The "wetness" of concrete. A 3 inch slump is dryer and stiffer than a 5 inch slump.

A large pipe that carries liquid and solid wastes to a sewer or septic tank.

The bottom, horizontal framing member of a wall that's attached to the floor sheeting and vertical wall studs.

Round, large cardboard tubes designed to hold wet concrete in place until it hardens.

Heat supplied to the living space, for example, to a room or the living area of a building.

The clear distance that a framing member carries a load without support between structural supports. The horizontal distance from eaves to eaves.

A narrative list of materials, methods, model numbers, colors, allowances, and other details which supplement the information contained in the blue prints. Written elaboration in specific detail about construction materials and methods. Written to supplement working drawings.

A unit of measure-100 square feet-usually applied to roofing and siding material. Also, a situation that exists when two elements are at right angles to each other. Also a tool for checking this.

Fine pea gravel used to grade a floor (normally before concrete is placed).

Supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2 X 12 inch plank notched to receive the treads. Sometimes called a "rough horse."

The vertical distance from stair tread to stair tread (and not to exceed 7 inches).

Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves that provides protection by filling in the spaces under the cutouts and joints of the first course of shingles.

The measure of sound stopping of ordinary noise.

Flashing application method used where a vertical surface meets a sloping roof plane. 6" X 6" galvanized metal bent at a 90 degree angle, and installed beneath siding and over the top of shingles. Each piece overlaps the one beneath it the entire length of the sloping roof (step by step).

An upright framing member in a panel door.

Normally a cast iron pipe with a lid (@ 5" in diameter) that is placed vertically into the ground, situated near the water tap in the yard, and where a water cut-off valve to the home is located (underground). A long pole with a special end is inserted into the curb stop to turn off/on the water.

A device installed in a water supply line, usually near a fixture, that permits an individual to shut off the water supply to one fixture without interrupting service to the rest of the system.

. An extra window usually placed outside of an existing one, as additional protection against cold weather.

That part of a building between any floor or between the floor and roof.

A timber or other support for cross members in floors or ceilings. In stairs, the supporting member for stair treads. Usually a 2 X 12 inch plank notched to receive the treads

A framed lumber floor that is installed as a basement floor instead of concrete. This is done on very expansive soils.

Refers to an outside plaster finish made with Portland cement as its base.

A building method that distributes structural loads to each of a series of relatively lightweight studs. Contrasts with post-and-beam.

The framing components of a floor to include the sill plate, floor joists, and deck sheeting over which a finish floor is to be laid.

A submersible pump in a sump pit that pumps any excess ground water to the outside of the home.