Building component & inspection terminology

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Approved: Judged to meet or exceed specified standards
Art Deco: A decorative style popular in the 1920s and 1930s that is based on geometric forms and patterns, some derived from nature; promoted the use of ornament for its own sake; used in architecture, furnishings, textiles, and decorative arts.
Art Nouveau: A decorative style popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; characterized by asymmetric, curvilinear forms inspired by nature; used in all the arts and crafts of the period, including architecture and interior design.
Asbestos: A nonflammable, natural mineral fiber currently being investigated for potential health-threatening properties. Asbestos is classified as friable(loose -may become airborne) or non-friable (stable).
ASHI: American Society of Home Inspectors
Asphalt: A waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during manufacture.
Asphalt Tile: A resilient floor covering laid in mastic, available in several colors.
Asphalt Plastic Cement: An asphalt-based cement used to bond roofing materials. Also known as flashing cement or mastic.
Atrium: A central area in a structure with a ceiling of translucent material that admits sunlight.
Atrium House: A dwelling with an open interior court onto which rooms open; may be of two or more stories, free standing or joined in rows, groups or clusters. A variation of the patio house.
Attic: Accessible space between roof rafters and ceiling joists.
Attic Access: A provision to gain access to an attic; could be a scuttle hole, a pull-down stairway or hatch
Attic Ventilators: Openings in a roof or in gables that allow for air circulation.
Automatic Safety Controls: Devices designed and installed to protect systems and components from excessively high or low pressures and temperatures, excessive electric current, loss of water, loss of ignition, fuel leaks, fire, freezing or other unsafe conditions.
Average: A value which is typically used to sum up or describe a mass of data. It is a measure of central tendency. An average condition given its age and function, may need repair or replacement in the reasonable near future, showing definite signs of wear and/or usage.
Awning: A roof-like shelter extending over an area, e.g. a doorway, a window, a porch, that provides protection from the sun or rain.
Awning Window: A type of window having a sash with hinges at the top, which permit the window to open horizontally, forming an awning over the opening.

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B

Back Band Casing: A common or butt casing with molded and/or mitered trim piece around its outer edge.
Backfill: The gravel or earth replaced in the space around a building wall after the foundation is in place.
Back Flow Preventer: See Check Valve
Backup: The cheaper material in a masonry wall that is covered by more expensive, ornamental material, e.g., face brick, stone, marble, metal panels.
Backwater valve: An automatic valve set in the sewer lateral to prevent sewage form backing up during flood periods.
Baffle: A plate for regulating the flow of a liquid or gas; a metal plate used between the cylinders of an air-cooled motor engine to break up a stream of heated gases.
Balcony: A balustrade or railed platform that projects from the face of a building above the ground level; it has an entrance from the building interior and is usually cantilevered or supported by columns.
Balloon Frame: In construction, a type of framing in which the studs extend from the sill to the roof, the second floor is supported by a horizontal ribbon or ledger board and joists that are nailed to studs.
Baluster: A short pillar or post that supports a rail, usually circular and tapered at the top; uprights supporting the handrail of a staircase.
Balustrade: A row of balusters surmounted by a rail, coping or cornice.
Base: In building construction, the lowest part of a wall, pier, pedestal or column.
Baseboard: A piece of finishing material placed at the bottom of interior walls to conceal the area where the base of the wall meets the floor.
Baseboard Heating: A system of perimeter heating with radiators, convectors or air outlets located at the base of the wall where the baseboard would be; may be hot water, forced air or electric. Also called panel heating
Base Flood Elevation(BFE): The height of the base flood usually in feet, in relation the National Geodetic Vertical Daturn of 1929 or other daturn as specified.
Base Flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck to direct the flow of water onto the roof covering.
Basement: Any area of a building having its floor subgrade (below ground level) on all sides.
Base Mold: A decorative strip of molded material laid along the top of a baseboard.
Base Plate: The horizontal member at the bottom of a column or post which transmits the column loads to its foundation.
Bathroom: A room containing a toilet, a lavatory and a bathtub or shower.
Batten: A narrow strip of wood used to cover a joint between boards or to simulate a covered joint for architectural purposes.
Bay: An opening in a wall.
Bay Window: A window that forms a bay in a room and projects outwardly from the wall; it is supported by its own foundation, as distinguished from an oriel or box bay window, which lacks foundation support.
Beam: A principal load-supporting member of a building, may be made of wood, steel or concrete. The lumber in a rectangular cross section of a building, five or more inches thick and eight or more inches wide.
Beamed Ceiling: A ceiling with beams exposed. A false beamed ceiling has ornamental boards or timbers which are not load-bearing.
Bedroom: A room containing bed and other furniture whose primary use is to sleep. This room must contain a built-in closet, heating and ventilation and at least one electrical outlet.
Bevel: To angle an edge on a piece of wood or other material.
Beveled Siding: Clapboard
Bi-Level: A house built on two levels; a split-level house.
Black Top (Bituminous Concrete): Bituminous or asphalt material used in hard surface paving.
Blind Nail: To drive a nail into a piece of material (such as flooring or paneling) so the nail will be hidden when the next piece is installed.
Blisters: Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation.
Block: A preformed structural component made of concrete and used in construction.
Blower: Motor-driven fan that moves air through the ducts of a heating or cooling system or through vents.
Board: Lumber measuring two inches (2") or less in thickness.
Board and Batten: A type of siding, typically vertical, composed of wide boards and narrow battens. The boards are nailed to the sheathing with a half of a space between them and the battens are nailed over these spaces.
Boiler Heat: A system which circulates either steam or hot water to individual room radiators or convectors.
Bolt: Any of several types of strong fastening rods, pins, or screws, usually threaded to receive a nut. A movable bar or rod, which when slid into a socket, fastens a door, gate, etc.
Bond: Adhesion of glue or other adhesive to materials being joined; pattern formed in laying brick or other masonry units.
Bond Beam: A continuous beam placed in masonry walls to tie them together, add lateral stability and distribute concentrated vertical loads along the wall; usually made of reinforced concrete but sometimes of reinforced brick or concrete block.
Bottom Plate: The bottom horizontal member of a frame wall.
Bottom Rail: A horizontal member that forms the bottom of a window or paneled door. Also called bottom stile.
Bowstring Truss: A steel or wooden truss with a top member that resembles a bow or an arch.
Brace: A structural member that reinforces a frame or truss.
Bracket: A horizontal projecting support that bears an overhanging weight, e.g., a cornice, eaves.
Brands: Airborne burning embers released from a fire.
Breakaway Walls: Walls which are designed to break away form their structural supports when subjected to wind and/or water loads.
Brick Cavity Wall: A wall with a space between the inner and outer tiers of brick, the space may be filled with insulation.
Brick Ledge: That portion along the exterior of a slab on a grade foundation which is reserved for and supports the brick veneer.
Brick Masonry (Bond): The arrangement or overlapping of brick, blocks or stones to tie a masonry wall together longitudinally stretchers and transversely (headers) and of great importance to the strength of the wall.
Brick Veneer: A non-load bearing single tier of brick applied as the facing to a wall of other materials.
Bridging: Cross members inserted between joists to hold the joists in position.
BTU: British thermal unit; a standard unit for measuring heat equal to the amount required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In the United States, the rated capacity of furnace and boilers is expressed in terms of BTU's emitted per hour.
Buck: Wood framework in a door opening in masonry wall to which jambs and casings are attached.
Building: A structure, usually roofed and walled, that is erected for permanent use.
Building Code: A set of rules specifying requirements in building for health, safety and welfare.
Building Code: A local or state ordinance or regulation that controls the design, construction, alteration, repair, quality of materials use and occupancy of any building in its jurisdiction; enforced by police power in the interest of public health, safety and welfare.
Building Exposure Category C.: ASCE 7-93 term for building located in fairly open terrain with scattered obstructions less than 30 feet in height.
Built-Ins: Items such as cabinets, counters desks, benches, shelving, equipment, which are permanently attached to the building structure and could not be removed without leaving evidence of removal.
Built-up Roof: A flat or low-sloped roof consisting of multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets.
Bundle: A package of shingles. There are usually 3,4, or 5 bundles per square depending on shingle weight.
Butt: A door hinge.
Butt Casing: A very plain casing formed by installing a piece across the top of an opening and bringing up two side pieces to butt against it from beneath.
Butt Edge: The lower edge of the shingle tabs.
Butterfly Roof: An inverted gable roof with two sides that slope downward and inward, forming an inverted ridge in the center. The two gables resemble the wings of a butterfly.
Butt Joint: Formed when tow members are placed end to end without overlapping.
Buttress: An external structure, usually of brick, stone or concrete, that supports a wall or building by receiving lateral pressure acting at a particular point in a single direction.
BX Electrical Cable: Electrical cable with metal sheathing used in the 1930's-50's.

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C

Caisson Foundation: A foundation system in which holes are drilled into the earth down to bearing strata and then filled with concrete.
Cantilever: A structural member which projects beyond its supporting wall or column.
Cant Strip: A strip having triangular cross section which provides support for felt layers of a roof as they curve form a horizontal to a vertical position.
Cap: The top part of a structural member, such as columns, doors, moldings; a cornice, a lintel.
Cap Flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.
Cape Cod House: A type of architectural style which is a development of the one-story cabinet. Generally, the main cornice line is at the second-story level. The roof is sloping and there may be rooms on the second floor, served by dormer window. A detailed entrance features pilasters and cornices.
Carport: A roofed auto shelter without walls.
Case: The framework of the structure; the external facings of a building when made of material superior to backing.
Casement Window: A type of window with a sash and side hinges.
Casing: A piece of trim material around the sides and top of doors, windows and other openings in a wall.
Caulk: To fill a joint with mastic or asphalt cement to prevent leaks.
Cavity Wall: A wall, usually of masonry, that consists of two vertical components with air space between.
Ceiling Joists: The horizontal structural members to which the ceiling is fastened; may support a floor above.
Cellar: A storage space, usually but not necessarily below ground.
Cement: A substance made of powdered lime and clay mixed with water and used to fasten stones and sand together to form concrete.
Cement Blocks: Blocks composed principally of cement and gravel formed into shape under pressure; typically used for walls.
Central Air Conditioning: A system which uses ducts to distribute cooled and/or dehumidified air to more than one room or uses pipes to distribute chilled water to heat exchangers in more than one room, and which is not plugged into an electric convenience outlet.
Cesspool: An underground catch basin for household sewage or other liquid waste.
Chalk Line: A line made by snapping a taut string or cord dusted with chalk. Used for alignment purposes.
Check Rail: The horizontal members or rails, that form the top of the lower sash and the bottom of the upper sash into a double-hung window; two rails in combination.
Check Valve: A plumbing valve that closes automatically, preventing the backflow of water or other liquids. See Back Flow Preventer.
Childproof: An item designed to hinder entry by a child; normally surrounding dangerous areas such as swimming pools.
Chimney: A stack that extends above the surface of the roof and carries smoke outside.
Chimney back: The rear wall of a furnace or fireplace.
Chimney Cap: Ornamental stone, concrete or metal edging at the top of the chimney stack that protects the masonry form the elements and improves the draft in the chimney.
Chimney Flashing: A strip of material, usually metal, placed where the chimney meets the roof to make the joint watertight; used wherever the slop is interrupted by a vertical structure.
Chimney Pot: A fire clay or terra-cotta pipe projecting from the top of the chimney stack; is decorative and increases the draft of the chimney.
Cinder Block: A concrete block made using cinders as the coarse aggregate to achieve a lighter weight.
Circlehead Window: A small half-oval window used for decorative purposes, usually over a door. It is shaped like an open fan, the ribs of which are simulated by the sash bars.
Circuit: Two or more wires that provide a path for electrical current from a source through some device using electric (such as a light) and back to the source.
Circuit Breaker: Automatic safety switch installed in a circuit to break the flow of electricity when the current exceeds a predetermined safe amount.
Clapboard: Exterior wood siding having one edge thicker than the other and laid so that the thick butt overlaps the edge of the board below.
Class A: The highest fire-resistance rating issued by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for roofing. Indicates roofing is able to withstand severe exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.
Class B: UL fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing material is able to withstand moderate exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.
Class C: UL fire-resistance rating that indicates roofing material is able to withstand light exposure to fire originating from sources outside the building.
Cleanout: Opening that provides access to a drainpipe or to a trap under a sink and that is sealed with a threaded plug.
Clear Span: The horizontal distances between structural supports.
Cleat: A piece of wood or iron with two projecting ends, round which ropes are fastened used to move small sea crafts.
Clerestory Window: A window or series of windows placed in a building above the roof of other parts of the structure providing additional light and ventilation for the interior. A style of architecture usually found in churches and similar structures but also used in modern residential design.
Clock Thermostat: A device designed to reduce energy consumption by regulating the demand on the heating or cooling system of a building.
Closed Cut Valley: A method of valley treatment in which shingles from one side of the valley extend across the valley while shingles from the other side are trimmed 2 inches from the valley centering. The valley flashing is not exposed.
Coastal High Hazard Area: Any areas of special flood hazard extending from offshore to the inland limit of a primary frontal dune along a open coast and any other area subject to high-velocity wave action from storms or seismic sources.
Coat: A single layer of paint, plaster or other material.
Coating (Asphalt): A layer of viscous asphalt applied to the base material into which granules or ground talc embedded.
Code Approved: Accepted by either Building Code Congress International or the National Evaluation Service.
Collar: Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve or lead boot.
Collar Tie: A device used to tie together the sides of a structure to prevent bowing outward.
Colonial Architecture: Traditional design, most commonly following the characteristics of New England Colonial homes, usually two story houses with balanced openings along the main facade, windows subdivided into small panes, shutters and dormer windows.
Column: A vertical structural member that supports horizontal members, e.g., beams, girders, designed to transmit a load bearing material at its base.
Combination Door: A outer door frame with an inside removable section into which a screen panel is inserted in warm weather and a glass panel in winter.
Combination Window: An outer window frame with an inside removable section into which a screen is inserted in warm weather and a glass storm panel in winter.
Combustion Chamber: Fireproof compartment in a boiler or furnace that contains the flame of an oil or gas burner.
Comments: Additional information provided by the inspector.
Commercial Buildings: Structures designed and used for business purposes.
Compliance: The act or process of conforming to official requirements or to a desire or proposal.
Component: A readily accessible and observable aspect of a system, such as a floor, or wall, but not individual pieces such as boards or nails where many similar pieces make up the component.
Concealed Heating: See radiant heating.
Concealed Nail Method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into the underlying course of roofing and covered by a cemented, overlapping course. Nails are not exposed to the weather.
Concrete: A hard, stone-like material formed by mixing sand, an aggregate, e.g., crushed stone, gravel and cement with water and allowing the mixture to harden.
Concrete Block: Concrete compressed into a block, hardened and used as a structural masonry unit.
Condensation: The change of water from a gaseous state to a liquid one when warm, moisture-laden air comes in contact with a cold surface.
Condominium: A structure of two or more units, the interior spaces of which are individually owned; the balance of the property (both land and building) is owned in common by the owners of the individual units. The size of each unit is measured from the interior surfaces (exclusive of paint or other finishes) of the exterior walls, floors and ceiling. The balance of the property is called the common area.

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D

Damper: Flat plate that opens and closes to control amount of air flowing through a heating duct, exhaust vent, flue, or chimney.
Dampproofing: To coat a surface to prevent the passage of moisture.
Dangerous or Adverse Situations: Situations which pose a threat of injury to the inspector, and those situations which require the use of special protective clothing or safety equipment.
Dead Load: The weight of permanent, stationary construction included in a building.
Dead Men: Home Inspectors who have fallen off a roof.
Deck: The surface installed over the supporting framing members, to which the roofing is applied. Also, an uncovered porch type structure normally constructed with unpainted lumber with a gap between the flooring material.
Deck Roof: A nearly flat roof constructed without a fire wall.
Deficiency: An inadequacy in the structure or one of its components.
Deficient: In functionally deficient condition, needs immediate repair or replacement.
Dehumidifier: A refrigeration device designed to remove water vapor from the air.
Delta-T: A difference in degrees Fahrenheit or the high and low temperature of a system such as an air conditioner or heat pump.
Den: The same configuration as a bedroom without a closet.
Deterioration: Impairment of condition.
Diagonal Brace: A support placed at a 45 degree angle which had the purpose of bracing a part of a structure against lateral loads.
Diameter: The width or thickness of a circular, or somewhat circular, object.
Dimension Lumber: Lumber which is two to five (2"-5") thick and up to twelve inches (12") wide.
Discontinuous Member: A member which has one or more break points and is not considered a whole unit unless tied or fastened together.
Dismantle: To take apart or remove any component, device or piece of equipment that is bolted, screwed or fastened by other means and that would not be dismantled by a homeowner in the course of normal household maintenance.
Distribution Box: A fuse box; a metal box containing fuses and circuit breakers that permits access to connecting branch circuits. An underground box that receives waste from a septic tank and distributes it to the laterals of a disposal field.
Distribution Panel: An insulated board from which electrical connections are made between the main feed circuit and branch distribution circuits.
Diving Board: A board permanently and securely fastened above a swimming pool from which a person may project himself/herself into the water head first.
Division Wall: An interior load-bearing wall dividing a structure into rooms.
Dock: A structure extending from the shore into the water that permits the mooring of vessels.
Dome: A hemispherical roof or ceiling constructed to exert equal, oblique thrust in all directions.
Door Stop: A trim piece place around the inside face of side and top door jambs to prevent damage from the door swinging too far.
Dormer: A framed window unit projecting through the sloping plane of a roof.
Double Coverage: Application of asphalt roofing such that the lapped portion is at least 2 inches wider than the exposed portion. Results in two layers of roofing material over the deck.
Double Floor: Wood construction using a subfloor and a finished floor.
Double Framing: A building technique using double joists, trimmers and other structural members where reinforcement is needed.
Double-Gabled Roof: See butterfly roof.
Double-Glazing: A double-glass pane hermetically sealed with an air space between the two panes to provide insulation.
Double-Hung Window: A window with two movable sashes that slide vertically.
Double-Pitch Roof: A roof that slopes in two directions.
Double Tap: Two electrical conductors fastened to a single safety device.
Dovetail: An interlocking joint commonly used in carpentry.
Dowel: Cylindrical wood peg fitted into a hove drilled through two pieces of wood.
Downdraft: A downward current of air in a chimney, often carrying smoke with it.
Downspout: A pipe for draining water from roof gutters. Also called a leader.
Drag Strut: A member designed to transfer axial loads between shearwalls. Bond beams and top plates are members that can be used as a drag strut.
Drainage: A system of drains, e.g., tiles, pipes, conduits, designed to remove surface or subsurface water or waste water and sewage.
Drain Field: An area containing a system of underground lateral pipes for the purpose of draining septic systems.
Drain Tile: Tubing used in the construction of a building to assist in carrying water away from the structure.
Drip Edge: A non-corrosive, non-staining material used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off to drip clear of underlying construction.
Dry Rot: A decay of seasoned wood caused by fungus.
Drywall: Any finish material applied to an interior wall in a dry state, as distinguished from plaster, e.g., gypsum wallboard, plywood, fiberwood.
Drywall Construction: A type of interior wall construction using wood paneling, plywood, plasterboard, or any other type of wallboard instead of plaster as the finish material.
Dry Well: A covered pit, either with open-jointed lining or filled with coarse aggregate, through which drainage from downspouts of foundation footing drains may seep into the surrounding soil.
Duct: Large channel through which air passes in a heating, cooling or exhaust system.
Duplex: A house containing two separate dwelling units, side by side or above the other; also describes apartments that occupy two levels or a portion of two floors.
Dutch Door: A door divided horizontally in the middle so that the bottom half can remain closed while the top is open.
Dutch Lap Method: Application of giant individual shingles with the long dimension parallel to the eaves. Shingles are applied to overlay adjacent shingles in each course as well as the course below.

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E

Eaves: The horizontal, lower edge of a roof which projects beyond the building wall.
Eaves Closure: That component of a tile roofing system which is used to seal the openings along the eaves of a structure under the first layer of tile. Also called closure tile.
Eaves Flashing: Additional layer of roofing material applied at the eaves to help prevent damage from water back-up.
Edging Strips: Boards nailed along eaves and rakes after cutting back existing wood shingles to provide secure edges for reroofing with asphalt shingles.
Efflorescence: A white powdery substance appearing on masonry wall surfaces. It is composed of soluble salts which have been brought to the surface by water or moisture movement.
Egress: A way out, an exit or outlet.
Electrical Breaker: An electrical safety device used to prevent circuit overload. Breakers, if tripped, can be reset.
Electrical Heating: Any of several methods that convert electrical energy into usable heat.
Electrical Outlet: A point on the wiring system where current can be taken to activate equipment.
Elevation: A geometric projection of a vertical plane perpendicular to the horizon, e.g., of the external upright parts of a building from front, side or rear view.
Elevator: A raising and lowering mechanism that moves on tracks up and down a shaft between the floors of a building and is equipped with a car or platform to transport passengers and freight.
Ell: An extension of building at right angles to its length.
Embedment; Embedded: Set firmly into a surround mass.
Equivalent: Having an equal value, amount or force.
Escutcheon: Decorative metal piece that fits over or around a pipe protruding from a wall, or over a faucet body, or around a lockset on the face of a door.
Estimated: Roughly, broadly from experience, not from calculations. Not to be taken as exact.
Etching: Marks on a marcite of a swimming pool either thumbnail or Sarasota.
Excellent: New or in exceptional condition given its age and function, showing negligible or no sign of wear and/or usage.
Exposed Nail Method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are driven into cemented, overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the weather.
Exposure: That portion of the roofing exposed to the weather after installation.
Extension Cord Wiring: Electrical cord designed for temporary use installed as a permanent electrical wire.
Exterior Finish: The outside finish of a structure that includes roof and wall covering, gutters and or window frames; any protective outer cover.
Exterior Fixture: An outside item, e.g., areaway, canopy, marquee, platform, loading dock, that is permanently attached to and part of the building structure.
Exterior Grade Plywood: Type of plywood approved by the American Plywood Association for exterior use.
Exterior Surface Drain: A covered catchment basin located in the driveway, lawn or patio to carry away surface water.
Exterior Wall: An outer wall, except a common wall that serves as a vertical enclosure of a building.

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F

Facade: The principal, exterior face of a structure; usually the front face or front elevation of a building.
Face: The most important side of a structure; the front or facade. The exposed surface of an object, such as the earth, structure, wall, panel.
Face Brick: A better grade of brick used for an exterior wall of a building, often only on the face.
Face Nail: To nail into the face of a piece of wood or other building material.
Face Plate: The exterior surface around an opening, corner or edging.
Face Wall: A wall, usually of masonry, that has an exterior face of a different material; the two materials are bonded so that they serve as a single load-bearing unit.
Family Room: An informal living room, usually the center of family activities.
Fan Window: See circlehead window.
Fascia (or Facia): A horizontal board that is nailed vertically to the ends of roof rafters: sometimes supports a gutter .
FBT: Flexible Black Tubing
Feathering: The tapering of one surface into another.
Feathering Strips: Tapered wood filler strips placed along the butts of old wood shingles to create a level surface when reroofing over existing wood shingle roofs. Also called horsefeathers.
Felt: Fibrous material saturated with asphalt and used as an underlayment or sheathing paper.
Fiberboard: A prefabricated building material made of wood or other plant fibers compressed and bonded into a sheet.
Fiberglass: Finespun filaments of glass that are made into yarn and used in batts as insulation; added to gypsum concrete products to increase tensile strength.
Fiberglass Mat: An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from glass fibers.
Field Tile: Porous tile placed around a building's foundation to drain off excess water and prevent seepage into the foundation.
Filtch Beam: A beam composed of two timber beams between which has been placed an iron plate and all three secure bolted together.
Filter: A device for separating liquids from solids or straining impurities from liquids; any porous material such as filter paper, charcoal, etc,; a device for removing paper from the air.
Finish Floor: The top flooring of hardwoods, linoleum, terrazzo or tile, laid over the subfloor.
Firebrick: A brick made of fireclay that is capable of resisting high temperatures and used to line heating chambers at fireplaces.
Fire Doors and Walls: Doors and walls constructed of fire resistive materials designed to prevent the spread of fire .
Fireplace Insert: Woodburning stove designed to be installed in a fireplace. Its purpose is to make the fireplace more efficient.
Fireproofing: The use of incombustible materials to protect the structural components of a building so that a complete burnout of its contents will not impair its structural integrity.
Fire Retarding Material: Material that tends to inhibit combustion.
Fixed Window: A window that does not open; e.g., fixed bay window, fixed bow window, picture window.
Fixture: Any non-portable lighting device which is more or less permanently built in or attached securely to the walls and/or ceiling. The permanent parts of a plumbing system such as toilets, bathtubs, etc.
Flagstone: A flat, irregular slab of stone usually sandstone or shale, used for paving walks, patios, terraces and planter boxes.
Flange: Projecting rim or collar, such as on a skylight, that aids attachment or increases stiffness.
Flank: The side of a building or of an arch.
Flashing: Sheet metal or other thick, impervious material used around roof and wall junctions to protect the joints from water penetration.
Flashing Cement: See Asphalt Plastic Cement
Flat Roof: A roof with just enough slope to provide for proper drainage; one with a pitch that does not exceed 20 degrees.
Flood Plain: The land adjoining an ocean, river, stream, bay or lake which is likely to be flooded.
Floodprone Area: Any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwater from any source.
Floor: The total horizontal surface of a room or building.
Floor Furnace: A metal, box-like warm-air furnace installed directly under the floor so that its grilled upper surface is flush with the finished floor of the room above.
Floor Joists: Horizontal framing lmember to which flooring is attached.
Flue: A passageway in a chimney for conveying smoke, gases or fumes to the outside air.
Flue Lining: The tile or pipe inside a chimney.
Fluorescent Lighting: Lighting fixtures consisting of glass tubes with an inside coating of fluorescent material that produces light when subjected to a stream of electrons from the cathode.
Footing: A masonry section, usually concrete, in a rectangular form wider than the bottom of the foundation wall or pier supports.
Formica: A trade name for a plastic material used primarily on counter tops, but also on wallcovering, plywood panels and wallboard, where a fire-resistive material is desirable; similar materials are produced under other trade names.
Foundation: That upon which anything is built; that part of a structure upon which the building is erected; usually that part of a building which is below the surface of the ground and on which the superstructure rests.
Foyer: An entrance hall in a house.
Frame: The load-bearing skeleton of a building.
Framing Anchor: A corrosion-resistant (galvanized) pre-engineered metal piece designed to fasten wooden members together or to masonry. They prevent lateral motion and/or uplift. Also called hurricane clips.
Free-Tab Shingles: Shingles that do not contain factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.
French Drain: An underground drain tile surrounding a foundation for the purpose of routing water either to daylight or a sump pump.
French Doors or Windows: A pair of glazed doors that are hinged at the jamb and function as both doors and windows.
Freon: A trade name for a group of nontoxic, nonflammable refrigerants used in air-conditioning systems.
Frieze: A horizontal trim piece immediately below the cornice soffit.
Front: The primary face of a structure, particularly that which contains the principal entrance.
Frost Line: The depth of frost penetration in soil. This depth varies in different parts of the country.
Full House Fan: A large fan normally located in the ceiling between the top floor and the attic. It is used to pull air through a building to cool it.
Functional Drainage: A drain is functional when it empties in a reasonable amount of time and does not overflow when another fixture is drained simultaneously.
Functional Flow: A reasonable flow at the highest fixture in a dwelling when another fixture is operated simultaneously. See water flow-minimum rate 3 GPM per average living unit.
Furring: Strips of wood or metal applied to a wall or other surface to even it and normally to serve as a fastening base for finish material.
Fuse: Safety device in an electric circuit designed to blow or open and stop flow of electricity when current exceeds a predetermined safe amount.
Fuse Box: The container housing the fuses that control the electrical circuits of a structure.

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G

Gable: The upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.
Gable Roof: A double-sloped roof from the ridge to the eaves; the end section appears as an inverted V.
Gable Stud: A stud which is a component of the framing of the gable end of the framing of the gable end of a structure.
Gambrel Roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Contains a gable at each end.
Garbage Disposal: An electrical appliance, usually installed in a sink, which reduces garbage to small particles which may be disposed of by washing down the drain.
Garden Apartments: An apartment development of two- or three-story, walk up structures built in a garden-like setting; customarily a suburban or rural-urban fringe development.
Gasket: Material (often rubber) that is installed between two parts to make a joint leak proof.
GFCI: Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. An electrical mechanism usually located in a receptacle box or at the main service panel. Measures voltage differential between the hot wire and neutral wire. When a differential is detected, the receptacle or breaker is shut off.
GFI: Ground Fault Interrupter. A safety device used on electrical outlets on exterior outlets on exterior walls, near pools, kitchens and bathrooms to prevent electrical shock.
Gingerbread Work: A term used to describe the excessive use of ornamentation in architecture, especially of a house.
Girder: The main structural support beam in a wood-framed floor. The girder supports one end of each joist.
Glass Wool Insulation: Material made of glass fibers, usually in the form of blankets wrapped in heavy asphalt-treated or vapor-barrier paper.
Glazier's points: Small metal pieces used to hold a glass pane in a window sash until putty is applied.
Good: In above-average condition given its age and function, showing less than normal sign of wear and/or usage.
Grade: The ground level existing at the outside walls of a building or elsewhere on a building site.
Grade (Finish Grade): A reference plane representing the average finished ground level adjoining a structure.
Grade ( Lumber Grade): The designation of the quality of a manufactured piece of wood.
Grade (Natural Grade): A reference plane representing the undisturbed natural ground level adjoining or around a structure.
Grading: A sloping of the grounds immediately adjacent to a building. Proper grading causes water to flow away from a structure. Grading can be accomplished either with machinery or by hand.
Granules: Ceramic, color-coated crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.
Graphite: Fine black lubricating powder used dry or mixed with oil.
Gray Water: Waste water not containing sewage or fecal matter or food wastes. Waste water from bathing and laundry is gray water. Wastes from garbage disposal and toilets is not.
Grain: The direction, size, arrangement, appearance or quality of the fibers in wood.
Green Lumber: Lumber which has not been dried or seasoned
Ground: To connect any part of an electrical wiring system to a ground, either a cold water pipe or a long metal rod driven solidly into the soil, to keep metal parts of wiring system at zero volts.
Ground Beam: In construction, a horizontal member of iron, steel or stone that is located on or near the ground and used to support the superstructure and distribute its load.
Ground Floor: The floor of a building that is approximately level with the ground.
Grout: A thin, fluid mortar used to fill small joints and cavities in masonry work.
Gutter: The trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts.
Gypsum Board: Large panel composed of a fire-resistant gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper and used as a finish for walls and ceilings, or as a backing for other wall and ceiling material.

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H

H-Beam: An H-Shaped steel structural member, frequently used as a column.
Hall: A room at the entrance of a building or a passage that provides access to various parts of a building.
Hard Finish: The smooth, finished coat of plaster that is applied over rough plastering.
Hardware: The metal fittings of a building; e.g., hinges, locks, lifts, doorknobs.
Hardwood: Lumber cut from broad-leaved trees, e.g., oak, mahogany, walnut, birch, that is used for interior finishing and flooring; refers to a type of tree, not the hardness of the wood.
HARV/HVAC/HVACR: Heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, ventilation. A catch acronym for the four areas of mechanical engineering. It refers to the heating, air conditioning and duct work components.
Hatchway: A lifting or sliding door in a ceiling that gives access to an attic; a similar door in a floor, giving access to a cellar.
Header: A framing member which crosses and supports the ends of joists.
Head Jamb: A piece of finish material placed across the underside of the top of a door or window opening.
Head Lap: Shortest distance form the butt edge of an overlapping shingle to the upper edge of a shingle in the second course below. The triple coverage portion of the top lap of strip shingles.
Hearth: The floor of a fireplace. The front hearth extends out into the room and may be of brick or decorative stone; the back hearth is inside the fireplace and usually made of firebrick.
Heat Exchanger: The internal metal jacket in a forced air furnace that often cracks or rusts through.
Heating System: Any device or system for heating a building; usually, a furnace or boiler used to generate steam, hot water or hot air; a burner or air device that uses coal, oil, gas or electricity to heat water or air that is then circulated through the system, Types of heating systems include warm air, hot water, direct steam, radiant and electrical.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning system (HVAC): A unit that regulates the distribution of heat, cooling and fresh air throughout a building.
Heat Pump: A reverse cycle refrigeration unit that can be used for heating or cooling.
Hex Shingles: Shingles that have the appearance of a hexagon after installation.
High Wind Area: All areas along the coast that have been determined to be in high wind area.
Hip: The inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.
Hip Roof: A roof which slopes upward from all four sides of a building.
Hip Shingles: Shingles used to cover the inclined external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Hollow-Newel Stair: A circular stairway with a well hole in the middle.
Hollow Wall: A wall, usually of masonry, that consists of two vertical components with an air space in between.
Hood: A canopy over a casement window; the part of a fireplace that projects over the hearth; a chimney cap that eliminates down draft; a canopy over a cooking appliance that is usually ventilated to control and disperse heat or offensive odors.
Horizontal: Parallel to the horizon.
Horsefeathers: See Feathering Strips
Hose Bib: Faucet on the exterior of the house providing water to a garden hose.
Hot Tub: A large wooden or fiberglass tub in which a group of people may soak. Usually equipped with water heater, circulating pump, chlorinator and filter.
Hot Water System: A heating system consisting basically of a boiler, radiators, expansion tank and interconnection piping. The system is filled with water which circulates from the boiler through the pipes and radiators where its heat is liberated, the water returning to the boiler. Such heating systems are classified as gravity or forced circulation systems, either of one or two pipes and with open or closed expansion tanks.
House: A dwelling; may be single or double; e.g., duplex, townhouse, row house, split-level ranch.
Household Appliances: Kitchen and laundry appliances, room air conditioners and similar appliances.
HVAC: See heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

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I

I-Beam: A steel beam that resembles the letter I in cross section.
Ice Dam: Condition formed at the lower roof edge by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water up and under shingles, causing leaks.
Inspector: Any person who examines any component of a building, through visual means and through normal user controls, without the use of mathematical sciences.
Installed: Attached or connected such that the installed item requires tools for removal.
Insulating Board: A building board made of compressed plant fibers, e.g., wood, cane, corn, stalks, dried and pressed to a specific thickness.
Insulation: Any material used to reduce the transfer of heat, cold or sound.
Interior Trim: The finish on the interior of a building; e.g., casing, molding, baseboard.
Interlocking Shingles: Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.
Inward: Directed toward the interior.

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J

Jack Rafter: A short roof rafter that extends from another structural framing member, not from the top of the exterior wall.
Jack Stud: An extra vertical supporting member in a frame wall or partition over a door, window or archway.
Jalousies: Adjustable glass louvers in doors or windows that regulate light and air or exclude rain.
Jamb: The side framing or finish of a doorway or windows.
Jetty: In construction, the projection parts of a structure; e.g., a bay window, a balcony.
Joint: The point where two objects or surfaces meet; the space between units in a masonry wall that is occupied by mortar or bonding material.
Joint Compound: Plaster-like material used along with wallboard tape to fill and finish joints between gypsum board panels.
Joist: One of a series of parallel beams used to support floor and ceiling loads, and supported in turn by larger beams (girders) or bearing walls. Evenly spaced, horizontal lengths of lumber that provide structural support for floors and ceiling.
Junction Box: A box in an electrical systems where main circuits are connected or smaller circuits join the main circuit.

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K

Keystone: A wedge-shaped or trapezoidal structural piece that forms the center unit at the top of a masonry arch.
Kick Plate: A metal strip placed at the lower edge of a door to protect the finish.
Kite Winder: A triangular or kite-shaped step in a circular stairway that occurs where the direction of the stairway changes.
Knee Brace: A diagonal member (usually at a 45 degree angle) that is attached from a piling to a main structural beam or girder and serves to stiffen the foundation.
Knee Wall: A wall that acts as a brace by supporting roof rafters at an intermediate position along their length.
Knob and Tube Wiring.: Old electrical wiring on ceramic knobs and tubes secured to structural members of a property.

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L

Lally Column: A steel tube, sometimes filled with concrete, used to support girders and other floor beams.
Lamella Roof Structure: An arched, roof-framing structure composed of planking arranged in diamond shapes.
Laminate: To build up with layers of wood that are held together in a single unit; used to produce plywood and laminated beams. One layer is called a lamination or ply.
Laminated Floor: A floor deck made by gluing or spiking two-by-fours or planks together.
Laminated Shingles: Strip shingles containing more than one layer of tabs to create extra thickness. Also called three-dimensional shingles.
Laminated Wood: Wood that is laminated with the fibers or grains of the plies running parallel; as distinguished from plywood in which the grains of the plies run crosswise and only the fibers of the exterior plies are parallel.
Lap: To cover the surface of one shingle or roll with another.
Lap Cement: An asphalt-based cement used to adhere overlapping piles of roll roofing.
Lap Joint: The overlapping of two adjoining pieces of timber, wallpaper or other material. Also called butt joint.
Lap Siding: Siding used to finish the exterior surface of a house or other structure. Also called ship lap siding.
Lateral: Relating to the side. Of or pertaining to a side; anything situated at , proceeding from or directed to a side; any line that branches off or extends from a main line. e.g., the laterals of a septic system, an irrigation distribution ditch or pipe.
Lath: A building material of wood, metal, gypsum or insulating board that is fastened to the frame of a building to act as a plaster base.
Lateral Brace: A wall brace which stiffens a structure against loads acting on the side walls.
Lattice: An openwork screen of crossed strips, rods or bars of wood or metal.
Lavatory: A place where washing is done; a wash bowl. Also, a room fitted with a wash bowl and toilet facilities.
Leaching Trenches: Trenches that carry waste liquids from sewers, may be constructed in gravely or sandy soils that allow liquids to percolate into surrounding soils or dug into firm ground and filled with broken stones, tile, gravel and sand through which liquids leach.
Leach Line: In sewage disposal, a loose tile or perforated pipeline used to distribute sewage effluent throughout the soil.
Lead Boot: See Collar
Lean-To: A small structure with a pitched roof, usually erected against the outside wall of a larger structure.
Lean-To-Roof: A sloping roof that is supported on one side by the wall of an adjoining building.
Ledger: A strip attached to framing or structural members which supports joists or other horizontal framing.
Let-In: Refers to the process of cutting a notch in a series of studs, joists or other structural members and placing another member into the notches. The other member is used to stiffen or strengthen the original members.
Level: To determine if a surface is exactly horizontal or if two or more points are exactly the same height.
Life Expectancy: The number of additional years that an item can be expected to remain functional based on statistical data.
Lift Slab: A method of construction in which the floor and roof slabs are cast on top of one another at ground level, jacked into position and fastened to columns.
Light: A window pane; a section of a window sash; a single pane of glass.
Light Well: A well-like open area within a building that provides light and ventilation to inside rooms. An open, subsurface space around a basement window that provides light and air.
Linoleum: A floor covering made of burlap or canvas coated with a combination of powdered cork, powdered wood, linseed oil, pigments and rosins, smoked and glazed under pressure and cured by baking.
Lintel: A horizontal structural member that supports the load over an opening such as a door or window.
Live Load: The total of all moving and variable loads which may be placed upon a structure.
Load Bearing Member: A structural member designed to carry the live and dead loads of a building.
Locknut: Nut used to hold a threaded part in position or to prevent another nut form turning on a screw or bolt.
Loft: An attic-like space below the roof of a house or barn.
Loose Cable: An electrical cable that is not properly secured to structural members.
Louver: A slat or fin over an opening that is pitched to keep out rain and snow; a finned sunshade on a building; the diffusion grill on a fluorescent light fixture.
Lowest Floor: The lowest floor of the lowest enclosed areas of a building, including a basement.
Low Slope Application: Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 2 and 4 inches per foot.
Luminous Ceiling.: A suspended ceiling of translucent materials installed below a system of fluorescent tubes, making the entire ceiling a source of light; used to reduce glare and shadows.

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M

M Roof: A type of roof which is made up of two double-pitch roofs. This type of construction has two advantages; it utilizes shorter material for rafters and reduces the elevation of the building.
Main: A pipe, conduit or circuit leading to or from the branches of a utility system.
Main Circuit: Circuit that carries a heavy electrical load to the branch circuits of a distribution system.
Major Repairs/Minor Repairs.: A major repair will be a repair that is estimated to cost $500.00 or more for material or labor. A minor repair will be under that amount for material and labor. Amount of estimated cost will be determined by assuming the use of a licensed and qualified technician in the area being estimated, i.e., a qualified electrician for electrical repair, a qualified plumber for a plumbing repair, etc. This definition will apply to each repair.
Mansard Roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each of four sides. The lower plane has a much steeper pitch than the upper, often approaching vertical. Contains no gables.
Mantel: The decorative facing placed around a fireplace; usually made of ornamental wood and topped with a shelf.
Marcite: Plaster finish applied to inside swimming pool shell. It is the waterproof layer.
Masonry: Brick, stone, concrete or concrete block building material used for walls, floors and paving.
Masonry Primer: An asphalt-based primer used to prepare masonry surfaces for bonding with other asphalt products.
Masonry Wall: A wall of stone, brick, tile, cement block, concrete, etc.
Mastic: See Asphalt Plastic Cement
Mechanical Equipment: Any mechanical device located on the exterior of a structure.
Milling: Process that imparts a smooth surface to a piece of lumber; process that lends decorative shape to a piece of wood.
Mineral Stabilizers: Finely ground limestone, slate, trap-rock or other inert materials added to asphalt coatings for durability and increased resistance to fire and weathering.
Mineral-Surfaced Roofing: Asphalt shingles and roll roofing that are covered with granules.
Miter: To cut ends of two pieces of wood at an angle so they can be joined to form a corner.
Mobile Home: A house trailer; a complete livable dwelling equipped with wheels so that it may be towed from place to place by a truck or automobile, depending upon its size and the highway regulations of the states through which it will travel.
Modular Construction: Prefabrication in three dimension. Entire rooms are built in a factory and shipped to their eventual location, where very little ansate labor is required.
Moisture Barrier: The insulation material placed in a wall, floor or other parts of a structure to form a barrier against the passage of vapor or moisture in order to prevent condensation within such walls or floor.
Moisture Content: The weight of the water in wood expressed as a percentage of the weight of oven dry wood.
Molding: Milled piece of lumber used to hide a joint or add a finished look.
Monitor Roof: A type of framing which includes an elevated central section. It is generally encountered in industrial buildings and provides better lighting and ventilation.
Monolithic: A term used for concrete construction poured and cast in one unit without joints.
Mortar: Mixture of cement , sand, water and sometimes lime used as an adhesive for laying brick, stone, ceramic tile and concrete block.
Mortise: Recess made in a piece of wood to receive a lockset, hinge or other piece of hardware.
Mosaic: A decoration made of small pieces of glass, stone, ceramic or other material laid in mortar or mastic to form a design.
Mullion: A thin, vertical bar of wood, lead or stone that divides multiple windows, panes of glass, wall panels, screens, etc.
Muntin: A slender horizontal bar of wood or metal that divides panes in a window or panels in a door.

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N

Newel Post: A vertical post that supports the handrail at top or bottom of stairway or at a landing turn; the post around which a circular stairway winds.
No-Cutout Shingles: Shingles consisting of a single, solid tab with no cutouts.
Non-Expansive Soil: A soil which does not contain a significant amount of clay minerals which experience considerable volume changes in response to changes in the moisture content.
Non-Loading bearing Wall: A wall which supports no load other than its own weight.
Normal: Conforming with an accepted standard or model, corresponding to the median or average for type, appearance or function, i.e., natural standard or regular.
Normal Operating Controls: Homeowner operated devices such as a thermostat, wall switch or safety switch.
Normal Slope Application: Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes between 4 inches and 21 inches per foot.
Nosing: The rounded edge of a stair tread that projects over the riser.
Not inspected: Not applicable or not inspected due to conditions or circumstances existing at the time of the inspection.

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O

Oil Tank: A tank used to supply oil burning appliance such as a furnace, boiler or water heater. Oil tanks are frequently buried underground.
On Center ( Abbreviated By O.C.): The measurement of spacing for framing members, fasteners, etc., which designate the distance from the center of one member or component to the center of the next. Also called center to center spacing.
On-Site Water Supply Quantity: Water quantity is the rate of flow of water. Refer to water flow - 3 G.P.M. minimum.
Open Beam Construction: Frame construction in which the ceiling and ceiling joists are eliminated, leaving the beams and deck of the roof exposed and treating them as an element of the interior finish of the room. In this type of construction the structural members or the roof are usually heavier and may be on wider centers.
Open Valley: Method of valley construction in which shingles on both sides of the valley are trimmed along a chalk line snapped on each side of the valley. Shingles do not extend across the valley. Valley flashing is exposed.
Open Web Joists: Lightweight, parallel trusses of prefabricated metal.
Organic Felt: An asphalt roofing base material manufactured from cellulose fibers.
Oriel Window: A window that projects from the outer face of a wall, especially from an upper story, and is supported by brackets or a cantilever, as distinguished from a bay window, which is at first-floor level and usually supported by a foundation.
Outward: Directed toward the outside, usually at a 90 degree angle (perpendicular to) the exterior surface.
Overhang: That portion of the roof structure that extends beyond the exterior walls of a building.
Oversized Fuse: A fuse which does not provide adequate protection for an electrical circuit.

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P

Panel: A section of a surface, e.g., a wall, ceiling, that is raised or recessed and usually enclosed in a frame like border; prefabricated construction materials, e.g., gypsum board, plywood, fiberboard, plasterboard.
Panel Board: A panel to which are attached electrical meters and control equipment for electrical service distribution.
Panel Heating: A radiant heating system; one in which pipes or coils are embedded in walls or ceilings to serve as heating panels.
Parapet: A low wall or railing along the edge of a roof, balcony, bridge or terrace; constructed for protection, to control water, resulting from rain or artificial flooding or to insulate against sun's rays.
Parapet Wall: That part of a wall which extends above the roof line.
Parquet Floor: A floor that is laid in rectangular or square patterns, not in long strips; often of prefinished, thin, fabricated wood blocks.
Partition: An interior wall that divides a building; e.g., a permanent, inside wall that divides a house into various rooms.
Party Wall: A common wall erected along the boundary between adjoining properties; the respective owners have common right of use.
Patio: A courtyard; an open paved area used for outdoor living and which may or may not be partially or entirely surrounded by rooms or other parts of a house.
Penetrating Oil: Oil used to loosen joints- particularly rusted ones- between metal parts.
Penthouse: A building on the roof of a structure that contains elevator machinery, ventilating equipment, etc,; separate dwelling or apartment on the roof of an apartment house or other building; any roof-like shelter or overhanging part, e.g., a part that shelters a doorway.
Percolate: To pass slowly through a small opening, as a liquid. To filter.
Percolation Rate: Period of time it takes for water to be absorbed into the soil.
Perimeter: The total length of the periphery of a given area; e.g., the distance around the outside of a building.
Permanent Incorporation: When referring to wood framing members, this occurs when the wood is cut to size and nailed in place.
Perpendicular: Being at right angles (90 degrees) to a given line, plane or surface.
Picture Window: A large window, usually a fixed pane of plate or insulating glass; sometimes divided into small panes designed to command an interesting view or allow more light into the interior of the building.
Pier: A masonry column, usually rectangular in horizontal cross-section, used to support other structural members. Also a platform extending into water.
Pigtail: (1) A flexible conductor attached to a light fixture which provides a means of connecting the fixture of a circuit. (2) A short length of copper conductor that is attached to the end of an aluminum branch circuit by a special fastener. The copper conductor is then fastened to the terminal of a switch or outlet.
Pilaster: A pier-type projection of the foundation wall that is used to support a floor girder or stiffen the wall.
Piling: Beams driven vertically to support a building, bridge.
Pilot Flame: Small gas flame or electric spark that ignites a gas burner in a range, waterheater, dryer, furnace or boiler.
Pilot Hole: Starter hole drilled into wood or metal before inserting a screw or nail to prevent fastener from splitting wood. Diameter of hole must be smaller than fastener.
Pilot Orifice.: Small hole in a pilot through which gas passes before igniting.
Pitch: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span, in feet.
Plaster: A mixture of lime, sand and water that is used to finish walls and ceilings.
Plenum: A chamber or large duct above a furnace that serves as a distribution area.
Plumb: To determine if a vertical surface is exactly perpendicular (90 deg) to a horizontal plane.
Ply: A term to denote the number of sheets in a layered construction, such as plywood, roofing, etc.
Pointing (Repointing): The filling of open mortar joints. Removal of deteriorated mortar from between joints of masonry units and replacement of it with new mortar.
Poor: In below-average condition given its age and function, will need substantial repair or replacement in the reasonably near future, showing definite signs of wear and/or usage.
Porte Cochere: A roof that extends from a building's entrance over an adjacent driveway to shelter people getting in or out of vehicles.
Portico: A roof supported by columns, either part of a building or standing alone.
Powder Actuated Fasteners: A fastener which is set (usually into masonry or concrete) by a powder charge.
Primary Windows and Doors: Windows and/or doors which are designed to remain in their respective openings year round and not left open for the entire summer.
Prime: To apply an undercoat of paint or sealer to seal pores of wood and provide a surface to which finish coats can adhere.
PRV: Pressure Release Valve. Serves as a safety device on water heaters and boilers.
PTL: Pressure Treated Lumber. Resistant to water and insects.
Pulley: A wheel grooved to receive a cord, cable, or belt, such as in a window sash, roll-up garage door, or blower.
Purlin: A structural member that is laid horizontally to support roof rafters or a roof deck; in mansard roof construction, a base that supports the rafters in the upper slope of a gambrel or mansard roof.
Pyramid Roof: A roof with four sides and four ridges that resembles a pyramid; usually comes to a point in the center.
PVC: Polyvinyl chloride (plastic) waste line material.

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Q

Quarry Tile: A hard-burned, unglazed ceramic tile.
Quick-Setting Cement: An asphalt-based cement used to adhere tabs of strip shingles to the course below. Also used to adhere roll roofing laps applied by the concealed nail method.

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R

Racking: Roofing application method in which shingle courses are applied vertically up the roof rather than across and up. NOT a recommended procedure.
Radiant Heating: A type of steam, electric or hot water heat that uses pipes concealed in floors, ceilings or walls.
Radiator: An exposed fixture that heats with a combination of radiation and convection; e.g. the common, cast-iron radiator; as distinguished from convectors, finned heating elements that are concealed in walls or cabinets, e.g., baseboard heating.
Rafter: One of a series of inclined structural roof members spanning from an exterior wall to a center ridge beam or ridge board.
Rake Edge: The edge of a gable roof system which runs parallel to the roof slope, from the eave to the ridge.
Rail: The horizontal piece in a door, window sash or panel.
Rake: The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall.
Random-Tab Shingles: Shingles on which tabs vary in size and exposure.
Rap: U-shaped section of pipe located between a fixture or appliance and a branch drain that holds water, forming a seal to prevent sewer gas from entering through fixture drain.
Readily Openable Access Panel: A panel provided for homeowner inspection and maintenance which has removable or operable fasteners or latch devices in order to be lifted off, swung open or otherwise removed and its edges and fasteners are not painted in place.
Receptacle: Device in an electric wiring system to which a lamp, appliance or extension cord is connected b means of a plug on the end or a cord.
Refractory: A material, usually nonmetallic, used to withstand high temperatures, as in the combustion chamber of an oil-fired heating system.
Refrigerant: Substance used in a refrigerator or air conditioner that absorbs and releases heat.
Register: Grill at end of a supply or return duct in a forced warm-air heating system or refrigerated air conditioning system through which air enters or leaves a room.
Reinforced Concrete: Concrete that is strengthened by embedding iron or steel bars, rods or mesh in it.
Relay: An electromechanical switch. A device in which changes in the current flow in one circuit are used to open or close electrical contacts in a second circuit.
Repairs: Current expenditures for general upkeep to preserve a property's condition and efficiency.
Representative Number: For multiple identical components such as windows and electrical outlets - one such component per room. For multiple identical exterior components one- such component on each side of the building.
Resilient Tile: A manufactured interior floor covering that is resilient, such as vinyl or vinyl-asbestos tile.
Reverse Polarity: Electrical outlets which have hot and neutral wire attached to the wrong terminals
Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Ridge Beam: The beam or board placed on edge at the ridge (top) of the roof into which the upper ends of the rafters are fastened.
Ridge Shingles: Shingles used to cover the horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes.
Rise: The vertical distance from the eaves line to the ridge.
Riser: The vertical height of a stair step. Also used as the name of the vertical boards that close the space between the treads of a stairway.
Roll Roofing/Rolled Roofing: Asphalt roofing products manufactured in roll form.
Roof: The top of the house. Used broadly to include the roofing, flashing, sheeting, substructure, gutters and roof attachments.
Roof Diaphragm: A specially designed roof section which resists vertical and lateral forces resulting from wind loading of the structure.
Roof Drainage Systems: Gutters, downspouts, leaders, splashblocks, and similar components used to carry water off a roof and away from a building.
Roofing: The covering of the roof. The part intended to keep the water from damaging the rest.
Roofing Cement: Black elastic water-proofing compound used in flashing and roofing installations and for repairs.
Roofing Felt: Thick,fibrous paper impregnated with asphalt used between roof deck and some roofing materials.
Roofing Tape: An asphalt-saturated tape used with asphalt cements for flashing and patching asphalt roofing.
Room: An interior subdivision of a structure, usually accompanied by descriptive term signifying use, such as living room, bedroom.
RRT: Railroad tie often used in landscaping.
Run: The horizontal distance from the eaves to a point directly under the ridge. One half the span.

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S

Safety Glazing: Tempered glass, laminated glass or rigid plastic.
Sash: Part of a window that holds the glass and is supported by the frame.
Saturant: Asphalt used to impregnate an organic felt base material.
Saturated Felt: Asphalt-impregnated felt used as an underlayment between the deck and the roofing material.
Sawtooth Roof: A roof consisting of a series of single-pitch roofs, usually found on factory buildings, garages or similar structures; allows abundant light and ventilation.
Sea Wall: Embankment to prevent erosion of flooding.
Scab: A piece of wood or metal which is fastened or attached to another member and serves to add additional length or width.
Score: To cut or scribe a fine line on a surface in order to facilitate cutting or to mark a cutting or location line.
Scouring: The erosion of sand and soil caused by wave action.
Screed: To bring a fill material flush with the surrounding surface.
Scuttle: A framed opening in a ceiling or roof that is fitted with a lid or cover.
Self-Sealing Strip or Spot: Factory-applied adhesive that bonds shingle courses together when exposed to the heat of the sun after application.
Self-Sealing Shingles: Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.
Self-Tapping Screw: Screw that cuts its own thread in metal when driven into a pilot hole.
Selvage: That portion of roll roofing overlapped by the succeeding course to obtain double coverage.
Semi-Circular Roof: A type of curved roof that is often used on farm houses.
Septic System: A private sewage system that usually consists of a septic tank, a distribution box, a septic field and connecting pipes and lateral.
Septic Tank: A tank in which sewage is held until the organic matter decomposes by natural bacterial action and most of the solid matter dissolves into liquids and gases that flow into the septic field.
Setscrew: Headless screw used to hold two metal parts together, such as a pulley on a shaft, a handle on some faucets of a socket on a light fixture.
Shading: Slight differences in shingle color that may occur as a result of normal manufacturing operations.
Shake: A hand-split shingle that is usually edge-grained.
Shearwall: A specially designed wall section which resists lateral forces resulting from wind loading of the structure.
Sheathing: Exterior grade plywood or tongue-and-groove boards used as a roof deck. The structural covering, usually wood boards or plywood, over a building's exterior studs or rafters.
Sheave: A wheel with a grooved rim (pulley).
Shed Roof: A roof containing only one sloping plane. Has no hips, ridges, valleys or gables.
Shelter Tube: Mud-type tube (tunnel) built by termites as a passageway between the ground and the source of food (wood).
Shim: Small, thin piece of wood, cardboard, or metal; use these pieces to adjust level, plumb or alignment.
Shingles: A surfacing material used on roofs or walls and composed of thin, small sheets of waterproof material, e.g., asphalt, wood, slate, tile.
Shut Down: A piece of equipment of a system is shut down when it cannot be operated by the device or control, which a home owner should normally use to operate it. If a safety switch or circuit breaker is in the off position, or its fuse is missing or blown, the inspector is not required to re-establish the circuit for the purpose of operating the equipment or system.
Shut-Off Valve: Device that controls flow of water or gas to an individual fixture or appliance or to the entire system.
Side: A longitudinal wall of structure.
Side Jamb: A piece of finish material that is laid vertically on the interior sides of a floor or window to shape the opening.
Siding: The finished covering on the outside wall of a building.
Siding: Finish lumber used on exterior walls; e.g., bevel siding, boards and battens, shingles.
Sill: The lowest member of the frame of a structure, usually horizontal, resting on the foundation and supporting uprights of the frames. Also the lowest member of a window or outside door frame.
Sill: The lowest piece on which a window or exterior door rests; usually slanted downward slightly to provide for rainwater runoff.
Sill Plate: The lowest member of the house framing resting on top of the foundation wall. Also called mud sill.
Single Coverage: Asphalt roofing that provides one layer of roofing material over the deck.
Single Pitch Roof: A single-plane roof with a pitch of more than 20 degrees.
Skylight: Window located in a ceiling/roof.
Slab Floor: Floor constructed on grade; normally concrete.
Slide: A sloped piece of metal or wood permanently attached to the side of a swimming pool from which people may project into the water.
Sludge: Slimy matter precipitated from sewage in sedimentation tank.
Slope: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise in inches, to the run, in feet.
Small Building: A one or two story building having a plan dimension of 60' x 60' or less, or a three story building having a plan dimension of 40' x 50' or less.
Smooth Surfaced Roofing: Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules.
Soffit: The visible underside of a roof overhang or eave.
Soil Stack: Large drain-waste and vent pipe that connects toilet and branch drains to main house drain and extends out of the roof.
Sole Plate: The lowest horizontal member on wall and partition framing (see sill).
Solid Fuel Heating Device: Any wood, coal, or other similar organic fuel burning device, including but not limited to fireplaces whether masonry or factory built, fireplace inserts and stoves, woodstoves (room heaters), central furnaces and combinations of these devices.
SPA: A whirlpool bath used privately in a residence.
Span: The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.
Splice: To join wires by twisting and soldering or with solderless connectors.
Split-Level House: A house with living areas on two or more levels of less than single-story height.
Square: A unit of roof measure covering 100 square feet.
Square-Tab Shingles: Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.
Stack: A vertical waste or vent pipe.
Stair Landing: A platform between flights of stairs.
Stairs: A flight of steps from one level or floor to another.
Stairway: The flights of stairs and landings in a building that form a continuous passage from one floor to another.
Standard Full Inspection: A comprehensive inspection of all systems of the property including heating, roof, structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, windows, doors, floors, walls, ceiling, etc.
Starter Strip: Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provides protection by filling in the spaces under the cut-outs and joints of the first course of shingles.
Start of Construction: The first placement of a permanent construction of a structure on a site, such as pouring slabs or footings or any other work beyond the stage of excavation.
Steep Slope Application: Method of installing asphalt shingles on roof slopes greater than 21 inches per foot.
Step Flashing: Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane.
Stile: A structural member of a parallel or glazed door. An exterior or perimeter member of a window, other than the meeting, check, rail in a double-hung window.
Stool: The wooden base or support at the bottom of a window; e.g., the shelf-like interior piece that extends across the bottom of a window opening.
Story: A horizontal division of a building; the portion between one floor and the floor above or below it.
Stringer: A long horizontal timber which is used to connect uprights in a frame and/or to support a floor.
Stringer (Step): One of the enclosed sides of a stair supporting the treads and risers.
Strip Shingles: Asphalt shingles that are approximately three times as long as they are wide.
Strongback: An L-shaped wooden support attached to tops of ceiling joists to strengthen them, maintain spacing, and bring them to the same level.
Structural Component: A component which supports non-variable forces or weights (dead loads) and variable forces or weights (live loads).
Structural Inspection: A special inspection of load bearing members in a building.
Strut: A piece of wood fixed between two other pieces or members, designed to receive pressure or weight along its length.
Stucco: A cement plaster that is used as a finish for exterior wall surfaces, usually applied over a metal or wood lath base.
Studs: Vertical pieces of lumber usually spaced on 16 or 24-inch centers and attached to top and sole plates, forming the structural core of interior and exterior walls of a house
Subfloor: Boards, planks or plywood nailed to floor joists to provide structural rigidity and a base for finish flooring.
Sump Pump: An automatic electric pump installed in a basement or other low area to empty the sump, a pit serving as a drain.
Suspended Ceiling: A ceiling system that is supported by overhead, structural framing.
Swale: A shallow depression in the ground to form a channel for storm water drainage.
Sweat water: Fresh water.
Swimming Pool: A man made structure, either in-ground or above ground which holds water in which a person may swim.
Swimming Pool Cleaning Equipment: Equipment necessary to maintain a swimming pool.
Swimming Pool Pump: A pump which circulates the water in a swimming pool.
System: A combination of interacting or interdependent components, assembled to carry out one or more functions.

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Tab: The exposed portion of strip shingles defined by cutouts.
Technically Exhaustive: A home inspection is technically exhaustive when it involves the extensive use of measurements, instruments, testing, calculations and other means to develop scientific or engineering findings. conclusions and recommendations.
Termite Shield: A metal sheet that is placed in the exterior walls of a house near ground level, usually under the sill, to prevent terminates from entering the house.
Terrace: A finished, but unroofed, outdoor area adjacent to, and accessible from a house or other structure; usually at grade or slightly elevate.
Terrazzo: A floor material made of small fragments of colored stone or marble that are embedded in cement and polished to a high glaze.
Texture: To form a patterned, raised surface on stucco, plaster, gypsum board or paint.
Thermal: Of or pertaining to heat or temperature.
Thermal Insulation: Material that has a high resistance to the passage of heat; used to block the passage of heat from a warm building to the exterior when outdoor temperatures are low and the entrance of heat into a cooled interior when outside temperatures are high.
Thermocouple: A device consisting of two junctions of dissimilar metals. When the two junctions are at different temperatures, a voltage is generated. Used in controlling gas valves.
Thermostat: A device that is electrically operated and actuated by thermal conduction or convection and automatically acts to establish and maintain a desired temperature.
Thermostatically Controlled Ventilator: A ventilator normally found in the attic that goes on and off automatically depending upon the temperature.
Three-Dimensional Shingles: See Laminated Shingles
Threshold: A strip of wood, stone or metal that is placed beneath a door.
Thumbscrew: Screw with a special head that can be turned with thumb and forefinger.
Tie: A device that joins two or more structural members; e.g., timber, rod, chain, clip, wire.
Tie Beam: A structural member used to hold two separated members together.
Tile: Originally, a molded and burned clay or cement used for flooring, facing walls, roofing and trim; commonly, includes tile made of many different materials, e.g., asphalt, plastic, vinyl, fiberglass and used for a number of purposes, e.g., filed tile sewer tile, ceiling tile, acoustical tile, roofing tile.
Toenail: Driving a nail at an angle into the corner of one wood-frame member in order for the nail to penetrate into a second member.
Tool: To finish a mortared joint in masonry, leaving an impression of the finished tool.
Top Lap: That portion of the roofing covered by the succeeding course after installation.
TPRV: Temperature, pressure, relief valve. A safety valve found on modern hot water heaters that will relieve hot water pressure when the temperature or pressure reaches 210 deg Fahrenheit or 150 PSI, respectively.
Trailer: A mobile home, a house trailer.
Transformer: Electrical device that raises or lowers voltage in a circuit.
Traverse Window: A type of window containing two movable sashes set in separate grooves, permitting the windows to slide past each other horizontally.
Tread: The horizontal board in a stairway on which the foot is placed.
Trim: The visible finishing work on the interior of a building; includes all wood, metal or plastic ornamental parts used to cover joints between jambs and plaster around windows and doors may also include hardware.
Truss: A structural member utilizing triangular shapes to gain strength with a minimum amount of material.
Tuck Pointing: Inserting mortar between courses of masonry.

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UL: Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Ul Label: Label displayed on packaging to indicate the level of fire and/or wind resistance of asphalt roofing.
Undercut: To cut away inner edges of a crack or hole in the shape of an inverted V in order to provide a stronger base for patching material.
Underfloor Crawl Space: The area within the confines of the foundation and between the ground and the underside of the lowest floor structural component.
Underfloor Wiring System: A system in which ducts or raceways are built into a floor to house electrical wiring.
Underlayment: Asphalt saturated felt used beneath roofing to provide additional protection from the deck.
Underpinning: Timbers, steel beams or other temporary props used to support a foundation during construction; also permanent supports installed to increase the load-bearing capacity of a foundation or wall.
Utility Room: A room that is designed or used for laundry, heating, equipment or related purposes.

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Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of tow sloping roof planes.
Valve: Device in a heating or plumbing system that controls the flow of a liquid or gas.
Vapor Barrier: Any material used to prevent the passage of water vapor.
Vaporize: To convert liquid into a gas, usually by application of heat.
Vault: A continuous length of arched ceiling.
Vent: Any outlet for air that protrudes through the roof deck such as a pipe or stack. Any device installed on the roof, gable or soffit for the purpose of ventilating the underside of the roof deck.
Ventilation: The circulation of air in a room or building; a process of changing the air in a room by natural or artificial means.
Vent Pipe: A small pipe that extends from plumbing fixtures to a vent stack in the roof, allowing sewer gases to escape to the outer air.
Vent Sleeve: See Collar
Vent Stack: Pipe that rids plumbing system of sewer gas and prevents pressure buildup in pipes.
Vestibule: A small entrance hall to a building or room.
Vinyl: A man-made plastic material.
Volt: Unit of measurement denoting electrical pressure or potential (usually abbreviated V).

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Wainscot: A facing or panel that is applied to the walls of a room. The lower part of an interior wall that is finished with a material different from the upper part.
Wall: A vertical structure of stone, brick, wood or other similar material that encloses, divides supports and protects; e.g., one of the vertical enclosing sides of a building or room.
Wallboard: Any artificially prepared sheet materials or panels that are used to cover walls or ceilings as a substitute or base for plaster .
Wall Furnace: A small, gas-fired hot air furnace that fits between the studs of a wall has no ducts; uses a small fan to circulate room air through the furnace and to distribute heated air.
Warm Air System: A heating system in which furnace-heated air moves to living space through a single register or series of ducts circulated by natural convection (gravity system) or by a fan or blower in the duct work (forced system).
Washer: Flat disc with a center hole sued under a screw, bolt or nut.
Water Flow Rate: The quantity of water measured in gallons per minute. Minimum flow is 3 gallons per minute for a prolonged period of time to the average single family residence.
Water Line/Main: Pipe supply water from source to point of use. Several types of material - brass, copper, CPVC, galvanized, lead, polybutylene, cast iron, wood - may be used.
Water Pressure: Force applied to water enabling it to flow through a restricted water line. Pressure is measured in Pound Per Square Inch (PSI). Average pressure is considered between 30 to 60 PSI.
Waterproofing: To make impervious to water or dampness.
Watt: A measure of electricity equal to the power created by a current of one ampere flowing at one volt pressure.
WC: Water Closet. Room containing toilet and wash basin.
Wear and Tear: Loss or damage resulting from use.
Weatherstrip: A thin strip of metal, felt, wood, etc., that is used to cover the joint between a door or window sash and the jamb, casing or sill; keeps out air, dust, rain, etc.
Weep Hole: Small opening at the bottom of a retaining wall or the lower section of a masonry veneer facing on a wood-frame exterior wall, which permits water to drain.
Well: A hole drilled into the earth, generally by boring, to obtain water.
Well Water Yield: The amount of water a well is capable of producing.
Wet-Sanding: Using water and fine sandpaper with a waterproof blacking, known as wet-or-dry paper, to achieve a smooth finish on joint compound without clogging the sandpaper's abrasive grains.
Whirlpool Bath: A bath in which the water continuously circulates in a circular motion and in which the temperature can be set at varying degrees.
Window: A glassed opening in a wall or ceiling that provides natural light and ventilation; types include awning, casement, circlehead or fan, clerestory, double hung, fixed and traverse or sliding.
Window Sill: The lower or base framing of a window opening.
Window Wells: A device installed outside of a window in a foundation to allow grading and not cover the window with earth.
Wing: A building section or addition projecting out from the main structure.

Wood Destructive Insects: Any insect or organism capable of causing damage to wooden members.
Wood Frame Construction: Construction in which walls and partitions are formed by the wood framing of studs, or posts and girts, supporting a wooden roof and floor decks; may be covered with wood, metal, stucco, composition siding or shingles or veneered with brick or stone facing.
Wood Preservative: Chemical applied to wood to protect it from insects, dry rot and moisture.
Worm Gear: Toothed gear and screw combination found in casement window operators and in tilt mechanisms of venetian blinds.
Woven Valley: Method of valley construction in which shingles from both sides of the valley extend across the valley and are woven together by overlapping alternate courses as they are applied. The valley flashing is not exposed.
Wrought Iron: A comparatively pure form of iron with practically no carbon, that is easily forged, welded. Steel that has been molded and worked into ornamental shapes and patterns; used for railing, gates, furniture, etc.

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