Glossary, 32 terms
Home inspection terms: J and K
Each definition is the Key Term from the lesson named under it. Where two lessons define a term for different uses, both are here.
- J channel flashing
- Channel trim installed around doors, windows, and other wall penetrations with vinyl or aluminum siding.
Lesson 4C, Exterior Trim, Flashing and Sealants, Eaves and Cornice - J1772
- The SAE connector standard used for both AC charging levels.
Lesson 27C, Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (Supplement) - J3400
- The SAE connector standard built from the Tesla NACS design, usable at every charging level.
Lesson 27C, Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (Supplement) - Jack (trimmer) stud
- A stud under the end of a header.
Lesson 12D, Wood Wall Framing, Bracing and Wall Defects - Jack and king studs
- 1. The studs that carry the header of a rough opening.
Lesson 5A, Exterior Doors and Safety Glazing at Doors - 2. The studs that support the header of a framed rough opening.
Lesson 5B, Windows, Window Flashing, Glazing, Window Wells, Escape Openings and Fall Protection - Jack stud
- A stud less than full height that sits under a header to give it bearing.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms - Jackshaft
- A less common opener drive type, mounted above or beside the door, that turns the torsion tube rather than lifting the door.
Lesson 7, Garage Vehicle Doors and Operators - Jalousie door
- A hinged door with many horizontal glass panes that one crank opens and closes together.
Lesson 5A, Exterior Doors and Safety Glazing at Doors - Jamb flashing
- 1. Flashing down the sides of a door or window.
Lesson 4C, Exterior Trim, Flashing and Sealants, Eaves and Cornice - 2. Flashing at the sides of a window opening.
Lesson 5B, Windows, Window Flashing, Glazing, Window Wells, Escape Openings and Fall Protection - Jet pump
- A well pump that may sit at the well top, with one pipe for a shallow well or two for a deeper well.
Lesson 35G, Wells: Types, Location and Components - Joist
- A horizontal member that holds up a floor or ceiling.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms - Joist hanger
- A metal connector that holds a deck floor joist against a ledger or the side of a beam.
Lesson 6C, Deck Guards, Framing, Flooring, Bracing, Beams, Footings and Defects - Joule's law
- The rule that current, resistance, and time determine the heat in an electrical circuit.
Lesson 25B, Older Wiring: Knob and Tube, Cloth NM and Aluminum - Joules Law
- 1. The formula for heat in a circuit: Heat = Current squared X Resistance X Time.
Lesson 23A, Electrical Terms and Basic Electricity - 2. The principle that heat from flowing current depends on the current, the resistance of the material, and time.
Lesson 24B, Overcurrent Protection, GFCI and AFCI - Jumper duct
- In a zoned system, a duct joining the supply plenum and the return plenum to relieve pressure differences.
Lesson 29, Air Distribution Systems, Ducts, Returns and Filters - Jumper wire
- A wire or clamp joining the two metal water pipes at a softener to keep grounding and bonding continuous.
Lesson 35F, Water Treatment Devices and Hot Water Circulation - Jury trial
- A trial in which a jury, directed by a judge, weighs the facts and applies the law.
Lesson 21A, Business Law, Claims and Liability - K gutter
- An L-shaped gutter style, typically 5 or 6 inches in width, and one of the two most common styles.
Lesson 9C, Roof Drainage: Gutters, Scuppers and Internal Drains - Kerf
- The deepest saw cut in a cut stringer.
Lesson 18A, Stairs, Ramps, Handrails and Guards - Keyless fixture
- An inexpensive ceramic fixture with an exposed bulb.
Lesson 26B, Switches, Lights and Ceiling Fans - Keyway
- 1. The gap between wood shingles or shakes in a course, left so the wood can expand.
Lesson 8C, Steep Slope Roofing: Slate, Polymer, Wood and Ice Dams - 2. A groove or slot cut into a footing during finishing to secure walls built at different times.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms - 3. A U-shaped groove cut into the top of a footing while its concrete is wet.
Lesson 11C, Basement Foundations, Materials, Waterproofing and Defects - Kick out flashing
- Flashing at a roof end that turns water away from a sidewall extending past the roof.
Lesson 10A, Roof Flashing: Penetrations, Sidewalls and Headwalls - Kicker
- 1. A piece, usually 2x4 lumber, that ties a rafter and a ceiling joist together and cuts rafter thrust.
Lesson 11A, Structural Scope and Terms - 2. A 2x4 fastened to a rafter and connected to the ceiling framing, installed in place of a rafter tie.
Lesson 13A, Roof and Ceiling Framing, Rafters, Ties and Purlins - Kickplate
- A thin plate, often brass, sometimes fastened to the bottom rail of a door to limit damage.
Lesson 5A, Exterior Doors and Safety Glazing at Doors - King stud
- A stud at the side of a header.
Lesson 12D, Wood Wall Framing, Bracing and Wall Defects - Knob and tube
- A wiring method considered obsolete, with ceramic knobs that support the conductors and ceramic tubes that protect them through framing.
Lesson 25B, Older Wiring: Knob and Tube, Cloth NM and Aluminum - Knock-down finish
- Sprayed drywall texture flattened by hand with a trowel.
Lesson 17A, Interior Walls, Ceilings, Drywall, Plaster and Trim - Knockout
- A removable disc in an enclosure wall, taken out for a cable or conduit entry.
Lesson 24C, Panelboard Defects, Subpanels and Problem Panels - Knockouts
- Openings stamped in an enclosure wall for conduit or cable clamps.
Lesson 23A, Electrical Terms and Basic Electricity - Knowledge statement
- A numbered entry under the Knowledge heading of an outline task.
Lesson 1, Course Introduction and NHIE Overview - Known problem component
- A component with known potential problems, such as certain electrical panels, that is often not practical to inspect fully.
Lesson 19E, Inspection Limitation Statements and Other Report Contents - Kraft paper
- The heavy paper usually used as the facing on a faced batt.
Lesson 14C, Insulation Materials
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.