a
- air gapsearch for term
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A vent designed to prevent water backflow/contamination during dishwasher use.
- angle stopsearch for term
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Water shut-off valve(s) underneath sinks that allow the main faucets to be maintained or replaced. The toilet also has an angle stop which turns off water in case of toilet overflow. These have a high failure rate if not maintained and used fairly regularly.
- anode rodsearch for term
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A sacrificial aluminum or magnesium rod used to prevent rusting.
- as per codesearch for term
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A collection of legal requirements for buildings designed to protect the safety, health, and general welfare of people who work and live in them.
- asbestossearch for term
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A common, pervasive hazardous mineral fiber found in many older buildings.
- astragalsearch for term
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A trim board that is attached to the active side of a French door or double window. It acts as a stop, a weatherstripping mount, prevents air/water entry and is a cosmetic trim.
b
- BTUsearch for term
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Abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, a standard unit for measuring heat gain or loss.
- bulkheadsearch for term
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A horizontal or inclined door providing access to a cellar.
c
- catch basinsearch for term
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A receptor or reservoir in the ground that receives surface water runoff or drainage.
- cesspoolsearch for term
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A lined excavation in the ground that receives the discharge of a sewer drainage system.
- circuit breakersearch for term
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An electrical device for discontinuing current to electrical receptacles.
- condensationsearch for term
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Moisture that accumulates in a building, frequently on the inside of the exterior walls.
- cornicesearch for term
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The part of a roof that projects out from the wall.
- crawl spacesearch for term
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A shallow space below a building between the foundation walls.
- creosotesearch for term
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Carbon deposits left in stovepipes and chimneys from condensed wood smoke.
- culvertsearch for term
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A passage for water below ground level.
d
- dampersearch for term
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A movable plate that regulates the draft of a stove, fireplace, or furnace.
- dormersearch for term
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A structure projecting from a sloped roof, usually with a window.
- downspoutssearch for term
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A pipe usually metal or plastic used to carry water from the roof gutters.
- dry wellsearch for term
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A pit that is designed to contain drainage water until it can be absorbed into the soil.
- ductssearch for term
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The tubes and channels used to distribute conditioned air from heating or cooling systems
e
- easementsearch for term
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The right to use land owned by another, such as a utility company's right-of-way.
- eavesearch for term
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That part of a roof that projects over a wall.
- efflorescencesearch for term
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A white powdery deposit of salts left on the surface of foundations and masonry walls by moisture.
- egresssearch for term
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A means or place of going out; exit.
- elbowsearch for term
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An L-shaped pipe fitting.
f
- fasciasearch for term
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A vertical board nailed on the ends of the rafters. It is part of the outer edge of a cornice.
- flashingsearch for term
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Metal or other impervious material used to prevent water from entering at building joints.
- fluesearch for term
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The opening in a chimney through which smoke passes.
g
- gablesearch for term
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The portion of the end of a building that extends upward to the peak of the roof.
- GFCIsearch for term
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Ground fault circuit interrupter; a quick tripping circuit breaker that can stop the flow of electricity within 1/40 second of sensing a short or current leak. They are designed for use in areas where there is potential risk of shock such as outdoors, around kitchen and bathroom sinks and in carports/garages. GFCI's are required by the building code now although retrofitting is optional.
- groundsearch for term
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A conducting connection between an electric circuit or equipment and the earth or some other grounded body.
- groutsearch for term
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A thin cement mortar used for leveling and filling masonry and tile applications.
- gypsum boardsearch for term
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A sheet of material made of gypsum also sheetrock or drywall. Used in place of interior plaster in modern construction.
h
- HomeCaresearch for term
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Our seasonal home maintenance program.
- HPSsearch for term
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Abbreviation for Home Preservation Service
j
- jackssearch for term
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Waterproof penetrations through the roof for plumbing vents and electrical masts.
- joistsearch for term
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A horizontal structural member that supports the floor system or ceiling system.
k
- knob and tubesearch for term
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Older electric wiring through walls where insulated wires are supported with porcelain knobs and tubes when passing through wood construction members.
l
- low water cutoff valvesearch for term
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A shut off valve that turns off a boiler with low water.
m
- maintenancesearch for term
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The act of preventing deterioration and breakdowns in a building system.
- mildewsearch for term
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Fungus that appears on organic matter when exposed to high moisture levels.
- mud tunnelsearch for term
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Tubes made of dirt used by termites to travel from the ground to the wood structure.
- mudsillsearch for term
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The wood member placed directly on top of the foundation wall in woodframe construction.
- muriatic acidsearch for term
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An acid used to clean masonry surfaces.
o
- outfallsearch for term
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The exposed or daylight end of a drainage system where the collected water spills out.
p
- perimeter drainsearch for term
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A system of drains used to divert water away from a building foundation.
- powder-post beetlesearch for term
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Wood destroying insects that turn wood into a fine powdery residue.
- pressure treated woodsearch for term
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Wood treated with a chemical preservative under pressure.
r
- radonsearch for term
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Naturally occurring gas that is caused by the radioactive decay of the element radium.
- ridgesearch for term
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The uppermost horizontal line of the roof.
- romexsearch for term
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An electrical cable that has multiple conductors protected by a non-metallic coating or sheath.
s
- seepagesearch for term
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Slow water leaks occurring in piping or through basement walls.
- septic tanksearch for term
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A watertight collector that receives sewage from the plumbing drains.
- sheathingsearch for term
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The structural covering of boards or wallboards, placed over exterior studding or rafters of a structure.
- soffitsearch for term
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The underside of a roof overhang or eave.
- spark arrestorsearch for term
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A device placed on top of a chimney designed to catch embers. It is strongly recommended if the home has a wood shake roof or is located in a fire prone area.
- stuccosearch for term
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A cement plaster used for the finish siding on exterior surfaces of buildings.
- sump pumpsearch for term
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A small pump used to remove water.
t
- T/P relief valvesearch for term
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The temperature and pressure relief valve on a water heater tank.
- T/Ssearch for term
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Trouble Shoot
- termitesearch for term
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Wood destroying insects the size and appearance of winged ants.
v
- valleysearch for term
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The inside angle formed by the junction of two sloping sides of a roof.
- vapor barriersearch for term
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Material used to retard the flow of moist air into wall cavities to prevent condensation.
- ventilationsearch for term
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The means by which circulating air is introduced or removed from a structure.
w
- weather-strippingsearch for term
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Material used to prevent the passage of air around doors and windows.
- weepholesearch for term
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A small opening that allows water to escape from an enclosed area.