IHI - Intermountain Home Inspection

Click Here For Terms Diagram

(the numbers by each term correspond to the matching number on the diagram)

Fireplace

1. Chimney:

A vertical masonry shaft of reinforced concrete or other approved noncombustible, heat-resisting material enclosing one or more flues. It removes the products of combustion from solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel.

2. Flue Liner:

The flue is the hole in the chimney. The liner, usually of terra cotta, protects the brick from harmful smoke gases.

3. Chimney Cap:

This tap is generally of concrete. It protects brick from the weather.

4. Chimney Flashing:

Sheet-metal flashing provides a tight joint between chimney and roof.

5. Firebrick:

An ordinary brick cannot withstand the heat of direct fire, and so special firebrick is used to line the fireplace.

6. Ash Dump:

A trap door to let the ashes drop to a pit below, from were they may be easily removed.

7. Cleanout Door:

The door to Erie ash pit or the bottom of a chimney through which the chimney can be cleaned.

8. Chimney Breast:

inside faces or front of a fireplace chimney.

9. Hearth:

The floor of a fireplace that extends into the room for safety purposes.

Roof

10. Ridge:

The top intersection of two opposite adjoining roof surfaces.

11. Ridge Board:

The board that follows along under the ridge.

12. Roof Rafters:

The structural members that support the roof.

13. Collar Beam:

Not really a beam at all. A tie that keeps the roof from spreading. Connects similar rafters on opposite side of roof.

14. Roof Insulation:

An insulating material (usually rock wool or fiberglass) in a blanket form placed between the roof rafters for the purpose of keeping a house warm in the winter, cool in the summer.

15. Roof Sheathing:

The boards that provide the base for the finished roof.

16. Roofing:

The wood, asphalt, or asbestos shingles – or tile, slate or metal – that form the outer protection against the weather.

17. Cornice:

A decorative element made up of molded members usually placed at or near the top of an exterior or interior wall.

18. Gutter:

The trough that gathers rainwater form a roof.

19. Downspouts:

The pipe that leas the water down from the gutter.

20. Storm Sewer Tile:

The underground pipe that receives the water from the downspouts and carries it to the sewer.

21. Gable:

The triangular end of a building with a sloping roof.

22. Garage Board:

The fascia or board at the gable just under the edge of the roof.

23. Louvers:

A series of slanted slots arranged to keep out rain, yet allow ventilation.

Walls & Floors

24. Corner Post:

The vertical member at the corner of the frame, made up to receive inner and outer covering materials.

25. Studs:

The vertical wood members of the house, usually 2 x 4’s generally spaced every 16 inches.

26. Sill:

The board that is laid first on the foundation, and on which the frame rests.

27. Plate:

The board lying across the top ends of the studs to hold them even and rigid.

28. Corner Bracing:

Diagonal strips to keep the frame square and plumb.

29. Sheathing:

The first layer of outer wall covering to the studs.

30. Joist:

The structural members or beams that hold up the floor or ceiling, usually 2 x 10’s or 2 x 12’s spaced 15 inches.

31. Bridging:

Cross bridging or solid. Members at the second or third points of joist, spans to brace one to the next and to prevent their twisting.

32. Sub flooring:

The rough boards that are laid over the joist. Usually laid diagonally.

33. Flooring Paper:

A felt paper laid on the rough floor to stop air infiltration and, to some extent, noise.

34. Finish Flooring:

Usually hardwood, of tongued and grooved strips.

35. Building Paper:

Paper placed outside the sheathing, not as a vapor barrier, but to prevent water and air from leaking in. Building paper is also used as a tarred felt under shingles or siding to keep out moisture or wind.

36. Beveled Siding:

Sometimes called clapboards, with a thick butt and a thin upper edge lapped to shed water.

37. Wall Insulation:

A blanket of wool or reflective foil placed inside the walls.

38. Metal Lath:

A mesh made from sheet metal onto which plaster is applied.

Foundation and Basement

39. Finished Grade Line:

The top of the ground at the foundation.

40. Foundation Wall:

The wall of poured concrete (shown) or concrete blocks that rests on the footing and supports the remainder of the house.

41. Termite Shield:

A metal baffle to prevent termites from entering the frame.

42. Footing:

The concrete pad that carries the entire weight of the house upon the earth.

43. Footing Drain Tile:

A pipe with cracks at the joints to allow underground water to drain in and away before it gets into the basement.

44. Basement Floor slab:

The 4 or 5 inch layer of concrete that forms the basement floor.

45. Gravel Fill:

Placed under the slab to allow drainage and to guard against a damp floor.

46. Girder:

A main beam upon which floor joists rest. Usually of steel, but also of wood.

47. Backfill:

Earth, once dug out, that has been replaced and tamped down around the foundation.

48. Areaway:

An open space to allow light and air to a window, also called light well.

49. Area Wall:

The wall, of metal or concrete, which forms the open area.

Windows and Doors

50. Window:

An opening in a building for admitting light and air. It usually has a pane or panes of glass and is set in a frame or sash that is generally moveable for opening and shutting.

51. Window Frame:

The lining of the window opening.

52. Window Sash:

The inner frame, usually moveable that holds the glass.

53. Lintel:

The structural beam over a window or door opening. Also called a header.

54. Window casing:

The decorative strips surrounding a window opening on the inside.

Stairs and Entry

55. Entrance Canopy:

A roof extending over the entrance door.

56. Furring:

Falsework or framework necessary to bring the outer surface to where we want it.

57. Stair Tread:

The horizontal strip where we put our foot when we climb up or down the stairs.

58. Stair Riser:

The vertical boards connecting one tread to the next.

59. Stair Stringer:

The sloping board that supports the ends of the steps.

60. Newel:

The post that terminates the railing.

61. Stair Rail:

The bar used for a handhold when we use the stairs.

62. Balusters:

Vertical rods or spindles supporting a rail.