House Inspection Blog of Total House Inspection - Rochester Hills Michigan

A flat tool used to smooth concrete flatwork immediately after screeding. See Bullfloating.

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…

An air valve that regulates the flow of air inside the flue of a furnace or fireplace.

A rectangular groove across the width of a board or plank. In interior decoration, a special type of wall treatment.

Valves used to shut water off, generally located under sinks or behind bathtub and shower access panels. They cut off hot and/or cold water at the source without cutting all water off throughout the house.

In roofing, basic asphalt or tar which has been "cut back" with solvents and oils so that the material become fluid.

Nominal 2-inch-thick members, usually 2x4s, cut in between each stud diagonally.

A piece of roofing membrane consisting of one or more narrow plies of felt usually mopped in hot to seal the edge of insulation at the end of a day's work.

A thin wall, supported by the structural steel or concrete frame of the building independent of the wall below. Also a metal (most often aluminum) framing system on the face of a building containing vision glass panels and spandrel panels…

A ditch sometimes filled with gravel and a drain tile which diverts storm and drain water away from a structure.