A BUILDING AND DIY GLOSSARY
Do you ever feel confused and lost when Builders, Tradesman and
Handymen are talking about the works they do? Does it all sound
greek? Here at DU.IT we don't want to dazzle you with fancy terms,
so this little list of trade terms are here to help. All of our
staff will be happy to talk through any thing about the building
terms they use, so you can understand what is happening. We like to
make sure we can both DU.IT together in a clear and concise
manner.
HEATING & PLUMBING
Air locks
A trapped bubble of air causes a blockage in a pipe, resulting
in a sputtering supply or even no water at all. Use mains pressure
to cure the problem by fixing a length of hose between the tap and
a mains-fed cold-water tap, and opening both taps for a short
while.
Balanced flue
Used with heating appliances such as boilers. A ducting system
that draws fresh air from the outside of a building and discharges
gases back out.
Bleed valves
A circular valve, usually at the top of one end of the radiator
but sometimes at the back, for draining water out of radiators or
to remove trapped air using a bleed key.
Combi boiler
Water is heated instantly on demand when the hot tap is opened.
Water comes directly from the mains so water pressure is generally
strong, but taps on elsewhere in the house can affect flow. No
tanks in the loft or storage cylinders are needed.
Condensing boiler
Gas central heating boilers (either Conventional or Combi) that
are very energy efficient as they recapture heat that would
otherwise be lost. Often more expensive to buy but help to reduce
energy bills
Conventional gas boiler
Fuel is burned in a combustion chamber surrounded by a water
jacket, which is heated and circulated around the heating system.
Generally used with a hot water cylinder and roof tanks, they can
be floor standing or wall mounted
Epoxy putty
Adheres to most metals and hard plastics, used to repair leaking
pipes. Supplied in two parts that start to harden as soon as they
are mixed, and is fully cured after 24 hours. Although the results
are good, it should really be viewed as a medium-term solution -
replacing a length of the pipe is preferable.
Immersion heater
An electrical water heater inserted into the hot water cylinder,
the term refers both to the element (like a larger version of the
one in a kettle) and the thermostat. Some heaters have two elements
- a full-length element to take advantage of off-peak electricity
and a shorter one for top-up daytime heating.
LPG boiler
Liquefied Petroleum Gas is delivered to homes that don't have a
mains gas supply. Conventional, Combi or Condensing boilers can all
be configured to use LPG.
Single-stack soil pipe
The pipe into which waste from the WC plus 'grey water' (from
the basin, bath and shower) drains, connecting to the main drains
system. Common in houses built since the 1950s, the pipe is usually
inside the house.
Soil pipe
A separate pipe from the grey water pipe taking waste from the
WC to the main drain, usually sited on the exterior wall.
Stopcock
Used to turn off the water supply so you can drain the system to
replace pipes etc, the water company stopcock is outside in the
street while the household stopcock is usually in the hall or
kitchen.
Thermostatic radiator valves
Control the heat of each room via a sensor in the head that
responds to the air temperature around it. More cost efficient than
a central electronic thermostat as you can control the heat in the
rooms you use. They can get stuck if left turned off for long
periods of time.
CARPENTRY
Acrylic fillers
Flexible fillers used for woodwork. Filler is squeezed from the
cartridge into the gap, such as that between the skirting and wall,
then smoothed off with a damp cloth.
Architrave
The moulding around a window or door, which is both decorative
and functional as it conceals the join.
UPVC Doors
Reinforced plastic doors that require a minimum of maintenance.
Often styled to mimic wooden versions with sculpted panels and
glazing, white and wood-effect finishes are available.
WALLS & CEILINGS
Lath and plaster
A way of surfacing a timber-framed wall or ceiling. Narrow
strips of wood are nailed to the studs or joists, with plaster
applied on top. (this is an old traditional method not really used
anymore)
MDF
Medium Density Fibreboard is formed of compressed wood fibres
and comes in standard, moisture-resistant and exterior grades. It
is suitable for most situations where you would use wood ,
including flooring and shelving.
Plasterboard
Sheets of board for internal use on walls or ceilings, made with
a core of aerated gypsum plaster backed on both sides with strong
paper. Available in a range of sizes, it's easy to fit and offers
sound and fire insulation. Can be painted or plastered.
Partition walls
Interior, non-load bearing walls usually constructed from a
wooden (or sometimes metal) stud frame covered with plasterboard,
sheets of cellular core partitioning sheets that are slotted in a
frame, glass blocks, or lightweight concrete blocks.
Stud partition wall
An interior wall formed with a timber or metal frame
strengthened with uprights or 'studs' and often finished in
plasterboard. They are easy to remove as they do not support any of
the structure.
FLOORS
Engineered wood flooring
A 'floating' system (ie it isn't fixed to the floor beneath) with
each plank constructed from three to five layers of wood, usually a
central core of soft wood with a hardwood top layer. Crossing the
grains gives the floor its stability, plus the hardwood is less
like to warp. As only the top layer is expensive hardwood, it's
also cheaper than a solid wood floor made of 18mm-thick planks.
Floor screed
A thin layer of cement applied to a concrete floor to give a
smooth surface. A level surface is an essential base for final
floor coverings.
Laminate flooring
High-density fibreboard covered in a printed, wood-effect paper
that is then varnished. To install, some systems glue together and
some simply click or slot together. Different types are designed
for specific uses, for example in moist areas or areas of high
traffic.
Parquet flooring
Hardwood blocks laid in a variety of decorative patterns. The
blocks are glued to the subfloor to fix in place and in some
systems lock to each other.
DECORATING
Acrylic glaze
A water-based milky liquid that remains wet long enough to
create a desired decorative effect. It can be coloured and is often
applied over a base colour.
Acrylic paint
Suitable for use on wood, these are water based, therefore
non-flammable, odourless and less of a risk to health and the
environment. Quick drying, unless the day is damp or humid.
Ambient lighting
Low-key background lighting to create a relaxed mood, rather
than direct task lighting required for specific functions. Use of
shadow is considered as well as the areas that are illuminated.
Artex
A surface coating usually found on ceilings that can be textured
in a variety of patterns and then painted. It can be difficult to
remove, and care should be taken as Artex from before the mid-1980s
may contain lead
Distemper
A traditional finish comprising powdered chalk or whiting, glue
size and water. Most paints and wallpapers won't adhere to it, so
brush off loose particles and apply a coat of stablising primer to
secure any remaining flakes.
Knotting solution
Applied to knots in wood to seal in the resin and stop it
bleeding through and discolouring the finish.
Primer
The first coat applied. A metal primer prevents corrosion, while
priming wood reduces the absorption of subsequent layers of
paint.
Silicone sealant
Forms a flexible join, for example around the edge of the bath,
where regular grout or mortar would crack. Sold in plastic
cartridges that slot into applicator guns.
EXTERIORS
Arris rails
The triangular supports that run horizontally between fenceposts in
a closeboard fence. Featherboards are then tacked onto the arris
rails.
Barge boards
A part of the roof, they protect the end of the rafters along
the gable from the elements.
Damp proof course (DPC)
A layer of impervious material, laid between a course of bricks,
to stop moisture rising into the walls of a building, causing
damp.
Damp proof membrane (DPM)
A layer of impervious material, laid beneath the floor screed,
to stop moisture rising through a concrete floor.
Fascia boards
Part of the roof, these attach to the end of the rafters and
hold the guttering.
ELECTRICITY
Earthing, electricity
Protective multiple earth is a system of electrical wiring in
which the neutral part of the circuit takes earth-leakage current
to earth. The earth wire gives a safe route for the current if the
live wire touches the outer casing, as it's connected to the metal
casing and will blow the fuse.
PIR sensors
Passive Infra-Red sensors activate security lights when they
detect heat emitted by the body, rather than by movement. Drawbacks
are that some PIR sensors are over-sensitive, picking up the
movement of small animals, and that the outside temperature affects
them.
PROBLEMS
Dry rot
As the name suggests, this needs much less moisture than wet rot
and is found instead in areas with poor ventilation. Fungal spores
attack timbers (and sometimes masonry) and deterioration progresses
at an alarming rate, meaning professional treatment is required
urgently. Eliminate any source of moisture, ensure adequate
ventilation (by installing airbricks if necessary), cut away any
damaged timbers and treat with a chemical eradicator.
Efflorescence
A white powder deposited on walls, as soluble salts migrate to
the surface of a wall or ceiling, often indicating dampness.
Penetrating damp
Water permeates the structure of the building, only during wet
weather, drying out when the weather improves. More serious cases
may mean the wall itself has become porous - more common in older,
solid wall structures, it will need to be coated in a waterproofing
liquid. Check gutters and down pipes aren't overflowing.
Rising damp
Water soaking up from the ground permeates the walls to a height
of 1m. It may mean the DPC is damaged or missing, or that something
- such as earth in a flowerbed - is bridging the barrier. There
will be patches of damp or efflorescence. Repair or replace the
DPC, remove any bridging materials and treat the interior wall with
waterproofing solution (remember this alone will not solve the
underlying problem).
Wet rot
Only occurs in timbers that have been exposed to high levels of
moisture, often exterior doors and windows when the paint has been
allowed to peel. Eliminating the cause of the moisture will stop
any further deterioration. Timbers will need to be stripped,
treated with a chemical wet rot treatment and repainted, or cut out
and replaced in severe cases.
BUILDING
Airbricks
Perforated bricks built into the outside walls of a building to
ventilate the space between a suspended wooden floor. They should
be positioned every 2m to avoid dry rot developing.
Cement
A fine grey powder made from limestone or chalk and clay that
hardens and is often used as a binding material. Used for rendering
and bricklaying.
Concrete
A mix of cement and aggregates (usually sand and pebbles). When
mixed with water, the cement binds the aggregate into a hard
material over the course of three to seven days.
Epoxy resin adhesive
A very strong, rapid-curing glue that binds most materials
including metals, rigid plastics, wood and rubber. Often supplied
in two tubes to mix immediately prior to use.
First fix
A stage in renovation or new builds when major works are begun
on the interior. Builders and carpenters erect the walls, the
majority of the plumbing and electrical systems are installed,
including boilers and pipes.
Mortar
The adhesive used to bind bricks, usually a mix of cement,
hydrated lime and sand mixed with enough water to make it
pliable.
Sand and cement mix
To produce the correct mortar for the job, the ratio of soft and
sharp sand to cement will vary. Lime and colouring can also be
added.
Second fix
Now the location of plugs etc are fixed, the plasters can cover
the walls. The electrician returns to connect light switches and
sockets, test the system and connecting it to the mains. The
plumber connects the sanitary ware, radiators and connects the
boiler to the electrics, and tests the system is safe. The
carpenter also returns to begin the decorative work.
Snagging
Identifying problems and faults with new-builds and correcting
them before the property is handed over. This should be an on-going
process during the whole build, but some snags will only come to
light after the owner has moved in.
WINDOWS
Aluminium windows
Usually requiring a wooden subframe, they are sold as complete
units and require no maintenance.
Dormer windows
Extensions that protrude from a sloping roof to hold a vertical
window, can either be gabled or flat roofed. Often found in loft
conversions as they increase headroom.
Double-glazed windows
Each pane of glass comprises two (or more) sheets of glass with
a hermetically sealed gap between to improve the thermal
performance of the glass.
Hardwood windows
Timber-framed windows, often more expensive but offer more
character. Maintenance is necessary every five to 10 years,
depending on conditions.
Replacement windows
Required when the existing windows have deteriorated. Benefits
include better sound and heat insulation, but care should be taken
to choose a sympathetic option when replacing windows in older
homes.
Sash windows
Vertically sliding windows, operated by weighted pulleys
concealed within a box frame. When both top and bottom sashes move,
they are called 'double-hung'.
UPVC windows
Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) is a rigid plastic and
is a low-maintenance, low-cost alternative to wood for window
frames and sills. A range of colours and finishes are available
