| Amperage
- The rate of flow of electricity through wire - measured in terms of amperes. Backfill
- The slope of the ground adjacent to the house.
Ball Cock Valve - The valve controlling the refilling of the toilet
tank.
Beam - A supporting member either of wood or steel.
Bridging - short, structural members criss - crossed between beams to
provide reinforcement and distribution of stress.
BTU - A measure of the capacity of a heating or cooling system.
Abbreviation of British Thermal Unit.
BX Cable - Armored electrical cable wrapped in galvanized steel outer
covering.
Caulking - Material used to seal exterior cracks and openings such as
windows or foundations.
Circuit Breakers - A protective device which automatically opens an
electrical circuit when it is overloaded.
Condensation - Water condensing on wails, ceiling and pipes. Normal in
areas of high humidity, usually controlled be ventilation or a dehumidifier.
Conduit - A hollow pipe casing through which electric lines run .
Downspout - The pipe that carries water down from the gutter or
scupper. Also called a leader.
Eave - The part of the roof which extends beyond the side wall.
Efflorescence - A white powder on the surface of wails due to
evaporation of water.
Energy Efficiency Ratio - An air conditioning efficiency rating system
which indicates the number of BTU'S delivered per watt of power consumed.
Fascia - A flat, horizontal board enclosing the overhang under the
eave.
Flashing - Material used around any angle in a roof or wall to prevent
leakage.
Flue - A pipe used to exhaust smoke, gas or air.
Flush Valve - The valve separating the water in the tank from the
bowl.
Footing - The underground support for a foundation or support post.
Foundation - The lowest part of a wall or series of piers on which a
structure is built.
Galvanized Pipe - Iron pipe with a zinc coating. Formerly used for
water lines.
GFI - Abbreviation for Ground Fault Interrupter. A type of circuit
breaker now required in areas containing water lines.
Girder - A main supporting beam of the house.
Grade - Ground level.
Grouting - Material used around ceramic tile as filler.
Gutter - A trough used at the edge of a roof to collect rain.
Header - Wood member above door or window opening.
Hearth - The bottom of a fireplace.
Home Inspection - A limited time, non -
technical visual evaluation of the readily accessible areas, for the sole purpose of
identifying major deficiencies.
Home Inspector - An individual who has a broad general background and
understanding relating to basic house construction, common house problems and methods for
their correction.
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Jamb
- The side of the door frame facing the opening. Joists - parallel,
horizontal beams laid edgewise from wall to wall to support the boards of a floor or
ceiling.
Knob and Tube - An old form of wiring.
Lally Column - A round steel cylinder usually filled with
concrete to support overhead beams.
Major Deficiency - A deficiency is considered major if it severely
affects the habitability of the dwelling, or in the opinion of the inspector, may cost
more than $21,000 to repair.
Octopus Receptacle - An overcrowded outlet.
Old Termite Activity - Evidence of former activity but none present.
Open Splice - An unboxed electrical connection.
Parging - A coat of cement over block foundation wails.
Point Up (Repointing) - To fill the joints
between the brick.
Rafter - A sloping rib member of a roof .
Recaulk - Fill in the cracks.
Receptacle - An electrical outlet for a plug.
Register - An opening through which air travels from the ducts into a
room.
Ridge Board - The horizontal structural member at the top of a roof
where the rafters meet.
Roof Pitch - The degree of a roof's slope.
Scuttle - opening to attic.
Sheathing - The covering on roofs or wails below the exterior roof .
Sheetrock - Also called plasterboard or dry
wall.
Sill Plate - Framing lumber placed on and around the foundation to
support the exterior wall studs.
Sill Cock - Exterior water hose pipe connection.
Slag - The gravel sometimes found on a built-up roof.
Soffit - The underside of a cornice at the eaves.
Stucco - An exterior plaster wall surface.
Stud - A vertical, framing member in a wall or partition.
Sump - A pit in the basement floor into which water drains to be
pumped out with a sump pump.
Swale - A wide, depression in the ground.
Trap - A bend in a water pipe to hold water and prevent gases from
escaping into the house.
Vent Pipe - A pipe allowing gas to escape from plumbing stacks.
Voltage - The pressure behind the flow of electricity, measured in
terms of volts.
Wattage - The amount of electricity flowing through a line, measured
in terms of wafts. (Voltage times amperage equals watts.)
Weatherstripping - Material used around door and window openings to
prevent rain, wind, and cold from entering the house.
Weep Hole - Drain hole to allow moisture to escape.
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