National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) Practice Exam

A classic sign of a potential foundation problem is when windows are hard to open or close. This situation often arises due to shifting or settling of the foundation, which can affect the alignment of window frames. When a foundation settles or moves unevenly, it can cause structural distortions in the walls, leading to window frames that are misaligned. Consequently, you may find that windows stick, jam, or do not fit properly in their frames.

In contrast, fresh paint on the walls, well-maintained landscaping, and clean gutters do not inherently indicate foundation issues. Fresh paint might cover up signs of previous damage or simply reflect a homeowner's effort to maintain the aesthetics of the home. Well-maintained landscaping may suggest good property care but does not correlate with potential structural problems. Similarly, clean gutters indicate proper water drainage but do not provide information about the foundation's condition. Therefore, it's the difficulty in operating windows that can serve as a tangible clue to underlying foundation concerns.