Building Inspection Services You Can Trust

 A

• Air Handler: Part of an HVAC system that circulates and conditions air before it's distributed through the home.
• Asbestos: A hazardous material once used in construction for insulation and fireproofing; exposure can lead to serious health issues.

B

• Backflow Preventer: A device to prevent reverse flow of water into the water supply system.
• Balloon Framing: An older construction technique where long studs extend from the foundation to the roof, now less common due to fire safety concerns.

C

• Circuit Breaker: An electrical safety device designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit.
• Condensation: The process where water vapor in the air turns into liquid, often seen on windows or walls indicating poor ventilation or insulation.

D

• Drip Edge: A metal flashing positioned at the edge of the roof to prevent water from running back under the shingles.
• Ductwork: A system of ducts used in HVAC systems for distributing or collecting air.

E

• Eaves: The lower border of a roof that overhangs the wall of a building.
• Efflorescence: A white, powdery deposit on masonry surfaces caused by salt being carried to the surface by moisture.

F

• Fascia: The vertical board that runs along the edge of the roof's overhang, supporting the gutter.
• Foundation: The lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically concrete, that transfers weight to the ground.

G

• GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter): An electrical device intended for the protection of personnel by detecting ground faults and interrupting the flow of electricity.
• Grout: A mixture used to fill gaps, especially between tiles or in masonry construction.

H

• Heat Pump: A device that transfers heat from one environment to another, used for both heating and cooling.

I

• Insulation: Materials used to prevent heat transfer, keeping the home warm in winter and cool in summer.

J

• Joist: Horizontal structural members used in framing floors or ceilings.

L

• Load-Bearing Wall: A wall that supports the weight of the structure above it.
• Louver: Slatted devices in windows, doors, or vents that allow air passage while providing protection from the elements.

M

• Mold: Fungi that grow in damp conditions and can cause health issues and structural damage.
• Masonry: Construction using brick, stone, concrete block, or tile.

P

• Pest Inspection: Checking for signs of infestation by insects or rodents.
• Pitch (Roof): The slope or angle of the roof plane.

R

• Radon: A radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground, potentially leading to lung cancer.
• R-Value: A measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry.

S

• Soffit: The underside of any construction element, like the eaves of a roof.
• Sump Pump: A pump used to remove water that has accumulated in a water collection sum (basement or crawl space).

T

• Termite Shield: A metal barrier placed in construction to prevent termites from entering the structure.
• Thermal Imaging: A method of improving visibility of objects by detecting the infrared energy (heat) emitted from them.

V

• Ventilation: The process of supplying and removing air from any space to control temperature or remove moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, etc.

W

• Water Heater: An appliance that heats water for use in homes for showers, sinks, dishwashers, etc.
• Weep Hole: Small openings left in masonry to allow water to escape.

Z

• Zoning: Dividing a heating or cooling system into separate areas (zones) to allow for different temperature settings in different parts of the house.