Glossary

Glossary of 7847 Property Development Terms

S

Saber Saw -

• A saw to use if you need the ability to follow curved or straight lines, cut metal (as well as plastic, brick, etc. with the right blade) or enclosed holes.
• A popular tool, the unique design provides relatively-safe cutting.
• A saw that cuts on the upstroke, good side of wood faces down.

Sack Mix - The amount of Portland cement in a cubic yard of concrete mix, generally, 5 or 6 sacks are required in a foundation wall.

Saddle - A small second roof built behind the back side of a fireplace chimney to divert water around the chimney. Also, the plate at the bottom of some - usually exterior - door openings. Sometimes called a threshold.

Sales Contract - A contract between a buyer and seller which should explain:

• What the purchase includes.
• What guarantees are included.
• When the buyer can move in.
• What the closing costs are.
• What recourse the parties have if the contract is not fulfilled or if the buyer cannot get a mortgage commitment at the agreed upon time.

Sales Fee Agency - A fixed amount or percentage of the value of your house paid to an estate agent when they sell your house.

Salt Box Roof - A side gable with one side long and extending down to the first floor and the other side short covering the second floor.

Salt Glaubers - Sodium sulfate a eutectic salt that melts at 90°F. and absorbs about 104 Btu per pound as it does so.

Salts Eutectic - A group of materials that melt at low temperatures, absorbing large quantities of heat.

Samples Ambient Background - Prevalent Level Samples.

Sand Float Finish - Lime that is mixed with sand, resulting in a textured finish on a wall.

Sand Lake - Sand consisting predominantly of fine, rounded particles.

Sander Belt - Reach for this tool when you want to save some elbow grease from a hand plane. Powerful and able to remove stock aggressively, this tool is fitted with a coarse abrasive belt that can grind down door edges and trim uneven frames. Comes in a range of sizes.

Sander Belt - An electric sanding tool where the sand paper abrasive is a continuous belt.

Sander Narrow Belt - A good sander for narrow spaces and tight spots. Easy to maneuver, but doesn't do well on wide surfaces.

Sander Orbittal - Great for finishing work, the square pad can sand inside corners. Should be used with care, because swirl marks can show up when sanding dense hardwoods. Accepts sheet sandpaper.

Sander Random Orbit - This tool spins like a disc sander but moves in a circular orbit, like an orbital sander. This action chews through wood grain but doesn’t leave cross-grain scratches. Can sand in any direction.

Sandstone - A sedimentary rock formed by the consolidation and compaction of sand and held together by a natural cement, such as silica.

Sandwich Panel - A panel with plastic, paper, or other material enclosed between two layers of a different material.

Sanitary Sewer - A sewer system designed for the collection of waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry drains, and is usually not designed to handle storm water.

Sap Wood - The outer zone of wood, next to the bark. In the living tree it contains some living cells (the heartwood contains none), as well as dead and dying cells. In most species, it is lighter colored than the heartwood. In all species, it is lacking in decay resistance.

Sapwood - The outer zone of wood, next to the bark. In the living tree it contains some living cells (the heartwood contains none), as well as dead and dying cells. In most species, it is lighter colored than the heartwood. In all species, it is lacking in decay resistance.

Sarking - A reflective foil laminate that is installed inside roofs. It has many benefits including weather proofing, insulation and reduction of dust and sound.

Sarking Roof - A reflective foil laminate that is installed inside roofs. It has many benefits including weather proofing, insulation and reduction of dust and sound.

Sash - An individual frame around a window.

Sash And Frames Casement - Frames of wood or metal enclosing part or all of the sash, which may be opened by means of hinges affixed to the vertical edges.

Sash Balance - A device usually operated by a spring and designed to hold a single hung window vent up and in place.

Sash Bead - A strip with one edge molded, against which a sash slides.

Sash Centre Hung - A sash that pivots on pins in the middle of the sash stiles and sides of the window frame to allow access for cleaning from the inside.

Sash Centre Hung - A sash hung on its centres so that it swings on a horizontal axis.

Sash Lock - A lock that also operates a latch action with lever handles.

Sash Storm - An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

Sash Window - The operating or movable part of a window; the sash is made of window panes and their border.

Sashlock - A lock that also operates a latch action with lever handles.

Sasines Registry - The establishment where property transactions have been recorded in Scotland since 1617.

Saturated Felt - A felt impregnated with tar or asphalt.

Saturation Coefficient -

• The ratio of the weight of water absorbed by a masonry unit during immersion in cold water for 24 hours to weight absorbed during immersion in boiling water for 5 hours.
• An indication of the probable resistance of brick to freezing and thawing.
• Also called CB Ratio.

Saw Back - Perfect for the fine, accurate cut. Includes the dovetail and tenon saw. Distinguished (from other hand saws) by a stiff length of brass or steel set over the top edge of the saw blade, providing support for the blade and preventing the blade to twist or flex.

Saw Back - Small toothed, joint-cutting saw with a metal back strip to keep the saw rigidly in line.

Saw Band - The more versatile of the curve-cutting saws, the thin blade allows work to be maneuvered easily and accurately along a winding line of cut as well as in and out of tight corners. Able to make straight cuts such as rip, crosscut and miter and possibly bevel and compound miter (with a tilting worktable). Also excellent for re-sawing boards.

Saw Bench -

• A power saw held securely on a stationary bench.
• A bench used saw items with a saw.

Saw Bow - Ideal for pruning, landscaping work and sawing firewood. Tubular steel frame with blade-tensioning lever that snaps closed to form a handle.

Saw Brick - Used in sawing bricks. Features coarse-cutting blade that cuts on both the push and pull strokes.

Saw Carpenter - A wood saw which is powered by hand, commonly called a Carpenters Saw or Wood Saw.

Saw Chop - The power alternative to the miter box, miter saws are great for basic crosscuts for lumber and trim. Although not capable of bevelled or compound-angle cuts, they are simpler to use, durable and less expensive than compound or sliding compound miter saws.

Saw Circular - A voracious tool, the portable circular saw is critical to any building or framing project because it can cut lumber quickly, with power and with accuracy.

Saw Compass - Similar to a coping saw, but more heavy duty. A thin blade set into a pistol-grip handle, it quickly cuts curves, circles and cutouts in wood, plywood and wallboard. Useful for cutting access holes when installing pipes and electrical boxes. A smaller version is the keyhole saw.

Saw Coping - Has a narrow metal frame which supports a thin blade held in place with a hook, loop or pin on each end of the blade. Can be rotated in the frame to make intricate curved cuts. Makes a finer cut than a compass saw.

Saw Crosscut - Hand saw used to cut across the grain (the width of the material).

Saw Dove Tail - The most important of the back saws (and one of the smallest). Almost entirely dedicated to one function: cutting dovetails, where a clean and accurate saw cut is the hallmark of fine work. Have three handle designs: closed, pistol-grip and a turned spindle-like handle.

Saw Dovetail - The most important of the back saws (and one of the smallest). Almost entirely dedicated to one function: cutting dovetails, where a clean and accurate saw cut is the hallmark of fine work. Have three handle designs: closed, pistol-grip and a turned spindle-like handle.

Saw English Bow - Curves and straight lines can be cut accurately with a bow saw. The blade can be rotated 360-degrees to a convenient working position. Historically used to cut chair legs, arm and arches.

Saw Fret - And adjustable frame can hold blades up to six inches, which allows you to use broken blades. Similar to a coping saw but with a deeper "throat" which allows it a deeper reach to cut further away from the edge of the work. Great for fine, detailed work.

Saw Hand - The most common and recognizable of all handsaws. Has a wide, tapering blade with teeth cut along one edge and a handle riveted to the wide end. Two basic types: crosscut and rip. Most effectively used to cut large, wide or thick pieces of wood.

Saw Horse - A trestle usually used in pairs to hold wood for cutting.

Saw Japanese Panel - Although it looks like a standard Western hand saw, actually a Japanese tool. The unique tooth design helps reduce friction at the beginning of the cutting stroke while increasing the cutting action throughout the stroke.

Saw Jig - Freehand curve-cutting machine (along with the band saw) with fine-tooth blades that can cut intricate patterns and smooth edges in thinner stock. Operates with little vibration, quick blade changes and easy-to-operate clamps. Is stationary, as opposed to a sabre saw, which is portable.

Saw Keyhole - A small saw with a short, narrow blade and a tight turning radius. Smaller than a compass saw, it can also cut light metal.

Saw Log - Designed for crosscutting logs and large timbers, it comes with 15 sets of three teeth. The teeth are separated by deep gullets that remove sawdust quickly. Cuts on both the push and pull stroke.

Saw Miter - The power alternative to the miter box, miter saws are great for basic crosscuts for lumber and trim. Although not capable of bevelled or compound-angle cuts, they are simpler to use, durable and less expensive than compound or sliding compound miter saws.

Saw Panel - The most common and recognizable of all handsaws. Has a wide, tapering blade with teeth cut along one edge and a handle riveted to the wide end. Two basic types: crosscut and rip. Most effectively used to cut large, wide or thick pieces of wood.

Saw Panel Japanese - Although it looks like a standard Western hand saw, actually a Japanese tool. The unique tooth design helps reduce friction at the beginning of the cutting stroke while increasing the cutting action throughout the stroke.

Saw Pruning - Excellent for trimming trees and bushes, the curved blade folds back into the curved hardwood handle for convenience.

Saw Radial - A circular saw which hangs from a horizontal arm or beam and slides back and forth. The arm pivots from side to side to allow for angle cuts and bevels. When sawing finish plywood, the good side should face up as the saw cuts on the down stroke.

Saw Radial Arm - Circular saw that runs on an overhead track, the track mechanism swings in relation to the table to make miter cuts.

Saw Reciprocating - An indispensable tool for contractors and remodelers, the "recip" saw will chew through most any cutting task. Ideal for demolition tasks, such as wall removal. Can cut through wood, metal or plastics easily. Great at cutting rough openings, cutouts for plumbing and heating ducts and can even prune tree branches.

Saw Rip - Hand saw used to cut along the grain (the length of the material).

Saw Saber -

• A saw to use if you need the ability to follow curved or straight lines, cut metal (as well as plastic, brick, etc. with the right blade) or enclosed holes.
• A popular tool, the unique design provides relatively-safe cutting.
• A saw that cuts on the upstroke, good side of wood faces down.

Saw Scroll - Freehand curve-cutting machine (along with the band saw) with fine-tooth blades that can cut intricate patterns and smooth edges in thinner stock. Operates with little vibration, quick blade changes and easy-to-operate clamps. Is stationary, as opposed to a sabre saw, which is portable.

Saw Table - A circular saw mounted under a table with height and angle adjustments for the blade.

Saw Tenon - Fine-toothed hand saw used to cut tenons and other wood joints accurately. Similar to a back saw, but shorter to offer greater control.

Saw Wet - If the job is cutting several bricks, pavers or tiles, this tool uses water to keep the blade and brick cool as well as decrease dust and flying debris.

Saw Wood - A wood saw which is powered by hand, commonly called a Carpenters Saw or Wood Saw.

Sawbuck - A rack, shaped like a double St. Andrew's cross used for planks or lengths of wood to be laid for sawing by hand, also called a buck, and/or sawhorse.

Sawhorse - A rack, shaped like a double St. Andrew's cross used for planks or lengths of wood to be laid for sawing by hand, also called a buck, and/or a sawbuck.

Sawhorse - A trestle usually used in pairs to hold wood for cutting.

Saws Nest Of - Great for homeowners, this tool is actually four saws in one. The tool comes with three interchangeable blades to handle cutting jobs around the home and yard. Features a hardwood pistol-grip handle. Quick-change wingnut and bolt hold the steel blades in place.

Scaffold - A temporary structure or platform from which workers can access high or difficult to reach areas inside or outside a building.

Scale Architects - Three sided ruler with different scales on each side. Also referred to as a "scale."

Scale Laminar - Rust formation in heavy layers.

Scant - Cheaper PAR white wood that is mass produced for general carpentry work such as partitioning and sub framework.

Schedule (Window Door Or Mirror) - A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the windows, doors and mirrors.

Schedule Door - A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the doors.

Schedule Mirror - A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the mirrors.

Schedule Of Ammortization - A chart showing the monthly, quarterly, or annual payments necessary to pay off a loan including interest over a particular period of time.

Schedule Payment - A pre-agreed upon schedule of payments to a contractor usually based upon the amount of work completed. Such a schedule may include a deposit prior to the start of work. There may also be a temporary retainer (5-10% of the total cost of the job) at the end of the contract for correcting any small items which have not been completed or repaired.

Schedule Window - A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the windows.

Scheme Switch - The transfer of your debt from one mortgage product to another one offered by the same provider. A fee is usually charged by your original lender for this.

Score Knotty - Of gypsum board, a ragged cut edge.

Scotia Moulding - A concave moulding.

Scottish Missives - The formal written contract negotiated by solicitors in Scotland relating to the offer and purchase on a property in Scotland.

Scrap Out - The removal of all drywall material and debris after the property is hung out (installed) with drywall.

Scraper Cabinet - Available in three basic shapes: rectangular, straight with concave and convex ends, and gooseneck. Works by cutting, not abrading, the wood. Excellent at smoothing wood. Sharpened by burnishers.

Scratch Coat - An initial coat of plaster that is actually scratched or grooved in order for the next layer of plaster to bond properly.

Scredriver Magnetic Tip - Enables you to carry one screwdriver instead of four or five by storing five bits in the handle. The shaft is fitted with a magnet that allows the bits to hold steel screws securely.

Screed - A straight edge used for levelling concrete over forms. Also used to assist in levelling the application of plaster.

Screed Base - A preformed metal screed with perforated or expanded flanges; provides a ground for plaster and separates areas of dissimilar materials.

Screeding - The wood or metal straightedge used to strike off or level newly placed concrete when doing cement work. Screeds can be the leveling device used or the form work used to level or establish the level of the concrete. Screeds can be hand used or mechanical.

Screw Allen Type - Screw with recessed hex-shaped head.

Screw Archimedes - A primitive device for raising water, consisting of a pipe spirally wound around an axis.

Screw Bughead - A special design screw that will seat beneath the plane of the gypsumboard surface without tearing the paper.

Screw Cover Box - A removable ornamental or protective plate that is mounted to an electrical rough in box.

Screw Lag - A large diameter wood screw with a square or hexagonal head.

Screwdriver Cabinetmaker - Features a turned oval beech handle and a blade designed for wood screws. Part of the blade is flattened to handle a wrench if more torque is needed.

Screwdriver Clutch Head - Features a distinctive bow-tie shaped head that drives screws featured in mobile homes, cars, boats, appliances and electric motors.

Screwdriver Crutch Pattern - The large, flattened-oval handle of this screwdriver allows you to deliver tremendous torque to stubborn screws, especially in tight corners.

Screwdriver Insulated - Designed for use by electricians, the blade is covered in plastic sheathing with only the tip exposed. Only a protective measure because it should never be used as protection against a flow of electricity.

Screwdriver Magnetic - Enables you to carry one screwdriver instead of four or five by storing five bits in the handle. The shaft is fitted with a magnet that allows the bits to hold steel screws securely.

Screwdriver Phillips Head - A screwdriver to use on a type of screw head requiring a driver in the shape of +.

Screwdriver Robertson Head - A screw head requiring a driver with a square tip, also referred to as a socket head.

Screwdriver Siral Ratchet - A spring-loaded shaft turns the driver bit, driving screws quickly and easily.

Screwdriver Square Recess - A square-tipped tool drives square-recessed fasteners in items like recreational vehicles, boats, mobile homes, hobby equipment and furniture hardware.

Screwdriver Torx Head - A screw head requiring a driver in the shape of a star.

Screwdriver Two Handed - Features a unique double-grip handle that allows you to apply extra high torque. Can work in deep holes and narrow spaces.

Screws Coach - Large, heavy screws, used where great strength is required, as in heavy framing or when attaching ironwork to wood.

Screws Hand - Traditional woodworking clamps, hand screws feature solid maple jaws and dual handles that allow for tremendous pressure. Can be set parallel or at angles. Ideal for complex work with no parallel sides.

Screws Lag - Large, heavy screws, used where great strength is required, as in heavy framing or when attaching ironwork to wood.

Scribe - To copy closely the profile of a surface onto an adjacent material then to cut it and fit the material in order to fit the profile.

Scribing - Fitting woodwork to an irregular surface. In moldings, cutting the end of one piece to fit the molded face of the other at an interior angle to replace a miter joint

Scroll Saw - Freehand curve-cutting machine (along with the band saw) with fine-tooth blades that can cut intricate patterns and smooth edges in thinner stock. Operates with little vibration, quick blade changes and easy-to-operate clamps. Is stationary, as opposed to a sabre saw, which is portable.

Sculptured Carpet - A pattern formed when certain tufts are eliminated or pile yarns drawn tightly to the back to form a specific design in the face of the carpet, the result simulates the effect of hand carving.

Scupper -

• An opening for drainage in a wall, curb or parapet.
• The drain in a downspout or flat roof, usually connected to the downspout.

Scupper Wall - An opening through an exterior wall through which water can drain.

Scuth - A bricklayer’s cutting tool used for dressing and trimming brick to a special shape. It resembles a small pick.

Scuttle - An opening in the ceiling that gives access to the attic or loft area of a house.

Scuttle Hole - A small opening either to the attic, to the crawl space or to the plumbing pipes.

SDS (Spatial Development Strategy) - A planning strategy for London that is prepared by the Lord Mayor of London.

Seal Bellows - Method of sealing the valve stem; the ends of the sealing material are fastened to the bonnet and to the stem; the seal expands and contracts with the stem level.

Seal Dry - Accomplishment of weather seal between glass and sash by use of strips or gaskets of Neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other flexible material. A dry seal may not be completely watertight.

Seal Hermetic - Vacuum seal (between panes of a double-paned window i.e. insulated glass unit or IGU). Failure of a hermetic seal causes permanent fogging between the panels of the IGU.

Seal Vaccum - Seal between panes of a double-paned window i.e. insulated glass unit or IGU. Failure of a hermetic seal causes permanent fogging between the panels of the IGU.

Seal Vacum - Seal between panes of a double-paned window i.e. insulated glass unit or IGU. Failure of a hermetic seal causes permanent fogging between the panels of the IGU.

Seal Vacuum - Seal between panes of a double-paned window i.e. insulated glass unit or IGU. Failure of a hermetic seal causes permanent fogging between the panels of the IGU.

Seal Wet - Application of an elastomeric sealant between the glass and sash to form a weather tight seal.

Sealant - An elastomeric material with adhesive qualities applied between components of a similar or dissimilar nature to provide an effective barrier against the passage of the elements.

Sealant Caulking -

• The application of sealant to a joint, crack or crevice.
• A compound used for sealing that has minimum joint movement capability; sometimes called low performance sealant.

Sealant Gun Consistency - Sealant formulated in a degree of viscosity suitable for application through the nozzle of a caulking gun.

Sealant Low Performance (Caulk) -

• The application of sealant to a joint, crack or crevice.
• A compound used for sealing that has minimum joint movement capability; sometimes called low performance sealant.

Sealant Non Curing - A sealant that does not set up or cure. See Butyl.

Sealant Non Drying - A sealant that does not set up or cure. See Butyl.

Sealant Polysulfide - Polysulfide liquid polymer sealant which is mercaptan terminated, long chain aliphatic polymers containing disulfide linkages. They can be converted to rubbers at room temperature without shrinkage upon addition of a curing agent.

Sealant Polyurethane - An organic compound formed by reaction of a glycol with and isocyanate.

Sealant Silicone - A sealant having as its chemical compound a backbone consisting of alternating silicon-oxygen atoms.

Sealant Toe Bead - Sealant applied at the intersection of the outboard glazing stop and the bottom of the glazing channel; must be sized to also provide a seal to the edge of the glass.

Sealant Two Part - A product composed of a base and curing agent or accelerator, necessarily packages in two separate containers which are uniformly mixed just prior to use.

Sealant Work Life - The time during which a curing sealant remains suitable for use after being mixed with a catalyst.

Sealed Bidding - When a property goes to a closing date and the agent/buyer must decide what to offer for a property without knowing what the other interested parties intend to offer.

Sealed Blind Bids - Applies in Scotland if there is more than one party who notes interest in a property. When there is competition for a property, you will probably only get the chance to make one offer. You do the groundwork and your research into the value (provided by your opinion, the valuation and the consultation of your solicitor) and you put in your sealed bid without knowing what the other interested parties have tabled. The seller usually gets an offer over the asking price and accepts it. However, they are under no obligation to accept any of the offers that are made to them and they can reject them all and open up the competition again, although this is rare.

Sealer - A clear pigment liquid that is applied directly over an uncoated material such as wood or concrete in order to help seal the material against water infiltration.

Sealer Sill - A material placed between the top of the foundation wall and the sill plate. Usually a foam strip, the sill sealer helps make a better fit and eliminate water problems.

Sealing Air - The practice of sealing unintentional gaps in the building envelope (from the interior) in order to reduce uncontrolled air leakage

Sealing Hermetical - The practice of making a material impervious to air and other fluids by fusion.

Seam Back - While all carpet seams are located on the back or underside of the carpet, those made when the carpet is turned over or face-down are called back seams, while those made with the carpet face-up are called face seams.

Seam Batten - A seam in a sheet metal roof.

Seam Flat - A seam at the junction of sheet metal roof components that has been bent at the plane of the roof.

Seam Folded - In sheet metal work, a joint between sheets of metal wherein the edges of the sheets are crimped together and folded flat.

Search - A check into the ownership of a property by searching the title deeds and any incumberances attached to them.

Searches Registry - This involves obtaining the title deed for the property, along with the Land Registry certificate. Careful scrutiny by your solicitor will hopefully confirm that the seller actually owns the property, has good title (i.e. is free to sell it) and that the sale includes any covenants associated with a property or its land.

Seasonal Efficiency - The ratio, over an entire heating season, of solar energy collected and used to the solar energy striking the collector.

Seasoning - Drying and removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its usability.

Secondary Wood - This is the material used in furniture that is not seen or on the sides or back of an object. These are the materials that make up the drawer sides, dust panels, backs and other hidden parts.

Section - A drawing of a building in the vertical plane.

Secure Control Unit Access - The controlling device of a computerized security system designed to protect against unauthorized entry into buildings or building areas.

Security - The property that is being purchased is usually used as security for the loan. A charge or lien is paced on the property as a security and is lifted when the loan is paid off in full.

Seepage Pit - A sewage disposal system composed of a septic tank and a connected cesspool.

Selective Surface - A surface that absorbs radiation of one wavelength (for example, sunlight) but emits little radiation of another wavelength (for example, infrared); used as a coating for absorber plates.

Self Build - The process of building your own house.

Self Build Mortgage - Mortgage for those who wish to build their own home, renovate or convert their existing home. Funds are normally released in stages as work progresses following a satisfactory progress report from an architect.

Self Certification - The process of declaring your income to a lender. Usually done by self employed persons that do not have access to a history of paycheques.

Self Certification Mortgage - Mainly for people whose income is difficult to assess using the standard method adopted by most conventional mortgage lenders. Bonuses, commission and seasonal work can cause income to vary over time or be difficult to guarantee and this may not be considered acceptable in order to get a loan. The main groups of people that opt for self-certification mortgages are: Self-employed and unsalaried company directors, Contract workers (increasingly common in technology-based industries), Commission-based workers (often in sales, recruitment etc.), People with seasonal earnings. The interest rate you are charged will be higher to compensate the lender for the increased risk.

Self Healing Materials - A term used to describe to a material which melts with the heat from the sun's rays, and seals over cracks that were earlier formed from other causes. Some waterproof membranes are self-healing

Self Leveling - A term used to describe a viscous material that is applied by pouring. In its uncured state, it spreads out evenly.

Self Sealing Shingles - Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.

Self Storage - These are simply secure warehouses in which you rent a bare room. You can store almost anything you like for as long as you like, though you may be subject to a minimum 'stay' of one month. You should be able to arrange for your removals company to put everything into this type of storage if you prefer.

Seller - Person selling a property or the vendor.

Sellers Agreement - Legally binding contract for seller to sell registered property through AMI should it reach or exceed its reserve price.

Sellers Leasehold Information Form - A form filled in by the current property owners, often used by some solicitors and conveyancer to check out the term and conditions of the leasehold agreement.

Sellers Pack - The government is planning the introduction of a seller's pack which should hopefully speed up the home buying process and thereby reduce the length of time in which gazumping is possible. This information dossier will become a mandatory requirement of anyone putting his or her home on the market. It will include a basic surveyor's report and the results of local authority searches both of which are currently the buyer's responsibility.

Sellers Position - Circumstances that can enhance or weaken your negotiating position including market conditions, length of time property on the market and a need to sell quickly.

Sellers Property Information Form - Detailed information in regards to a property to be sold that is provided by the seller. Forms part of the contract and gives buyer information on which to base his purchase decision.

Selvage - The unsurfaced strip along a sheet of roll roofing which forms the under portion at the lap in the application of the roof covering.

Semi Detached - A property which is attached to another one on one side only.

Semi Detached House - Residence attached at one or more walls with other dwelling houses.

Semi Gloss Enamel - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi gloss.

Semi Gloss Paint - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi gloss.

Semigloss Enamel - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi gloss.

Semigloss Paint - Paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some lustre but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi gloss.

Sensitive Adhesive - An adhesive that will adhere to a surface at room temperature by briefly applied pressure alone.

Sensitive Bulb - Part of sealed fluid device which reacts to temperature, used to measure temperature or to control a mechanism.

Sensor Audio - A device that responds to the physical stimulus of sound and transmits a resulting impulse.

Sensor Capacitance - A sensor which shows a devices ability or hold or store electrical energy.

Separation - In concrete application, what happens to concrete when it is dropped directly with a flat chute causing the concrete to separate, usually occurring at a 1:2 slope.

Septic System - A waste system designed to deal with sewage from a dwelling which includes piping and a septic tank to receive the waste.

Septic Tank - A waste system designed to deal with sewage from a dwelling which includes piping and a septic tank to receive the waste.

Sequence Backup - A longitudinal sequence wherein the weld bead increments are deposited in the direction opposite to the progress of welding the joint.

Sequence Block - A combined longitudinal and buildup sequence for a continuous multiple pass weld wherein separated lengths are completely or partially built up in cross section before intervening lengths are deposited.

Sequence Buildup - A combined longitudinal and buildup sequence for a continuous multiple pass weld wherein separated lengths are completely or partially built up in cross section before intervening lengths are deposited, see Backstep Sequence.

Sequence Cascade -

• In welding, a combined longitudinal and buildup sequence wherein weld beads are deposited in overlapping layers
• In manual shielded metal arc welding a backstep sequence is normally used. See Block Sequence and Buildup Sequence.

Sequence Of Backstep - A longitudinal sequence wherein the weld bead increments are deposited in the direction opposite to the progress of welding the joint.

Serpula Lacrymans - Another name for dry rot, this is a fungus which attacks structural and joinery timbers and flourishes in moist, unventilated conditions and can cause serious problems.

Service Charge - This pays for maintenance and insurance of communal areas and is usually only applicable to flats.

Service Conductor - In electrical contracting, the supply conductors that extend from the street main or from the transformer to the service equipment.

Service Drop - In electrical contracting, the overhead service conductors from the last pole or other aerial support to and including the splices, if any, connecting to the service entrance conductors at the building.

Service Entrance Panel - Main power cabinet where electricity enters a property wiring system.

Service Equipment - Main control gear at the service entrance, such as circuit breakers, switches, and fuses.

Service Lateral - Underground power supply line.

Service Pipe Water - The pipe from the water main or other source of water supply to the building serviced.

Service Specification - Sets out exactly what a tradesmen, contractor or removals firm will do and not do for you. One that you sign with your removals company will clearly state what they will be doing on your behalf and what you agree to do yourself. Anything you pack yourself will not usually be covered by the insurance they provide.

Servitude - The conditions in Title Deeds which must be observed.

Set - The teeth are offset on each side of the blade to allow clearance for the thickness of the blade.

Set Compression - The permanent deformation of a material after removal of the compressive stress.

Setback - The minimum distance between the street and the building line established by local ordnances.

Setback Thermostat - A thermostat with a clock which can be programmed to come on or go off at various temperatures and at different times of the day/week. Usually used as the heating or cooling system thermostat.

Sett - A small block of hard stone used for paving.

Setting Blocks - Generally rectangular cured extrusions of neoprene, EPDM, silicone, rubber or other suitable material on which the glass product bottom edge is placed to effectively support the weight of the glass.

Settling - A gradual sinking to a lower level (see also Subsidence).

Severe Weather Brick - Severe Weather grade of brick intended for use where high resistance to freezing is desired.

Sewage Ejector - A pump used to lift waste water to a gravity sanitary sewer line. Usually used in basements and other locations which are situated bellow the level of the side sewer.

Sewer - An artificial, usually underground conduit for carrying off sewage or rainwater from a property.

Sewer Building - The piping that takes the soil and waste water from the building drain and conveys it to the public sewer or private sewage disposal system, also called House Sewer.

Sewer House - The piping that takes the soil and waste water from the building drain and conveys it to the public sewer or private sewage disposal system, also called Building Sewer.

Sewer Lateral - The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior waste water lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually owned by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors, sometimes called Side Sewer.

Sewer Main - A common sewer directly controlled by public authority.

Sewer Pipes - The conduit for carrying off sewage or rainwater from a property.

Sewer Public - A common sewer directly controlled by public authority.

Sewer Side - The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior waste water lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually owned by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors, sometimes called Lateral Sewer.

Sewer Storm - A sewer system designed to collect storm water and is separated from the waste water system.

Sewer Stub - The junction at the municipal sewer system where the property's sewer line is connected.

Sewer System - A sewerage system comprises all piping, appurtenances, and treatment facilities used for the collection and disposal of sewage, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served. and the building drain.

Sewer Tap - The physical connection point where the property's sewer line connects to the main municipal sewer line.

Sewerage System - A sewerage system comprises all piping, appurtenances, and treatment facilities used for the collection and disposal of sewage, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served. and the building drain.

SFD (Single Family Dwelling) - A house built for the purpose of a single family as opposed to multi families such as a duplex or apartment complex.

Shading Coefficient - The ratio of the solar heat gain through a specific glass product to the solar heat gain through a lite of 1/8" (3mm) clear glass. Glass of 1/8" (3mm) thickness is given a value of 1.0.

Shaft - A long, slender part of a pillar that adds support to an overhanging structure.

Shake - A wood roofing material, normally cedar or redwood that is produced by splitting a block of the wood along the grain line, modern shakes are sometimes machine sawn on one side. See shingle.

Shake Cedar - A shingle made by splitting a block of cedar along its grain and thereby creating a shingle which may be used for roofing or siding, also called Handsplit Shingles.

Shake Roofing - A wood roofing material, normally cedar or redwood that is produced by splitting a block of the wood along the grain line, modern shakes are sometimes machine sawn on one side. See Shingle.

Shakes - Naturally occurring cracks in timber. Do not necessarily affect strength.

Shank - The stem of a bit.

Shaper - A machine with an interchangable rotary cutter head to cut profile shapes on the edge or face of material.

Shared Ownership Scheme - This is like a home buy scheme, where a Registered Social Landlord will provide you with some of the funds to purchase your home, with you providing the rest by way of a mortgage. There are various criteria that you must fulfil in order to qualify for a shared ownership scheme.

Sharpening Stones - Blocks of natural or artificial stones that have been dressed or smoothed. Used with an oil or water lubricant to sharpen blades of woodworking tools such as chisels and planes. Most are rectangular in shape and come in many grades, from coarse to fine.

Shear Base - Total shear force acting at the base of a structure.

Shear Block - Plywood that is face nailed to short 2 X 4' or 2 X 6' wall studs. This is done to prevent the wall from sliding and collapsing.

Sheathed Cable Metal - Armoured metal flexible electrical cable; BX cable.

Sheathing - The structural wood panel covering, usually OSB or plywood, used over studs, floor joists or rafters/trusses of a structure.

Sheathing Paper - A building material, generally paper or felt, used in wall and roof construction as a protection against the passage of air and sometimes moisture.

Sheathing Roof - The boards or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid.

Sheathing Waferboard - Exterior wall or roof covering panels of waferboard.

Sheathing Wall - Sheets of plywood, gypsum board, or other material nailed to the outside face of studs as a base for exterior siding.

Sheathing Wall - The first layer of covering on an exterior wall, fastened to the wall studs.

Shed - A roof type with one high pitched plane covering the entire structure.

Shed Roof - A roof containing only one sloping plane.

Sheer Stress - Any compressed stress with support in one side.

Sheet Base - This is the first ply in some multi-ply built-up roofing membranes; it is usually a saturated felt or a coated felt.

Sheet Dry - A ply mechanically attached to wood or gypsum decks to prevent asphalt or pitch from penetrating the deck and leaking into the building below.

Sheet Metal Duct Work - The heating system. Usually round or rectangular metal pipes and sheet metal (for Return Air) and installed for distributing warm (or cold) air from the furnace to rooms in the property.

Sheet Metal Work - All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts.

Sheet Plate Aluminium - Flat rolled aluminium plate.

Sheet Rock - Sheet Rock, Drywall, Wall Board, Gypboard Or Gypsum -A manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually 1/2" thick and 4' x 8' or 4' x 12' in size. The joint compound. Green board type drywall has a greater resistance to moisture than regular (white) plasterboard and is used in bathrooms and other wet areas.

Sheeting - The structural wood panel covering, usually OSB or plywood, used over studs, floor joists or rafters/trusses of a structure.

Sheeting Roof - The wood panels or sheet material fastened to the roof rafters or trusses on which the shingle or other roof covering is laid.

Sheetrock - Sheet Rock, Drywall, Wall Board, Gypboard Or Gypsum - A manufactured panel made out of gypsum plaster and encased in a thin cardboard. Usually 1/2" thick and 4' x 8' or 4' x 12' in size. The joint compound. Green board type drywall has a greater resistance to moisture than regular (white) plasterboard and is used in bathrooms and other wet areas.

Sheetrock Beam - A horizontal member constructed of plasterboard.

Sheets Cap - In roofing, one to four plies of felt bonded and top coated with bitumen that is laid over an existing roof as a treatment for defective roofs.

Shelf Adjustable - A shelf that can be adjusted to different heights.

Shelf Adjustable Standard - Metal items to support shelves usually in the form of strips attached to vertical surfaces.

Shelf Angle - A structural angle which is fastened to the structure of a building to support a wall or other component.

Shelf Life - Used in the glazing and sealant business to refer to the length of time a product may be stored before beginning to lose its effectiveness. Manufacturers usually state the shelf life and the necessary storage conditions on the package.

Shelf Standard Adjustable - Metal items to support shelves usually in the form of strips attached to vertical surfaces.

Shell Barrel - A scalloped roof structure of reinforced concrete that spans in one direction as a barrel vault and in the other as a folded plate.

Shellac -

• Shellac is an animal product.
• The basic material comes from the Coccus lacca, a scale insect that feeds on certain trees in India and southern Asia. After feeding, the insect produces through its pores a gummy substance which hardens into a protective covering called lac. This lac is collected and then it is crushed, washed and dried. After further treatment, it is skillfully drawn into thin sheets of finished shellac.
• Many products such as phonograph records, sealing wax, fireworks, and electrical insulators and instruments have shellac in their composition.
• When mixed with alcohol, shellac forms ordinary varnish.

Shelving Built In - Shelving that is permanently installed in a cabinet frame.

Shim - A small piece of scrap lumber or shingle, usually wedge shaped, which when forced behind a furring strip or framing member forces it into position. Also used when installing doors and placed between the door jamb legs and 2 X 4 door trimmers. Metal shims are wafer 1 1/2" X 2" sheet metal of various thicknesses used to fill gaps in wood framing members, especially at bearing point locations.

Shims - Small blocks of neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other suitable material placed on each side of the glass product to provide glass centering, maintain uniform width of sealant bead and prevent excessive sealant distortion.

Shims Centreing - Small blocks of synthetic rubber or plastic used to hold a sheet of glass in the center of its frame.

Shingles - A form of roof covering made of asphalt, wood, tile, slate or other material that has been cut to various stock size lengths, widths and thickness.

Shingles Architectural - Laminated shingles that have added dimensionality because of extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance.

Shingles Asbestos - A shingling material made up of a non-conducting, fireproof mineral used in roofing and siding.

Shingles Asphalt - A roofing material made of a brown or black tar like substance mixed with sand or gravel.

Shingles Cedar - A roofing material made of durable pinewood.

Shingles Course - A row of shingles or roll roofing running the length of the roof. Parallel layers of building materials such as bricks, or siding laid up horizontally.

Shingles Fish Scale - A shingle having straight sides and rounded bottoms.

Shingles Handsplit - A shingle made by splitting a block of cedar along its grain and thereby creating a shingle which may be used for roofing or siding.

Shingles Ridge - Shingles used to cover the ridge board.

Shingles Self Sealing - Shingles containing factory-applied strips or spots of self-sealing adhesive.

Shingles Siding - Various kinds of shingles, used over sheathing for exterior wall covering of a structure.

Shingles Square Tab - Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.

Shingles Three Dimensional - Laminated shingles that have added dimensionality because of extra layers or tabs, giving a shake-like appearance. May also be called architectural shingles.

Shiplap - A board siding with joints cut out of the board allowing pieces to fit together with no overlapping.

Shiplap Lumber - Any lumber that is edge dressed to make a close rabbeted or lapped joint.

Shoe Base - Molding used next to the floor on interior base board. Sometimes called a carpet strip.

Shoe Mould - Wood strip, with a curved or projecting surface, used to finish intersection of base and floor.

Shoe Mould - Wood strip, with a curved or projecting surface, used to finish intersection of base and floor.

Shore A Hardness - Measure of firmness of a compound by means of a Durometer Hardness Gauge. (A hardness range of 20-25 is about the firmness of an art gum eraser. A hardness of about 90 is about the firmness of a rubber heel.)

Shoring - A temporary support erected in a trench or other excavation to support the walls from caving in.

Short Circuit - A situation that occurs when hot and neutral wires come in contact with each other. Fuses and circuit breakers protect against fire that could result from a short.

Short Creditors - This is all current liabilities payable on demand or within one year of a company's Balance Sheet date.

Show Home - A home constructed on a site of a new development and used to sell properties yet to be built. These can often have different specifications to the other homes to be built so always be aware of what you are buying.

Shower Chair - A wheelchair type chair used for taking baths or showers.

Shower Door -

• A folding or sliding door mounted on a bath tub rim to keep water spray within the tub area when there is a shower over the tub.
• A door leading into a dedicated shower area.

Shower Fawcet - A valve used to draw hot or cold water into a shower.

Shut Off Valve - A valve used to shut off the flow of gas or water into a property.

Shutter - A movable cover for a window used for protection from weather and intruders.

Shutter Dogs - Small metal structures used to hold the shutters against the wall.

Shy - A term for an adjoining object being below the object it is next to. This means a little below the surface. See Proud and Flush.

SI (International System Of Units) - Reference information on the International System of Units.

SI Units - Reference information on the International System of Units.

Side Light - A fixed often narrow glass window next to a door opening or window.

Side Sewer - The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior waste water lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually owned by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors, sometimes called sewer lateral.

Sidewalk Bituminous - A walkway constructed with an impregnated mixture of hydrocarbons together with aggregate such as sand or stone, commonly called blacktop.

Siding - Any finishing material that is attached to and covers the outside walls of a framed building.

Siding Aluminium - A lightweight aluminium siding material that is often painted rather than left in its natural colour.

Siding Batten - Vertical siding which has narrow strips of metal or wood covering the joints.

Siding Bevel - Wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern. This siding varies in butt thickness from ½ to ¾ inch and in widths up to 12 inches. Normally used over some type of sheathing.

Siding Bevel - A type of finish siding used on the exterior of a house, usually manufactured by resawing a dry, squared, surfaced board diagonally to produce two wedge shaped pieces.

Siding Board - A type of lumber installed on the exterior walls of a building or structure to act as the finish sheathing.

Siding Cedar - Boards milled from cedar wood, used for the finish covering on the exterior walls of a building or structure, used for its appearance and resistance to moisture and aging.

Siding Dolly Varden - Beveled wood siding which is rabbeted on the bottom edge.

Siding Drop - Usually ¾ inch thick and 6 and 8 inches wide with tongued-and-grooved or shiplap edges. Often used as siding without sheathing in secondary buildings

Siding Lap - Wedge-shaped boards used as horizontal siding in a lapped pattern. This siding varies in butt thickness from ½ to ¾ inch and in widths up to 12 inches. Normally used over some type of sheathing.

Siding Lap - A type of finish siding used on the exterior of a house, usually manufactured by resawing a dry, squared, surfaced board diagonally to produce two wedge shaped pieces

Siding Shingles - Various kinds of shingles, used over sheathing for exterior wall covering of a structure.

Siding Steel - Heavy siding material which remains very durable and weather resistant.

Sienna Burnt -

• An earthy substance containing oxides of iron and usually of manganese.
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• Orange red or reddish brown pigment,used in paint.
• Sienna that has been roasted.

Sight Line - The line along the perimeter of glazing infills corresponding to the top edge of stationary and removable stops. The line to which sealants contacting the glazing infill are sometimes finished off.

Signals Buying - These are signs that you may give off - intentionally or otherwise that you are very keen to buy a property. This can make the estate agent's job a lot easier, as they do not have to try very hard to sell you a property and can weaken your negotiating position as a result.

Silica - A white or colourless crystalline compound, SiO2, occurring abundantly as quartz, sand, flint, agate, and many other minerals and used to manufacture a wide variety of materials, especially glass and concrete.

Silicate Aluminium - White extender pigment made from China clay or feldspar, which provides very little color or opacity.

Silicate Calcium - A sand and lime solution.

Silicate Zinc - Inorganic zinc coating.

Silicone Glazing Structural - The use of a silicone sealant for the structural transfer of loads from the glass to its perimeter support system and retention of the glass in the opening.

Silicone Sealant - A sealant having as its chemical compound a backbone consisting of alternating silicon-oxygen atoms.

Sill -

• The 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 wood plate framing member that lays flat against and bolted to the foundation wall (with anchor bolts) and upon which the floor joists are installed. Normally the sill plate is treated lumber.
• The member forming the lower side of an opening, as a door sill or window sill.

Sill Cock - A water faucet to which a hose may be attached.

Sill Plate - Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called mudsill, also sole plate, bottom member of an interior wall frame.

Sill Rough - The framing member at the bottom of a rough opening for a window. It is attached to the cripple studs below the rough opening.

Sill Seal - Fibreglass or foam insulation installed between the foundation wall and sill (wood) plate, designed to seal any cracks or gaps.

Sill Sealer - A material placed between the top of the foundation wall and the sill plate. Usually a foam strip, the sill sealer helps make a better fit and eliminate water problems.

Sill Step - The first step coming directly off a building at the door openings.

Sill Window - The flat piece of wood, stone, or the like, at the bottom of a window frame.

Single Family Dwelling (SFD) - A house built for the purpose of a single family as opposed to multi families such as a duplex or apartment complex.

Single Hung Window - A window with one vertically sliding sash or window vent.

Single Item Limit - This is the most a contents insurer will payout for a single item in the event of loss, damage, theft etc. Make sure that this is high enough to cover your most expensive items or you could end up losing out.

Single Ply - A descriptive term signifying a roof membrane composed of only one layer of material such as EPDM, Hypalon or PVC.

Single Tee - The name given to a type of precast concrete deck which has one stiffening rib integrally cast into slab.

Sink Fawcet - A device that dispenses hot and cold water, mounted above a sink.

Sink Heat - A body which is capable of accepting and storing heat, and therefore may be used as a heat source.

Sink Kitchen - A stationary basin that is found in the kitchen and connected to a drain.

Sink Wall Hung - A sink or lavatory mounted on brackets attached to a wall.

Siphonage Back - The flowing back of used, contaminated, or polluted water from a plumbing fixture or vessel into a potable water supply due to a negative pressure in the pipe.

Siphonage Back - The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the distributing pipes of a potable supply of water from any sources other than its intended course, due to a negative pressure in such pipe.

Siral Ratchet Screwdriver - A spring-loaded shaft turns the driver bit, driving screws quickly and easily.

Site Brownfield - A building site that has been previously built upon and is possibly polluted with toxic chemicals.

Sitting Tenant - Someone who has a legal right of occupation to a property, even if the property is sold to someone else, and can apply to the local authority to set a fair rent.

Sizing Wall - Solution such as glue, starch, casein, shellac, varnish or lacquer, used to seal or fill pores of wall surface to stop suction, counteract chemicals or stains and prepare surface for paint, paper or fabric.

Skimmer Automatic - Device that continuously draws swimming pool surface water and surface debris into the filtration system.

Skirting - Being all around the edges.

Skirting Boards - Boards at the floor level being all around the edges.

Sky Dome - A type of skylight exhibiting a characteristic translucent plastic domed top.

Skylight - A window in a roof to give light to a loft or room without other lighting.

Skylight Dome - A type of skylight exhibiting a characteristic translucent plastic domed top.

Slab -

• A piece of pre-formed concrete used to create a floor, path, driveway, walkway or other such surface.
• A broad, flat, thick piece, as of stone tile.

Slab Bolster - Continuous, individual support used to hold steel reinforcing bars in the proper position.

Slab Door - A rectangular door without hinges or frame.

Slab On Grade - A type of foundation with a concrete floor which is placed directly on the soil. The edge of the slab is usually thicker and acts as the footing for the walls.

Slab Waffle -

• 1. A two-way concrete joist system.
• 2. Two-way slab or flat slab made up of a double system of narrow ribs or joists, usually at right angles to each other, forming a pattern of waffle-like coffers.

Slabbed - To cover or pave with slabs.

Slabbing - To cover or pave with slabs.

Slabs Paving - A stone used for paving.

Slack AIr - A condition where soft-body clay, after absorbing moisture and being exposed to the atmosphere, will spall a piece of clay and/or glaze

Slag - Concrete cement that sometimes covers the vertical face of the foundation void material.

Slag Blast Furnace - A non metallic waste product developed in the manufacture of pig iron, consisting basically of a mixture of lime, silica and alumina, the same oxides that make up portland cement, but not in the same proportions or forms, it is used both in the manufacture of portland blast furnace slag cement and as an aggregate for lightweight concrete.

Slag Wool - A material used for insulating buildings, produced by sending a blast of steam through molten slag or rock, common types now in use include rock wool, glass wool and slag wool.

Slate - Building and roofing material made of a fine-grained metamorphic rock.

Slate Roof - Roof constructed of material made of a fine-grained metamorphic rock.

Slate Tile - Tile made of a fine-grained metamorphic rock.

Sleeper - Usually, a wood member embedded in concrete, as in a floor, that serves to support and to fasten the sub-floor or flooring.

Sleeve - Pipe installed under the concrete driveway or sidewalk, and that will be used later to run sprinkler pipe or low voltage wire.

Sleeve Vent - Preformed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roofing above the vent pipe opening.

Slide Water - A sloping trough down which water is carried by gravity.

Sliding Bevel Square - Indispensable for marking, transferring and checking angles. Helpful when marking odd angles and dovetail joints and when cutting a board to fit an existing angle.

Sliding Window - A window that opens by sliding large panes from one side to the other.

Slope - The incline angle of a roof surface, given as a ratio of the rise (in inches) to the run (in feet). See also Pitch.

Sloped Glazing - Any installation of glass that is at a slope of 15 degrees or more from vertical.

Slots Anti Vibration - Slots cut in the body of a saw blade, usually in a starburst pattern, that reduce vibration so the blade runs more smoothly and produce a cleaner cut.

Sludge - A relatively loose accumulation of material that has settled to the bottom of boiler or a cooling tower.

Slump - The wetness of concrete. A 3 inch slump is dryer and stiffer than a 5 inch slump.

Slump Test - Measures the consistency of a concrete mix or its stiffness. If the tests results are high, one likely cause would be too much water. Low slump-not enough water. The test is measured in inches.

Small Calorie - Small calorie or gram calorie, used by medical science,the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water one degree Celsius.

Smoke Pipe - A pipe conveying products of combustion from a solid or liquid fuel-fired appliance to a chimney flue.

Smooth Plane - Designed for general-purpose planing; often used after the jack plane for final polishing.

Snag List - A list of final snags or touch up points that need to be addressed at the end of a renovation, refurbishment, redecoration or rebuild. It is essentially the list of final touches needed to complete a project.

Snags - Touch up points that need to be addressed at the end of a renovation, refurbishment, redecoration or rebuild. It is essentially the list of final touches needed to complete a project.

Snipe - The tendency to gouge the trailing end of material when running it through a joiner.

Snips Aviation - Snips used to cut straight or curved lines. They are generally used for heating, air conditioning, gutter work, and general industrial use. Aviation snips are available in right- or left-handed styles.

Soak Away - Pebble, shingles and gravel placed beneath the ground to allow the drainage of water.

Soakaway - Pebble, shingles and gravel placed beneath the ground to allow the drainage of water.

Soaker - Laid under flashing at the juncture between a roof and a chimney stack.

Social Infrastructure - Applies to any public works such as a new motorway, waterworks or alterations to road systems, as well as anything else that is has had permission to take place immediately adjacent to the property.

Soffit - underside of a structural component, such as a beam, arch, staircase, or cornice.

Soffit Boards - Boards forming underside of a structural component, such as a beam, arch, staircase, or cornice.

Soffit Eave - The under surface of the eave.

Soffit Vent - The vent opening located under the eaves to allow fresh air to enter an attic or loft area and flow upwards to the roof vents.

Soft Wood - Easily worked wood or wood from a conebearing conifer tree.

Softener Water - A device attached to a water system to remove unwanted minerals and substances.

Softening Point - The temperature at which a substance changes from a hard material to a softer and more viscous material.

Softwood - Easily worked wood or wood from a conebearing conifer tree.

Soil Basement - Pervious paving materials include pervious interlocking concrete paving blocks, concretegrid pavers, perforated brick pavers, and compacted gravel.

Soil Bend - A piece of short, curved pipe, like an elbow, used to connect two straight links of pipe in a sewage system.

Soil Cover - A light covering of plastic film, roll roofing, or similar material used over the soil in crawl spaces of buildings to minimize moisture permeation of the area.

Soil Foundation - Pervious paving materials include pervious interlocking concrete paving blocks, concretegrid pavers, perforated brick pavers, and compacted gravel.

Soil Pipe - A large pipe that carries liquid and solid wastes to a sewer or septic tank.

Soil Stack - A plumbing vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Soil Vent - The extension of a soil or waste stack above the highest horizontal drain connected to the stack.

Solar Constant - The average intensity of solar radiation reaching the earth outside the atmosphere; accounting to two langleys or 1.94 gram-calories per square centimeter, equal to 442.4 BTU/hr/ft.², or 1395 watts/m².

Solar Energy - Energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation received from the sun.

Solar Energy System Hybrid - A system that uses both active and passive methods in its operation.

Solar Heat Gain - The amount of energy that a building absorbs due to solar energy striking its exterior and conducting to the interior or passing through windows and being absorbed by materials in the building.

Solar Radiation Energy - Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.

Solar Rights - A legal issue concerning the right of access to sunlight.

Sold Subject To Contract - Very important phrase meaning you have agreed to buy or sell a property but the contracts have not yet been exchanged.

Sole Agent - When a seller chooses only one Estate Agent to sell their home.

Sole Plate - The bottom, horizontal framing member of a wall that's attached to the floor sheeting and vertical wall studs.

Solenoid Air Core - Solenoid which has a hollow core instead of a solid core.

Solicitor - Legal Professional who acts on behalf of the buyer in the purchase of a house. The solicitor will check the legal position of the house, carry out a Local Authority Search, Land Registry and oversee the exchange of contracts between the two parties.

Solicitor Fee - Your solicitor will usually charge you a basic fee to cover taking your instructions, advising you throughout the course of the sale, acting and investigating on your behalf, explaining the contract for purchase and completing the matter on your behalf. Though this is rarely charged as a percentage of the property value, it can be stepped, so that buyers of more expensive properties pay higher fee.

Solicitor Letter Fee - This is charged when your account falls in arrear and the lenders instruct solicitors to act on their behalf.

Solicitor Regional Directory - This directory lists the law firms in your area, along with the type of work they specialise in. You can find one at any library and most citizens’ advice bureaux.

Solid Bridging - A solid member placed between adjacent floor joists near the centre of the span to prevent joists or rafters from twisting.

Solid Casting - Forming castings by introducing a body slip into a porous mold which usually consists of two major sections, one section forming the contour of the inside of the ware and allowing a solid cast to form between the two mold faces.

Solid Wire Bare - Uninsulated single wire used as an electric conductor.

Solum - The upper layers of a soil profile in which topsoil formation occurs.

Solvent Adhesive - An adhesive having a volatile organic liquid as a vehicle, not including water-based adhesives.

Sonotube - Round, large cardboard tubes designed to hold wet concrete in place until it hardens.

Sound Absobing Tile - Special tile for walls and ceilings made of mineral, wood, vegetable fibers, cork, or metal. Its purpose is to control sound volume while providing cover.

Sound Airbourne - Sound originating in a space; airborne sound can be created from the radiation of structure-borne sound into the air.

Sound Ambient - The quiet-state noise level in a room or space, which is a composite of sounds from many external sources, both near and far, over which one individual has no control.

Sound Attenuation - Sound proofing a wall or sub-floor, generally with fibreglass insulation.

Sound Transmission Class (STC) - A single number rating derived from individual transmission losses at specified test frequencies. It is used for interior walls, ceilings and floors.

Sound Transmission Loss (STL) - The reduction of the amount of sound energy passing through a wall, floor, roof, etc. It is related to the specific frequency at which it is measured and it is expressed in decibels. Also called Transmission Loss.

Source Of Heat - A medium or container from which heat flows.

Space Capillary - In cement paste, any space not occupied by anhydrous cement or cement gel, air bubbles, whether entrained or entrapped, are not considered as part of the cement paste.

Space Heat - Heat supplied to the living space.

Space Light - Space in a window sash for a single pane of glass, also, a pane of glass.

Spacers - Small blocks of neoprene, EPDM, silicone or other suitable material placed on each side of the glass product to provide glass centering, maintain uniform width of sealant bead and prevent excessive sealant distortion.

Spacing - The distance between individual members or shingles in building construction.

Spacing Of Bar - Distance between parallel reinforcing bars measured from center to center of the bars perpendicular to their longitudinal axis.

Spackle - A powder that is usually mixed with water and used for joint treatment in gypsum-wallboard finish.

Spade Bit - These are an inexpensive bit, suitable for general use, they get their name from their shape.

Spalling - The chipping or flaking of concrete, bricks, or other masonry where improper drainage or venting and freeze/thaw cycling exists.

Span - The clear distance that a framing member carries a load without support between structural supports. The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

Spandrel - A blank area between arch supports or the blank area below a window.

Spanish Clay Tile - A roofing material made from clay soil into red brick; common to Mediterranean Revival houses.

Spark - An industry slang name for an electrician.

Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) - A planning strategy for London that is prepared by the Lord Mayor of London.

Spec Property - A house built before it is sold. The builder speculates that he can sell it at a profit.

Specific Heat - The number of BTU's required to raise the temperature of one pound of a substance 1° in temperature.

Specification - Detailed written instructions which, when clear and concise, explain each phase of work to be done.

Specification House - A house built before it is sold. The builder speculates that he can sell it at a profit.

Specifications Or Specs - A narrative list of materials, methods, model numbers, colours, allowances, and other details which supplement the information contained in the blue prints. Written elaboration in specific detail about construction materials and methods. Written to supplement working drawings.

Specs - The specifications pertaining to a building.

Speed Motor Adjustable - One in which the speed can be varied gradually over a considerable range, but when once adjusted remains practically unaffected by the load, such as shunt motors designed for a variation of field strength.

Speed Square - One of the most popular and versatile carpenter's layout tools available, combining the best features of a framing, try and miter square with the angle finding capability of a protractor. Use for all framing layout work including wall and roof construction and stairway building.

SPG (Supplementary Planning Guidance) - A guidance which explains and amplifies the planning policies in the Council s Unitary Development Plan and provides guidance and advice to applicants.

Spice Lap - The length of the overlap of two reinforcing bars.

Spigot And Bell Joint - A type of joint used in cast iron pipe where a male pipe end (the spigot) slips into a female end (the bell) and is then caulked with oakum and sealed with lead.

Spindle - Square steel bar that is used in conjunction with lever lock and lever latch handles. This fits into both handles and inserted through the lock or latch and revolves when the handles are pushed down and then pulls back the latch.

Spiral Cut Chain Saw File - Featuring a special spiral-cut pattern, this file cuts faster than standard, round chain saw files.

Spire - The pyramidal structure soaring from a tower or roof a church.

Spirits Mineral - A by-product of petroleum, clear in color, a solvent for asphalt coatings.

Splash Back - A protective panel installed on the wall behind a counter, sink or lavatory.

Splash Block - Portable concrete (or vinyl) channel generally placed beneath an exterior sill cock (water faucet) or downspout in order to receive roof drainage from downspouts and to divert it away from the building.

Splash Block - A small masonry block placed in the ground beneath a downspout to receive roof drainage and prevent standing water or soil erosion.

Splayed - An extension to the main building. Referred to as canted or splayed when angled back at the side, and squared when perpendicular.

Splayed Window - A window extension to the main building. Otherwise referred to as a canted or splayed window when angled back at the side and squared when perpendicular.

Spline - A thin strip of wood fitted between two grooves to make a joint.

Splitting - The formation of long cracks completely through a membrane. Splits are frequently associated with lack of allowance for expansion stresses. They can also be a result of deck deflection or change in deck direction.

Spokeshave - Used to shape curved surfaces, consists of a blade fastened between two handles, blades come in straight, concave and convex curves.

Spot Board - Board used to carry grout needed to patch small jobs.

Spotting Water - Spotty changes in the color or gloss of a paint film, may be caused by various factors, such as emulsification or the solution of water soluble components.

Spray Booth - An area in a building or structure used for spray painting; blocked off by walls to prevent dust and dirt from work surface.

Spraying Airless - Thermostat unit in which sensing element is located in refrigerated space.

Spreader Adhesive - A notched trowel used in the application of laminating adhesives.

Spreader Bar - A variation of the C-clamp with a disconnecting sliding jaw that allows the user to reverse the clamp and use it as a spreader

Spreader Wall - An accessory, usually fabricated from reinforcing bar to a Z or U shape, used to separate and hold apart two faces of curtains of steel reinforcements in a concrete wall.

Spring Bending - Coil spring which is placed on inside or outside of tubing to keep it from collapsing while bending it.

Spring Clamp - Ideal for holding mitered corners, each jaw has tiny teeth that grip and hold angled work pieces, irregular moldings and tough-to-clamp joints. The "paperclip" of the workshop, ideal for small work and light pressure.

Spud - The removal of gravel or heavy accumulations of bitumen from roof membranes by means of chipping or scraping.

Square - A unit of measure-100 square feet-usually applied to roofing and siding material. Also, a situation that exists when two elements are at right angles to each other, also a tool for checking this.

Square Bevel Edge - Useful when extreme accuracy is required to determine 90-degree angles.

Square Combination - A valuable tool, equipped with a six inch long steel rule for marking 90-degree and 45-degree angles.

Square Double - This unique tool is designed for checking squareness of a board’s edge after planeing and jointing. Fit’s easily in a work apron pocket.

Square Dovetail - Lays out and marks dovetail joints with consistent accuracy.

Square File - When needing to make a round hole square, this is the tool. The long, tapered profile makes it useful for cleaning up right-angle shapes such as slots and keyways.

Square Footage - The estimated total area of a building calculated by measuring the outside dimensions of a building and multiplying by the number of stories.

Square Footage Method - The method of estimation g costs of construction on the basis of area of the building to be built.

Square Joint Maker - Slightly smaller than a standard miter square, this square is especially helpful for furniture builders and model makers.

Square Miter - Designed exclusively for laying out and marking precise 45-degree angles. An oversized blade accommodates large workpieces.

Square Recess Screwdriver - A square-tipped tool drives square-recessed fasteners in items like recreational vehicles, boats, mobile homes, hobby equipment and furniture hardware.

Square Speed - One of the most popular and versatile carpenter's layout tools available, combining the best features of a framing, try and miter square with the angle finding capability of a protractor. Use for all framing layout work including wall and roof construction and stairway building.

Square Tab Shingles - Shingles on which tabs are all the same size and exposure.

Square Try - A square with a steel tongue in a wooden handle.

Squeegee - Fine pea gravel used to grade a floor, normally before concrete is placed.

Squeegie - Fine pea gravel used to grade a floor, normally before concrete is placed.

Squeeze Clamps - Light duty clamps applied with one hand with an automatic advancing squeeze handle.

Stabalizer Blade - Metal disks aprox. 3 1/2" in diameter that go on each side of a saw blade to minimize flexing and rim vibration.

Stable Block - Small square stone or clay paving traditionally used as flooring in stable areas and similar farm type buildings.

Stablisers Blade - Metal disks aprox. 3 1/2" in diameter that go on each side of a saw blade to minimize flexing and rim vibration.

Stack - The part of a chimney breast visible and extending out from the roof.

Stack Effect - Pressure differential across a building caused by differences in the density of the air due to an indoor-outdoor temperature difference.

Stack Trusses - To position trusses on the walls in their correct location.

Stack Vent - A vertical vent pipe installed for the purpose of providing circulation of air to and from any part of a drainage system.

Stack Waste - A vertical line of piping that extends one or more floors and receives the discharge of fixtures other than water closets and urinals.

Stacked Dado Head - This style of dado cutter has two outside saw blades, using a combination of chipper blades and shims between them the width of the dado is set.

Stage - A raised platform where musicians perform.

Stain - A form of oil paint, very thin in consistency, intended for coloring wood with rough surfaces, such as shingles, without forming a coating of significant thickness or gloss.

Stain Bleeding - Stain which works up or bleeds through succeeding coats of finishing materials.

Stain Blue - A bluish or grayish discoloration of the sapwood caused the growth of certain mold like fungi on the surface and in the interior of a piece, made possible by the same conditions that favor the growth of other fungi.

Stain Blue - A bluish or greyish discoloration of the sapwood caused by the growth of certain dark coloured fungi on the surface and in the interior of wood.

Stain Brown - Brown discolouration of the sapwood of some pines caused by a fungus.

Stain Water - A coloured dye that is soluble in water.

Stair Access - A stair system to provide specific access to roofs, mechanical equipment rooms, or as a means of emergency exit.

Stair Carriage - Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2 X 12 inch plank notched to receive the treads; sometimes called a rough horse.

Stair Carriage Or Stringer - Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2 X 12 inch plank notched to receive the treads; sometimes called a rough horse.

Stair Landing - A platform between flights of stairs or at the termination of a flight of stairs. Often used when stairs change direction. Normally no less than 3 ft. X 3 ft. square.

Stair Rise - The vertical distance from stair tread to stair tread (and not to exceed 7 ").

Stair Run - The horizontal distance of a stair tread from the nose to the riser.

Stair Stringer - Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2 X 12 inch plank notched to receive the treads; sometimes called a rough horse.

Stakes Blue Top Surveyors - Surveyors stakes, marked with a blue lumber marking crayon, that should not be disturbed.

Stamp Duty - A government tax on buying properties.

Standard Practices Of The Trade - One of the more common basic and minimum construction standards. This is another way of saying that the work should be done in the way it is normally done by the average professional in the field. Starter strip.

Standard Security - The legal agreement that gives a lender the legal right of security on a property.

Standard Variable Rate (SVR) - The standard rate offered by a lender.

Standby Heat Loss - Heat lost though storage tank and piping walls.

Standpipe - A vertical piece of drain pipe that automatic washing machine drainage hoses are inserted to.

Stanley Knife - A hand tool holding a replaceable blade to sharply score or trim gypsumboard products, a popular board knife brand is a Stanley knife.

Stapler Pneumatic - Can drive crown-style staples up to 1/2-inch wide and two inches long. Smaller models are great for installing carpeting, roofing felt, floor underlayment and insulation.

Start Motor Capacitor - Motor which has a capacitor in the starting circuit.

Starter Home - A first home purchase. The first or initial home in the property ladder.

State Change - Condition in which a substance changes from a solid to a liquid or a liquid to a gas caused by the addition of heat, or the reverse, in which a substance changes from a gas to a liquid, or a liquid to a solid, caused by the removal of heat.

Static Load - The total amount of permanent non moving weight that is applied to given surface areas.

Static Vent - A vent that does not include a fan.

Stationary Appliance - An appliance which is not easily moved from one place to another in normal use.

Statutory Period - The time period within which a local planning authority is expected to make a formal decision on a planning permission application (usually 8 weeks in duration). If the period of time is exceeded the applicant is then entitled to assume that the application has been denied and as such can appeal directly to the Secretary Of State against this perceived refusal.

STC (Sound Transmission Class) - A single number rating derived from individual transmission losses at specified test frequencies. It is used for interior walls, ceilings and floors.

Steel Angle - An L-shaped steel member.

Steel Bar Number - A number designating the size of a steel reinforcing bar, approximately the bar diameter in eighths of inches; for example, a #5 bar is approximately 5/8 inch in diameter; a #9 bar is approximately 1-1/8 inch in diameter (9/8); bar numbers are rolled onto the bar for easy identification.

Steel Bolted - Steel structural system where the members are assembled and connected with bolts as opposed to welding.

Steel Diameter Number - A number designating the size of a steel reinforcing bar, approximately the bar diameter in eighths of inches; for example, a #5 bar is approximately 5/8 inch in diameter; a #9 bar is approximately 1-1/8 inch in diameter (9/8); bar numbers are rolled onto the bar for easy identification.

Steel Inspection - A municipal and/or engineer s inspection of the concrete foundation wall, conducted before concrete is poured into the foundation panels. Done to insure that the rebar (reinforcing bar), rebar nets, void material, beam pocket plates, and basement window bucks are installed and wrapped with rebar and complies with the foundation plan.

Steel Lintel Built Up - Lintel fabricated of two or more pieces of structural steel secured together to act as one member.

Steel Number - A number designating the size of a steel reinforcing bar, approximately the bar diameter in eighths of inches; for example, a #5 bar is approximately 5/8 inch in diameter; a #9 bar is approximately 1-1/8 inch in diameter (9/8); bar numbers are rolled onto the bar for easy identification.

Steel Siding - Heavy siding material which remains very durable and weather resistant.

Steel Straightedge - Worth the price and a staple of most workshops. Etched gradations provide better accuracy. A T-Square is formed by adding a head to this tool.

Steel Trowel - Tool used for non-porous smooth finishes of concrete. It is a flat steel tool used to spread and smooth plaster, mortar or concrete. Pointing trowels are small enough to be used in places where larger trowels will not fit. The pointing trowel has a point. The common trowel has a rectangular blade attached to a handle. For smooth finish, use trowel when concrete begins to stiffen.

Steel Welding Washer - Washer made of steel to be used for welding in steel fabrication.

Step Flashing - Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane. 6" X 6" galvanized metal bent at a 90 degree angle, and installed beneath siding and over the top of shingles. Each piece overlaps the one beneath it the entire length of the sloping roof (step by step).

Step Ladder - A horizontal flat member used as a step on a ladder.

Step Sill - The first step coming directly off a building at the door openings.

Steri Lamp -

• Lamp with a high intensity ultraviolet ray used to kill bacteria.
• Used in food storage cabinets and in air ducts.

Stick Built - A house built without prefabricated parts, also called Conventional Building.

Stickers - Strips placed between layers of lumber for drying.

Stile - A vertical framing member found in a door panel.

Still Air Space - A confined space of air. A dead air space tends to reduce both conduction and convection of heat. This fact is utilized in virtually all insulation materials and systems, such as double glazing, fibreglass batts, rigid foam panels and loose fill insulations, such as vermiculite and cellulose.

Stinger - A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest; also stringboard.

STL (Sound Transmission Loss) - The reduction of the amount of sound energy passing through a wall, floor, roof, etc. It is related to the specific frequency at which it is measured and it is expressed in decibels. Also called Transmission Loss.

Stock Brick - A traditional clay brick commonly used in house construction within the U.K.

Stock Capital - The total amount invested in the business by the owner in exchange for shares of common stock at par value.

Stone Base - The beginning or starter stone of a fieldstone wall.

Stone Bevelled - Stone cut at angles for a more decorative display.

Stone Cast - Concrete cast in molds for ornamental use in construction.

Stone Chips - Stone or gravel that has been crushed into smaller chips.

Stone Surfaces Waterproofing - A process used on concrete, masonry or stone surfaces to repel water, the main purpose of which is to prevent the coated surface from absorbing rain water while still permitting moisture vapor to escape from the structure. (Moisture vapor readily penetrates coatings of this type.) Dampproofing generally applies to surfaces above grade; waterproofing generally applies to surfaces below grade.

Stones Paver - Usually pre-cast concrete slabs used to create a traffic surface.

Stones Sharpening - Blocks of natural or artificial stones that have been dressed or smoothed. Used with an oil or water lubricant to sharpen blades of woodworking tools such as chisels and planes. Most are rectangular in shape and come in many grades, from coarse to fine.

Stool - A piece of flat moulding placed on the interior side of a window on top of the sloping surface of the windowsill and it forms a weather seal for the sash.

Stop Angle - A water valve that occurs where there is a 90 degree change in direction of the piping, as under a lavatory or sink.

Stop Blind - A rectangular molding, usually ¾ by 1-3/8 inches or more in width, used in the assembly of a window frame. Serves as a stop for storm and screen or combination windows and to resist air infiltration.

Stop Box - Normally a cast iron pipe with a lid (@ 5" in diameter) that is placed vertically into the ground, situated near the water tap in the yard, and where a water cut-off valve to the property is located (underground). A long pole with a special end is inserted into the curb stop to turn off/on the water.

Stop Exterior - The molding or bead that holds the light or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the lite or panel.

Stop Notice Bonded - A stop notice that is accompanied by a surety bond which guarantees any costs assessed against the claimant should the claimant lose its lawsuit.

Stop Order - A formal, written notification to a contractor to discontinue some or all work on a project for reasons such as safety violations, defective materials or workmanship, or cancellation of the contract.

Stop Valve - A device installed in a water supply line, usually near a fixture, that permits an individual to shut off the water supply to one fixture without interrupting service to the rest of the system.

Stops - Mouldings along the inner edges of a door or window frame. Also valves used to shut off water to a fixture.

Storage Bin Ice - A box, frame or enclosed place used for the storage of ice and the maintaining of its solid properties.

Storage Bins Aggregate - In a concrete batching plant, the bins that store the necessary aggregate sizes and feed them to the dryer in substantially the same proportions as are required in the finished mix.

Storage Capacity Heat - The amount of heat which can be stored by a material.

Storage Heat - A device or medium that absorbs collected solar heat and stores it for use during periods of inclement or cold weather.

Storefront Aluminium - A facade of a building or structure which is constructed of a system of aluminium tubing and glass.

Storey - The part of a building between any floor and the floor or roof next above.

Storm Door - A panel or sash door placed on the outside of an existing door to provide additional protection from the elements.

Storm Drain - A drain that carries away rainwater, drainage or excess surface water.

Storm Sash - An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

Storm Sewer - A sewer system designed to collect storm water and is separated from the waste water system.

Storm Window - An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

Story -

• Floor or level of a building.
• A horizontal division of a building, from the floor to the ceiling above it.

Story Blind - A building story that has no windows.

Story Stick - A "Story Stick" or "Story Pole" is a scrap strip of wood used to record dimensions for a project on site, then the dimensions are used in the shop to build the project. This method reduces the chance of error due to misreading numbers etc.

Straightedge Graduated - Indispensable for scribing perfectly straight lines and checking the flatness of a surface.

Straightedge Steel - Worth the price and a staple of most workshops. Etched gradations provide better accuracy. A T-Square is formed by adding a head to this tool.

Strain - The percentage of elongation or compression of a material or portion of a material caused by an applied force.

Strait Edge - A length of timber (75mm x 18mm)with straight parallel edges. Straitedge can be used for checking jambs to make sure they are straight and/or to be an extension to a spirit level.

Straitedge - A length of timber (75mm x 18mm)with straight parallel edges. Straitedge can be used for checking jambs to make sure they are straight and/or to be an extension to a spirit level.

Strap Downspout - A piece of metal which secures the downspout to the eaves or wall of a building.

Strap Gutter - Metal bands used to support the gutter.

Strategic Guidance - The regional Guidance for planning authorities in London and published by the Government.

Streets Arterial - Primary surface roads connecting to expressways with on and off ramps, also connecting sectors of cities, with surface crossings (controlled by traffic lights), normally over continuous long stretches of the cityscape, restricted for parking and to direct access often to adjacent commercial developments; pedestrian crossing controlled.

Strength Yield - The specified minimum yield strength or yield point of reinforcement in psi.

Stress Bending - A compressive or tensile stress resulting from the application of a nonaxial force to a structural member.

Stresses Axial - Compressive or tensile stresses that are coincidental with the central axis of a structural member.

Stretcher Bond - The pattern by which bricks are arranged into a wall. Stretcher bond is when all bricks are laid with their long side on view.

Strike - The plate on a door frame that engages a latch or dead bolt.

Striking Off - The operation of smoothing off excess compound or sealant at sight line when applying same around lites or panels.

Striking Plate - The metal plate of a mortice lock or latch that is fixed into the frame to engage the bolt.

String - A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest; also stringboard.

String Course - Similar to a belt course but thinner, a horizontal band or moulding marking architectural subdivisions such as stories.

String Line - A nylon line usually strung tightly between supports to indicate both direction and elevation, used in checking grades or deviations in slopes or rises. Used in landscaping to level the ground.

String Support - A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest.

Stringboard - A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the support on which the stair treads rest.

Stringer - The two parallel supports that vertical steps are attached to form a staircase.

Strip Bimetallic - A strip made of two metals that bends as the temperature changes. A bimetallic strip of iron and brass, when heated, will bend, as brass expands more than iron, thus bending the strip, and unbending upon cooling, this action can be used to open or close a switch.

Strip Breaker - Strip of wood or plastic used to cover joint between outside case and inside liner of refrigerator.

Strip Canopy -

• A strip of material, usually treated wood or fiber, with a sloping face used to ease the transition from a horizontal to a vertical surface at the edge of a flat roof, prevents the roofing material from abruptly stopping at the parapet wall and also helps prevent leakage at that juncture.
• A triangular shaped strip of wood used under shingles at gable ends or under the edges of roofing on flat decks.

Strip Cant - A beveled support used at the junction of a flat surface and a vertical surface to prevent bends and/or cracking of the roofing membrane at the intersection of the roof deck and wall. Used with a base flashing to minimize breaking of the roofing felts.

Strip Carpet - Wood strip, with a curved or projecting surface, used to finish intersection of base and floor.

Strip Chamfer - An insert that is triangular or curved, placed in an inside corner to produce a rounded or flat beveled edge at the right angle corner of a construction member, also called Chamfering Strip.

Strip Chamfering - An insert that is triangular or curved, placed in an inside corner to produce a rounded or flat beveled edge at the right angle corner of a construction member, also called Chamfer Strip.

Strip Channel Closure - A U shaped resilient strip used to close openings in metal panels and flashing.

Strip Flooring - Wood flooring consisting of narrow, matched strips.

Strip Ledger - A strip of lumber nailed along the bottom of the side of a girder on which joists rest.

Structural - Pertaining to the actual structure of a building and any materials or points that support any load essential to the actual integrity of the building.

Structural Engineer - A qualified professional engineer that specialises in structural and/or architectural engineering.

Structural Floor - A framed lumber floor that is installed as a basement floor instead of concrete, this is done on very expansive soils.

Structural Floor Ledger - The wooden perimeter frame lumber member that bolts onto the face of a foundation wall and supports the wood structural floor.

Structural Plans - Drawn plans detailing the structure of a building.

Structural Report - An in-depth report detailing the structural integrity of a building.

Structural Silicone Glazing - The use of a silicone sealant for the structural transfer of loads from the glass to its perimeter support system and retention of the glass in the opening.

Structural Survey - A report constructed by the surveyor detailing firstly, whether the house is structurally sound and secondly, listing the major/minor defects, (including the necessary work which needs to be done).

Structure Air - A canvas structure supported by air produced by fans.

Structure Air Supported - A structure consisting of a pliable membrane which achieves and maintains its shape and support by internal air pressure.

Structure Base - The level at which earthquake motions are assumed to be imparted to a building; this level does not necessarily coincide with the ground level.

Strut - A structural member which is designed to resist longitudinal compressive stress such as members supporting a ridge beam or rafters; a short column.

Stub - To push through.

Stubbed - To push through

Stucco - A mixture of cement, sand, and water spread over metal screening or chicken wire on wooden walls covered with tar paper.

Stucco - A dry powder, primarily calcium sulfate hemihydrate, resulting from calcination of gypsum, cementitious base for production of most gypsum plasters.

Stud - A vertical wood support in a frame wall.

Stud Framing - A building method that distributes structural loads to each of a series of relatively lightweight studs. Contrasts with post-and-beam.

Stud King -

• The vertical "2 X 4's" frame lumber (left and right) of a window or door opening, and runs continuously from the bottom sole plate to the top plate.
• The last full length wall stud adjacent to a trimmer stud at a door or window opening.

Stud Partition - An interior timber framed wall.

Stud Shoe - A metal, structural bracket that reinforces a vertical stud. Used on an outside bearing wall where holes are drilled to accommodate a plumbing waste line.

Studfinder - The essential tool for locating wall studs. Crucial when hanging heavy objects.

Style - A vertical member of a door framework attached to the horizontal rails.

Sub Drain Building - That part of the drainage system of a house that receives the discharge from the fixtures and cannot drain into the building sewer because it is located below the building sewer or building drain, this piping usually drains into a sump and is pumped up into the house sewer or building drain.

Sub Floor - Below floor level.

Sub Flooring Board - A wooden member that is installed on floor joists to which the finished floor is fastened.

Sub Rough - That part of a building’s plumbing system that is done before the cement is poured.

Subcontractor - A person or company that enters into a subcontract and assumes some of the obligations of the primary contractor.

Subfloor - Boards or plywood laid on joists over which a finish floor is to be laid.

Subfloor Access - The opening in a floor, wall or other surface area that allows access to behind wall, under floor and otherwise non-exposed areas under the floor level for repairs, installation, upkeep and inspection.

Subfloor Ventilation - Ventilation areas below floor level.

Subflooring Board - A wooden member that is installed on floor joists to which the finished floor is fastened.

Subject To Contract - When an offer is made to purchase a property 'subject to contract' it means that all the dealings are subject to the actual exchange of the contract itself. Nothing is binding on either the vendor or purchaser until the contracts are exchanged.

Submission Of Plans - Submission of construction plans to the city or county in order to obtain a Building Permit.

Subsidence - A gradual sinking to a lower level.

Subsiding - The act of gradual sinking to a lower level.

Substantial Completion Certificate - A written document forwarded to the general contractor by the architect, engineer, or owner indicating that the project is substantially complete, this document initiates the time period for the final payment to the contractor.

Substrate - A part or substance which lies below and supports another.

Sulfate Calcium -

• The chemical compound CaSO4.
• White inert pigment which provides very little color or opacity.
• A drying agent or desiccant in liquid line driers.

Sulphate Barium - Heavy, white, extender pigment made from the mineral, barite; unaffected by acids, alkalis.

Sulphate Basic Lead - A type of white lead.

Sulphide Zinc - Compound of zinc used as white pigment in paints.

Sump - A small cistern used to collect excess water from around the footing areas of a building.

Sump Pump - A pump that is placed inside a sump to remove any excess water that has collected.

Sun Path Diagram - A circular projection of the sky vault, similar to a map, that can be used to determine solar positions and to calculate shading.

Sunken Floor - Any floor constructed at a lower level than other floors, also known as a recessed floor.

Super Shear File - Designed for work on softer metals, iron, annealed steel, plastic and hardwood. Has an offset circular tooth that cuts both fast and smooth.

Superior - The person who grants feu - Mostly obsolete now. Relates to property in Scotland.

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) - A guidance which explains and amplifies the planning policies in the Council s Unitary Development Plan and provides guidance and advice to applicants.

Supply System Water - The water supply system consists of the water service pipe, the water-distributing pipes, the necessary connecting pipes, fittings, control valves, and all appurtenances in or adjacent to the building or premises.

Support Bar - A rigid device used to support or hold reinforcing bars in proper position to prevent displacement before or during concrete placement.

Support Cable - A structure which holds cable lines in place or at a safe overhead height.

Surety Bond - A surety companys guarantee that it will stand behind a manufacturers liability to finance roofing membrane repairs occasioned by ordinary wear within a period generally limited to 5, 10, 15 or 20 years.

Surface Abrasive - A surface that has been roughened for safety or for warning.

Surface Asphalt - A flat layer of asphalt.

Surface Brushed - A sandy texture obtained by brushing the surface of freshly placed or slightly hardened concrete with a stiff brush for architectural effect or, in pavements, to increase skid resistance.

Surface Selective - A surface that absorbs radiation of one wavelength (for example, sunlight) but emits little radiation of another wavelength (for example, infrared); used as a coating for absorber plates.

Surface Tile Abrasive - Floor tile that has been roughened to be slip-resistant.

Surfaced Lumber - Any lumber that has been planed after sawing.

Surform Tools - Versatility and speed make these tools the good choice for shaping wood, body filler, fiberglass, aluminium and other soft materials. The round Surform is ideal for roughing out tight curves and shaping holes.

Surrounds - The moulding which outlines an object or opening.

Survey - Inspection of a property by an independent surveyor normally on behalf of the intended buyer.

Survey Buildings - An official, detailed and professional survey of a property. This type of survey should not be mistaken for a simple valuation survey. A building report is recommended on older buildings or on buildings with obvious or suspected structural problems.

Survey Electrical - An in-depth survey detailing the electrical integrity of a building.

Survey Full Structural - The fullest and most comprehensive of the options open to the property buyer. It involves an extensive investigation of the property and a thorough examination of all the major aspects and minor details that are visible. There is some flexibility as you can request the surveyor to concentrate on specific features of the property. It is most suitable for larger, older houses with more potential for problems and those more than 75 years old, property over three stories in height, buildings of unusual construction (such as thatched, timber etc.), or if you plan to extend, convert or renovate the property.

Survey Of Boundary - A survey of the property lines of a piece of land.

Survey Plumbing - An in-depth survey detailing the plumbing integrity of a building.

Survey Quantity - Detailed listing of all materials, equipment, and services needed to complete a project.

Survey Roofing - An in-depth survey detailing the roofing integrity of a building.

Survey Structural - A report constructed by the surveyor detailing firstly, whether the house is structurally sound and secondly, listing the major/minor defects, (including the necessary work which needs to be done).

Survey Valuation - A survey carried out by the lender to ensure that the house's value is not less than the proposed loan. Often the lender will arrange the survey and bill the buyer. This cannot be used as a structural survey.

Surveyor - The person who carries out a structural survey of the property, examining the structure and general state of the house.

Surveyor Of Land - A person who surveys land.

Surveyor Quantity - A person who measures and prices building work, see Quantity Survey.

Surveyor Stakes Blue Top - Surveyors stakes, marked with a blue lumber marking crayon, that should not be disturbed.

Suspended Ceiling - A ceiling that is suspended below an existing ceiling and is connected to that overhead structural member of surface.

SVR (Standard Variable Rate) - The standard rate offered by a lender.

SW Grade Brick - Severe Weather grade of brick intended for use where high resistance to freezing is desired.

Swale - A wide shallow depression in the ground to form a channel for storm water drainage.

Swan Neck Mortise Chisel - This unusual-looking tool is extremely helpful in smoothing out the bottom of mortises. The curved blade is used like a lever to scrape the mortise bottom flat.

Sway Brace - Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally on the inside of a wall from bottom to top plate, to prevent the wall from twisting, racking, or falling over domino fashion.

Swiss Cap - A decorative furnace cap that exhales smoke by spinning.

Switch - A device that completes or disconnects an electrical circuit.

Switch Auto Transfer - An electrical transfer switch that operates automatically.

Switch Auxiliary - A standby device for switching.

Switch Dimmer - An electrical switch that allows the brightness of the light to be regulated by dimming or increasing the light from the switch.

Switch Key - An electric on off switch operated by a removable key.

Switch Light - The switch mechanism to turn on electrical current to a light.

Switch Limit - A safety control that automatically shuts off a furnace if it gets too hot. Most also control blower cycles.

Symmetrical - When two halves of an object are mirror images of each other.

Symmetry Axis - A line dividing an area into two similar but opposite handed figures.

System Active - A solar heating or cooling system that requires outside mechanical power to move the collected heat.

System Alarm - A system installed in a house such as a warning sound or device, as in smoke alarm or burglar alarm.

System Cascade -

• Arrangement in which two or more refrigerating systems are used in series.
• Uses the evaporator of one machine to cool the condenser of another machine.
• Produces ultra low temperatures.

System Ground - The connection of current-carrying neutral wire to the grounding terminal in the main switch which in turn is connected to a water pipe. The neutral wire is called the ground wire.

System Sewer - A sewerage system comprises all piping, appurtenances, and treatment facilities used for the collection and disposal of sewage, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served. and the building drain.

System Sewerage - A sewerage system comprises all piping, appurtenances, and treatment facilities used for the collection and disposal of sewage, except plumbing inside and in connection with buildings served. and the building drain.

System Wall - A modular set of shelves and cabinets that can be arranged along a wall in various combinations.

System Water Supply - The water supply system of a building is composed of the water service pipe, the water distributing pipes and the various connecting pipes, control valves and fittings in or on private property.

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