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 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.

GFCI - Abbreviation for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. A type of protected 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.

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 Defect - A defect is considered major if in the opinion of the inspector, will require an immediate expenditure in excess of $1,000 to prevent further deterioration of the property.

Overcrowded Receptacle - An overcrowded outlet.

Old Termite Activity - Evidence of former activity but none present.

Open Splice - An unboxed electrical connection.

Parge - A coat of cement over block foundation wails.

Point Up (re-pointing) - To fill the joints between the brick.

Rafter - A sloping rib member of a roof .

Re-caulk - 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 gypsum, plasterboard or dry wall.

Sill Plate - Framing lumber placed on and around the foundation to support the exterior wall studs, also called a mud sill.

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.)

Weather stripping - 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.