The amount of Portland cement in a cubic yard of concrete mix. Generally, 5 or 6 sack is required in a foundation wall.

A contract between a buyer and seller which should explain: (1) What the purchase includes, (2) What guarantees there are, (3) When the buyer can move in, (4) What the closing costs are, and (5) What recourse the parties have if the contract is not fulfilled or if the buyer cannot get a mortgage commitment at the agreed upon time.

A sewer system designed for the collection of waste water from the bathroom, kitchen and laundry drains, and is usually not designed to handle storm water.

A device, usually operated by a spring and designed to hold a single hung window vent up and in place

A table on the blueprints that list the sizes, quantities and locations of the windows, doors and mirrors.

The first coat of plaster, which is scratched to form a bond for a second coat.

A small strip of wood, usually the thickness of the plaster coat, used as a guide for plastering.

(1) An opening for drainage in a wall, curb or parapet. (2) The drain in a downspout or flat roof, usually connected to the downspout.

Drying and removing moisture from green wood in order to improve its usability.

A paint or enamel made so that its coating, when dry, has some luster but is not very glossy. Bathrooms and kitchens are normally painted semi-gloss

Main power cabinet where electricity enters a home wiring system.

Underground power supply line.

Shifts in a structure, usually caused by freeze-thaw cycles underground.

The portion of the sanitary sewer which connects the interior waste water lines to the main sewer lines. The side sewer is usually buried in several feet of soil and runs from the house to the sewer line. It is usually 'owned' by the sewer utility, must be maintained by the owner and may only be serviced by utility approved contractors. Sometimes called side sewer.

The physical connection point where the home's sewer line connects to the main municipal sewer line.

Plywood that is face nailed to short (2 X 4's or 2 X 6's) wall studs (above a door or window, for example). This is done to prevent the wall from sliding and collapsing.

A roof containing only one sloping plane.

All components of a house employing sheet metal, such as flashing, gutters, and downspouts.

A small piece of scrap lumber or shingle, usually wedge shaped, which when forced behind a furring strip or framing member forces it into position. Also used when installing doors and placed between the door jamb legs and 2 X 4 door trimmers. Metal shims are wafer 1 1/2" X 2" sheet metal of various thickness' used to fill gaps in wood framing members, especially at bearing point locations.

Various kinds of shingles, used over sheathing for exterior wall covering of a structure.

Usually lightweight louvered decorative frames in the form of doors located on the sides of a window. Some shutters are made to close over the window for protection.

Siding is the outer covering or cladding of a house meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. Siding may be made of wood, metal, vinyl, masonry, or composite materials.

(1) The 2 X 4 or 2 X 6 wood plate framing member that lays flat against and bolted to the foundation wall (with anchor bolts) and upon which the floor joists are installed. Normally the sill plate is treated lumber. (2) The member forming the lower side of an opening, as a door sill or window sill.

Bottom horizontal member of an exterior wall frame which rests on top a foundation, sometimes called mudsill. Also sole plate, bottom member of an interior wall frame.

A window with one vertically sliding sash or window vent.