How Basement Walls Should Dry to the Interior           

• Finding Interior Foam Insulation and a Fire Hazard           

• Look for Holes That Allow Air Leakage into the Basement Wall           

• Check for Moisture at Bottom of Basement Finished Walls           

• Slab on Grade Construction           

• Is the Slab on a Mound with Clearance?           

• Required Vapor Diffusion Retarder with a Capillary Break Beneath It      

• Cracks in the Slab and Moisture Problems           

• Rebar Reduces Cracking           

• Insulation on the Exterior Slab-On-Grade Foundation           

• Frost Protected Shallow Foundations and Insulation           

• Slab-on-Grade Insulation and Finishes           

• Slab with Moisture-Resistant Finishes           

• Slab with Moisture-Sensitive Finishes           

• Missing Slab Insulation           

• Signs of Moisture Problems           

• Crawlspaces, Insulation and Moisture Problems           

• Crawlspace Floor Might be a Mud Slab           

• Crawlspace Floor Covered with Plastic           

• Crawlspace Wall is Damp-Proofed           

• Vented vs. Non-Vented Crawlspaces           

• Understanding Vented and Non-Vented Crawlspaces           

• Air Leakage and Major Moisture Problems           

• Air Sealing           

• Look for Big Air Leaks           

• Air Sealing from the Attic           

• Cathedral Roofs and Air Leaks           

• Cathedral Ceilings and Insulation           

• Why Would an Inspector Recommend Controlling Air Leakage?           

• Blower Doors – Useful Tool Checking Air Leaks           

• Air Barriers           

• Examples of Air Barriers           

• Four Types of Air Barriers           

• Vapor Diffusion Retarders           

• For Hot/Humid Climates, Walls Dry Towards the Inside           

• Inspecting “Warm Walls” in Cold Climates           

• For Cold Climates, Walls Dry Towards the Outside           

• Ventilation of the House Interior Air           

• Purpose of Ventilation           

• Three Ways to Ventilate           

• Natural Ventilation           

• Whole-House Ventilation           

• Energy-Recovery Ventilation Systems           

• Spot Ventilation           

• Bathroom Ventilation Ducts and Fans           

• Windows           

• Condensation in Double-Paned Windows           

• Safety Glass for Inspectors           

• Doors           

• Sectional Garage Door Inspection in 10 Steps           

• Garage Door Labels           

• Egress, Steps, Handrails and Illumination           

• Emergency Escape and Rescue Openings           

• Floors, Walls and Ceilings

How to Inspect the Attic, Insulation, Ventilation, and Interior Course

Course # 3700

nachi.org/interiorcourse

Activity

Assignments

Estimated hours for the average student

Academic Engagement

Reading online course instructional material at 140 words per minute

5.3

Taking quizzes

2.5

Taking the exam

1.0

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

Submitting a research and writing assignment

0.5

Total

13.8

Preparation

Studying & reviewing instructional material in preparation for taking quizzes and exam

12.0

Reading the downloaded student course book including taking the quizzes with the book

5.0

Reading, research, and studying related to completing the research and writing assignment

4.0

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.

10.0

Total

31.0

Sub Total

44.8

Overall Total

• 45.0 clock hours

• 45.0 InterNACHI CE credit hours

• 4.5 CEU