Glossary
‘Trade Jargon Demystified’
Most industries develop their own terminology and very often this ‘techno babble’ is used when communicating with clients. As a consequence some clients struggle to understand what is being talked about or perhaps even worse, they might not know what they will be getting for their money. It has also been noticed that for some strange reason contractors deliberately use this ‘techno babble’ in the belief that it will impress a client – perhaps is does - who knows?
To help decipher some of the commonly used words in the building restoration industry we have explained their meaning when used with regard to building restoration matters. It is fully appreciated that several of the words have other meanings as well. Should you know a ‘techno babble’ word that you feel should be in our list please submit it to us so that it may be included.
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| Second Fix |
Term used to describe the fixing of electrical, plumbing or joinery items that would not be possible or practical until plastering or other work is complete. |
| Setting Coat |
Final smooth coat of plaster onto which decoration is applied. Sometimes called ‘Skim Coat’. |
| Shore up |
To provide temporary support. |
| Siliconate |
Water soluble organic salt of silicones - sodium or potassium. A component in some water based chemical damp proof course fluids. |
| Silicone |
Organic polymer of silicone, usually in the form of a solution which is highly water repellent. Soluble in hydrocarbon solvents such as white spirit and also available in concentrated micro emulsion formulations. |
| Sill |
The bottom horizontal section of a door or window frame weathered to cast off rain water. The underside of a sill will have a ‘drip’ or ‘throating’ to prevent water running back. (See Drip) |
| Skim (coat) |
Final coat of plaster onto which decoration is applied. Sometimes called ‘Setting Coat’. |
| Skirting (board) |
Horizontal run of timber, tiles, plaster or render fixed to the wall at the junction of a floor and wall to protect the plaster/wall and cover the joint between plaster and the floor. |
| Sleeper Wall(s) |
Wall(s) beneath a suspended ground floor which provide intermediate support for floor joists. |
| Slurry |
Semi-fluid mixture of finely ground solids and water. Many structural waterproofing materials are applied as slurry. |
| Soffit |
The visible covering of the underside of flight of stairs or a projecting surface. |
| Soil Pipe |
A vertical pipe that takes waste water and sewage away from a building. |
| Solid wall |
A wall that does not have a cavity. |
| Soluble |
That which can be dissolved in a liquid. (To form a solution) |
| Solvent |
In terms of damp and timber treatment materials, solvent means a hydrocarbon carrier, usually white spirit, in which active ingredients are dissolved to form a solution. |
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