Glossary, 111 terms
Home inspection terms: 0-9 and A
Each definition is the Key Term from the lesson named under it. Where two lessons define a term for different uses, both are here.
- #90 roll roofing
- A name sometimes used for mineral-surfaced roll roofing, from rolls that once weighed about 90 pounds.
Lesson 9A, Low Slope Roofing: Built-Up Membranes and Roll Roofing - 1/2 bathroom (half bath)
- A bathroom holding only a toilet and a sink; also called a powder room.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - 3-way switch
- A switch used at each of two locations that control one fixture, and at both ends of the circuit when three or more locations control it.
Lesson 26B, Switches, Lights and Ceiling Fans - 3/2/10 rule
- 1. The rule that a chimney should terminate 3 feet or more above its roof penetration and 2 feet or more above any obstruction within 10 feet.
Lesson 39B, Combustion Air, Masonry Chimney Construction, Liners, Flue Area and Defects - 2. The masonry chimney height rule, which also sets how far a factory-built chimney terminates above the roof.
Lesson 40A, Factory-Built Fireplaces and Chimneys - 3/4 bathroom
- A bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower and no bathtub.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - 4-way switch
- A switch used between the two 3-way switches when three or more locations control one fixture.
Lesson 26B, Switches, Lights and Ceiling Fans - Abandoned chimney
- A chimney that is out of use and will stay out of use.
Lesson 40B, Draft Problems, Fireplace Inserts, Wood and Pellet Stoves - ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene)
- A plastic, usually black, used for building sewer, interior DWV, and water service pipe but not for interior water distribution pipe.
Lesson 37A, DWV Rules and Pipe Materials - Absorption cooler
- A cooling system for larger houses that uses ammonia as its refrigerant and an absorber instead of a compressor.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - AC disconnect switch
- A service and safety device for isolating the entire solar system from the house electric system during maintenance.
Lesson 27B, Alternative Energy Systems: Solar PV, Wind and Solar Water Heating - ACCA Manual D
- The standard for designing air distribution systems, which sets duct sizes and air quantities.
Lesson 29, Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and Filters - ACCA Manual J
- The standard for calculating room heating and cooling loads.
Lesson 29, Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and Filters - Acceptance
- The contract element in which a party takes an offer as offered, by an act or by conduct.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Access (child) barrier
- A fence, wall, or similar structure that keeps unauthorized persons, especially children, out of a pool or spa area.
Lesson 2A, Site Scope, Terms and Retaining Walls - Accrual accounting
- A system that recognizes revenue when the work is done and tries to match revenue with expense inside each reporting period.
Lesson 22, Ethics, Starting a Business and Marketing - Accumulator
- The heat pump component on the line into the compressor suction port, which feeds cool, low-pressure gas to the compressor.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - Acetal fittings
- Plastic fittings used with aluminum crimp rings on early PB installations; some systems use acetal compression fittings.
Lesson 34C, PB, Brass and Lead Pipe, Water Connectors and Valves - ACQ, MCQ, and CA-C
- Wood treatment chemicals that replaced CCA.
Lesson 6B, Deck Materials, Flashing, Ledger Attachment and Deck Stairs - Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)
- A pipe material more commonly used as DWV pipe; its use as water service pipe is uncommon.
Lesson 34C, PB, Brass and Lead Pipe, Water Connectors and Valves - Action recommendation
- The part of a deficiency statement that advises the client how to address the deficiency; most SoPs offer repair/replace, further evaluation, and monitoring.
Lesson 19B, Deficiency Statements and Recommendations - Activated carbon filter
- A filter that removes pollutants by passing water through carbon.
Lesson 35F, Water Treatment Devices and Hot Water Circulation - Active system
- A solar water heating system that moves the water or the transfer fluid with a pump.
Lesson 27B, Alternative Energy Systems: Solar PV, Wind and Solar Water Heating - Actual (compensatory) damages
- Damages that usually cover repair or replacement of a misreported system or component, not upgrades or improvements.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - Adapter
- A fitting joining pipes that differ in size or type.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - Adequacy
- For pool and spa access barriers, whether they are sufficient or able to perform their intended functions; home inspectors should not report on it.
Lesson 3, Driveways, Walkways, Patios and Pool/Spa Barriers - Adhered aggregate
- A protective coating of granules on metal roofing, like the granules on fiberglass shingles.
Lesson 8B, Steep Slope Roofing: Fiber Cement and Metal - Adhered masonry veneer (AMV)
- A wall covering, usually manufactured to resemble natural stone, set in mortar on wire lath; also called artificial stone, cultured stone, or manufactured stone.
Lesson 4A, Exterior Scope and Terms, Adhered Masonry Veneer, Metal and Asbestos Cement Siding and Brick Veneer - Adhered veneer
- A veneer such as stucco, artificial stone, or some natural stone, held to the house walls by mortar acting as a glue.
Lesson 4A, Exterior Scope and Terms, Adhered Masonry Veneer, Metal and Asbestos Cement Siding and Brick Veneer - Adhesion contract (contract of adhesion)
- A contract offered with no opportunity to negotiate its terms, by a party holding more power or knowledge.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Adobe bricks
- Bricks of clay and sand, sometimes with straw or grass; traditional ones are hand molded and sun dried, and modern ones are machine made and stabilized with asphalt or cement.
Lesson 12E, CMU, Brick, ICF, SIPs and Uncommon Wall Materials - Advertising
- Message placement that is paid for, including print and pay-per-click ads, brochures, and business cards.
Lesson 22, Ethics, Starting a Business and Marketing - Aerator
- 1. A device that mixes air into the water stream at a faucet outlet.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - 2. A device, usually screwed into a sink faucet spout, that puts air into the water stream and helps prevent the water from splashing.
Lesson 34D, Faucets, Shower Valves, Hose Bibbs and Aerators - AFCI
- 1. Arc fault circuit interrupter, a type of OPD.
Lesson 24A, Service Equipment, Enclosures and Panelboards - 2. Arc fault circuit interrupter; a breaker or receptacle that protects structures from fire caused by an arcing fault.
Lesson 24B, Overcurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCI - Affirmative defense
- A part of an answer that denies the defendant's liability.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency)
- The ratio of the heat a heating system generates to the energy it uses.
Lesson 30, Heating Fundamentals, Combustion and Capacity - Agency
- A fiduciary relationship in which an agent may act for a principal, including entering contracts that bind the principal.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Agent
- The party in an agency relationship who acts for the principal; real estate agents are one type.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Aggregate
- Material that may be installed over EPDM, mainly to reduce wind uplift.
Lesson 9B, Low Slope Roofing: Modified Bitumen, Foam and EPDM - Aggregate (plaster)
- The filler in plaster; usually sand, though vermiculite or perlite may be used.
Lesson 17A, Interior Walls, Ceilings, Drywall, Plaster and Trim - Aggressive water
- Water too acidic or too alkaline, which can damage the patina inside copper tubing.
Lesson 34B, Pipe Supports, Copper, CPVC, Galvanized Steel and PEX - Air admittance valve (AAV)
- 1. A one-way valve, operated by air pressure, that substitutes for an atmospheric vent.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - 2. A mechanical device that can serve as the vent for a trap in place of a pipe open to the atmosphere.
Lesson 38B, Plumbing Vents: Purpose, Inspection, Terminals and Size - 3. A device that opens on negative air pressure to admit air to the drainage pipes and closes to keep sewer gasses out of the building.
Lesson 38C, Vent Systems, Vent Connections and Air Admittance Valves - 4. A one-way valve that admits air to a drain system in place of an open vent; a sewage ejector may not be vented with one.
Lesson 38E, Sewage Ejectors, Backwater Valves and Sump Pumps - Air barrier
- Any material, alone or combined with others, that keeps air from unconditioned areas out of the thermal envelope.
Lesson 14A, Insulation Scope and Terms, R-Value and How Insulation Works - Air bleeder valve
- A valve for removing air from a hot water system by hand, at each radiator or in the piping near the boiler.
Lesson 33B, Hot Water Heating Systems - Air cleaning system
- Equipment beyond a standard filter, such as a 4 to 6 inch high MERV paper filter, a washable electrostatic filter, or an ultraviolet light.
Lesson 29, Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and Filters - Air conditioning
- Broadly, the heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, ventilating, and filtering of air; in residential construction, only the cooling, dehumidifying, ventilating, and filtering.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - Air conditioning system (central)
- A condenser unit, an evaporator coil, and an air handler or furnace that together move heat from inside a house to outside.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - Air distribution system
- The ducts that carry conditioned air to the rooms and back to the HVAC system.
Lesson 29, Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and Filters - Air gap
- 1. The vertical open space between a supply outlet and the flood rim level below it.
Lesson 34A, Plumbing Scope and Plumbing Terms - 2. A backflow prevention device; a bidet water supply should be protected by one or by another backflow prevention device.
Lesson 35D, Toilets and Bidets - 3. A vertical separation between a contaminate source and the water supply inlet; the easiest and most effective backflow prevention method.
Lesson 35E, Standpipes, Floor Drains and Backflow Prevention - 4. The open space between the end of a discharge pipe and the floor or receptor below it, 1-1/2 inches minimum and 6 inches maximum.
Lesson 36C, Demand, Oil and Heat Pump Water Heaters, Relief Valves and Drain Pans - Air handler
- The indoor unit of a heat pump, with a fan, evaporator coil, and controls; sometimes also a name for a forced air furnace that burns fuel.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - Air intake opening
- An opening through which air is drawn in; soffit ventilation openings are one kind.
Lesson 38B, Plumbing Vents: Purpose, Inspection, Terminals and Size - Air scoop (air eliminator)
- An automatic air removal device in the supply piping near the boiler, connected to the expansion tank.
Lesson 33B, Hot Water Heating Systems - Air separator
- An automatic air removal device that does the job of an air scoop by a different means.
Lesson 33B, Hot Water Heating Systems - Air vent
- A secondary air release device on every distribution device of a one pipe system, mounted near its vertical center.
Lesson 33D, Steam Distribution Components, Vents and Traps - Air vent (steam vent)
- A device that lets air out of a radiator or pipe ahead of the steam and closes once steam reaches it.
Lesson 33C, Steam Heating Systems and Distribution Piping - Air-entrained concrete
- Concrete that holds lots of small bubbles.
Lesson 11D, Foundation Repairs, Crawl Spaces and Slabs - Air-impermeable insulation
- Insulation that air cannot pass through, such as closed-cell spray foam or insulation board.
Lesson 16C, Attic Ventilation and Closed Attics - Air-permeable insulation
- Insulation that air can pass through, such as open-cell spray foam, batts, or cellulose hung in fabric.
Lesson 16C, Attic Ventilation and Closed Attics - Air-source heat pump
- A heat pump whose condenser unit exchanges heat with outside air; this type covers the vast majority of all heat pumps.
Lesson 28A, Cooling Systems: Understanding the System - Alligatoring
- 1. A BUR membrane condition; deep alligatoring is deterioration, and minor surface alligatoring is usually cosmetic.
Lesson 9A, Low Slope Roofing: Built-Up Membranes and Roll Roofing - 2. A membrane condition; deep alligatoring is a defect, and minor alligatoring confined to the surface is usually considered cosmetic.
Lesson 9B, Low Slope Roofing: Modified Bitumen, Foam and EPDM - Alloy
- A combination of materials rather than a pure metal; the materials can change how the metal behaves.
Lesson 25B, Older Wiring: Knob and Tube, Cloth NM and Aluminum - Alternating current
- Current that reverses direction, at 60 cycles per second on North American power systems.
Lesson 23A, Electrical Terms and Basic Electricity - Alternative dispute resolution (ADR)
- Resolving a dispute outside the courts, by mediation or arbitration.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Alternative energy system
- A system that provides heat energy, electricity, or motion energy without burning fossil fuel; also called a renewable energy source.
Lesson 27B, Alternative Energy Systems: Solar PV, Wind and Solar Water Heating - American Wood Protection Association (AWPA)
- The body whose Standard U1-16 sets specifications for preservative treated wood.
Lesson 2A, Site Scope, Terms and Retaining Walls - Ampacity
- 1. The maximum current a device or conductor may carry continuously and stay within its temperature rating.
Lesson 23A, Electrical Terms and Basic Electricity - 2. The current a conductor is allowed to carry.
Lesson 24B, Overcurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCI - Anchored veneer
- Brick or natural stone veneer resting on the foundation or reinforced framing and tied to the house walls by metal wall ties.
Lesson 4A, Exterior Scope and Terms, Adhered Masonry Veneer, Metal and Asbestos Cement Siding and Brick Veneer - Ancillary service
- 1. A service a home inspector performs besides the home inspection, such as radon measurement or mold sampling.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - 2. A service performed in addition to a home inspection, such as radon measurement or a pool and spa inspection.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Angle iron
- The rust-resistant support on which a roof-mounted package system usually sits.
Lesson 28B, Cooling Systems: Inspecting Equipment and Typical Defects - Angle stop valve
- A common name for a fixture shutoff valve, whose outlet is at 90 degrees to its inlet; it can be any valve type.
Lesson 34C, PB, Brass and Lead Pipe, Water Connectors and Valves - Annealed
- Flexible copper tubing in coil form, as opposed to rigid tubing; flared fittings are usually used on it only.
Lesson 38F, Gas Pipe Materials: Black Steel, Copper and CSST - Annular space
- The ring of open space around a hole drilled for a wire or pipe.
Lesson 14B, Vapor Retarders and the House as a System - Anode rod
- A sacrificial metal rod in the tank, usually magnesium, tin, zinc, or aluminum, that dissolves in place of the tank.
Lesson 36A, Domestic Hot Water, Storage Tank Basics and Components - Answer
- The defendant's response to a complaint, due within the time the summons states.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - Anti-oxidant paste
- 1. A compound applied to a conductor at a lug to limit corrosion.
Lesson 24C, Panelboard Defects, Subpanels and Problem Panels - 2. A paste highly recommended at aluminum terminals and at copper to aluminum connections, because aluminum tends to oxidize.
Lesson 25B, Older Wiring: Knob and Tube, Cloth NM and Aluminum - Anti-short bushing
- A fitting at a termination of armored cable; AC should have one, and MC does not require one.
Lesson 25A, Wiring Methods, Cables and Raceways - Anti-siphon backflow preventer
- The backflow device in a toilet fill valve, set 1 inch or more over the overflow pipe.
Lesson 35E, Standpipes, Floor Drains and Backflow Prevention - Appendix A2
- An older NHIE content outline printed in Volume 1 of the Home Inspection Manual, weighted 63, 25, and 12 percent.
Lesson 1, Course Introduction and NHIE Overview - Applet
- A simple conditional program, created in IFTTT, that controls smart devices by rules the user sets.
Lesson 18B, Cabinets, Countertops and Smart Home Scope - Appliance garage
- An enclosed space on a kitchen countertop; a receptacle inside one does not count as a required countertop receptacle.
Lesson 26A, Receptacles - Approved clearance reduction system
- Noncombustible material, such as steel or masonry, backed by insulation or an air space, that allows reduced clearances to combustibles.
Lesson 40B, Draft Problems, Fireplace Inserts, Wood and Pellet Stoves - Apron
- The leg of headwall base flashing above the roof covering.
Lesson 10A, Roof Flashing: Penetrations, Sidewalls and Headwalls - Aquastat (aqua-stat)
- The control that decides when a hot water boiler fires, working with the thermostat.
Lesson 33B, Hot Water Heating Systems - Aquifer
- A porous layer of sand or rock, between impervious layers, that usually holds underground water.
Lesson 35G, Wells: Types, Location and Components - Arbitration
- 1. A process the parties may enter voluntarily to end litigation before trial.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - 2. A quasijudicial ADR process in which an arbitrator weighs both parties' evidence and renders a binding decision.
Lesson 21B, Contracts and Insurance - Arc-flash
- A spark from an energized part to a grounded part; its light and heat can burn skin severely and injure eyes.
Lesson 24B, Overcurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCI - Arcing fault
- Sparking between conductors or along one conductor, after a conductor or its insulation is damaged.
Lesson 24B, Overcurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCI - Armored cable (AC)
- A factory-made cable of paper-wrapped insulated conductors inside a flexible covering of interlocking metal; sometimes called BX.
Lesson 25A, Wiring Methods, Cables and Raceways - Array
- Solar panels connected together to produce usable voltage and current.
Lesson 27B, Alternative Energy Systems: Solar PV, Wind and Solar Water Heating - As-built drawing
- A drawing in a septic permit file that locates the tank and the drain field.
Lesson 38D, Septic Systems - Asbestos cement shingle
- A square, rectangular, or polygon shingle about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, made until the early 1990s and no longer available.
Lesson 8A, Steep Slope Roofing: Asphalt Shingles and Tile - Asphalt (blacktop)
- A driveway and walkway material that softens as it warms and needs no crack control or isolation joints.
Lesson 3, Driveways, Walkways, Patios and Pool/Spa Barriers - Asphalt saturated felt
- An original WRB material, usually #15 felt.
Lesson 15A, Insulation Defects, Water-Resistive Barriers, Radiant Barriers and Fenestration - Asphalt shingle
- A shingle with a base of felt or fiberglass impregnated with asphalt; also called a fiberglass shingle or composition shingle.
Lesson 8A, Steep Slope Roofing: Asphalt Shingles and Tile - Assumed name
- A business name other than the owner's own; also called a fictitious name.
Lesson 22, Ethics, Starting a Business and Marketing - Astragal (T-astragal)
- A strip fastened to one leaf of a double door that seals the gap where the leaves meet.
Lesson 5A, Exterior Doors and Safety Glazing at Doors; Lesson 17B, Interior Doors and Floor Coverings - Atmospheric vent
- A vent open to the atmosphere; at least one should serve each house.
Lesson 38B, Plumbing Vents: Purpose, Inspection, Terminals and Size - Atomizing
- Breaking oil into droplets of the correct size as it sprays through the nozzle.
Lesson 32C, Oil Burners - Atomizing type
- Another name for the gun-type oil burner.
Lesson 32C, Oil Burners - Attached veneer
- A veneer such as EIFS or any siding, held to the house by fasteners.
Lesson 4A, Exterior Scope and Terms, Adhered Masonry Veneer, Metal and Asbestos Cement Siding and Brick Veneer - Attachment plug
- The plug on the end of a flexible cord that fits a receptacle.
Lesson 25A, Wiring Methods, Cables and Raceways - Attic
- The space under the roof framing and over the ceiling of the topmost habitable area.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms - Auger
- The screw-shaped part of a pellet stove that moves pellets from the hopper to the combustion chamber.
Lesson 40B, Draft Problems, Fireplace Inserts, Wood and Pellet Stoves - Automatic damper
- A damper that closes a duct whenever the system it serves is not running.
Lesson 16A, Mechanical Ventilation, HRV and ERV, Whole-House Fans - Automatic fill valve
- 1. A valve on newer boilers that admits water to the system as needed.
Lesson 33B, Hot Water Heating Systems - 2. A valve on some boilers that admits water when it is needed.
Lesson 33E, Steam Boiler Components, Solid Fuel and Related Components - Automatic fire shutoff valve
- An oil supply valve that closes automatically if there is a fire; UL842 is the standard for it.
Lesson 38I, Oil Supply, Valves, Filters and Tanks - Auxiliary aids and services
- Help a test administrator provides a candidate with a disability, except where it may fundamentally change the examination or its results or cause an undue burden.
Lesson 43, Scheduling, Taking and Passing the NHIE - Auxiliary condensate management system
- A second condensate system, either an overflow pan or a switch that responds to water level, that limits damage when the primary system is blocked.
Lesson 28C, Cooling Systems: Condensate, Line Sets and Thermostats - Auxiliary structures
- Structures on the property not attached to the house.
Lesson 2A, Site Scope, Terms and Retaining Walls - AWG
- 1. American Wire Gauge, the numbering system for wire diameter, in which a larger number means a smaller wire.
Lesson 23A, Electrical Terms and Basic Electricity - 2. American Wire Gauge, the system for sizing wire; a CSST bonding conductor is at least #6 AWG copper.
Lesson 38F, Gas Pipe Materials: Black Steel, Copper and CSST - Awning window
- An operable window hinged at the top, with a sash that swings out.
Lesson 5B, Windows, Window Flashing, Glazing, Window Wells, Escape Openings and Fall Protection - Axial force (load)
- A vertical force on a member such as a beam or column, which compresses the member where the load is applied.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms
Try the question style
Answer 20 practice questions from 17 of the 19 tasks on the outline. No email needed.
Not ready for that yet? Get the free NHIE study guide, a printable checklist of all 19 outline tasks, by email.