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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| Spalling |
Term used to describe the erosion or flaking of bricks or stone surface primarily due to the actions of the elements or sulphate deposits. |
| Span |
The distance between two points that will support a beam or lintel etc. |
| Spandrel |
The triangular shaped panelling that creates the enclosed space beneath a flight of stairs. |
| Speedy Meter |
A type of moisture meter. (See Speedy Test) |
| Speedy Test |
A test procedure to determine the total moisture content of a sample. Measures the pressure of acetylene gas produced within a sealed vessel resulting from the reaction of a measured amount of Calcium Carbide with water present in the measured sample being tested. Only total moisture content is recorded - reading may be influenced by contaminants. (See Carbide Meter)
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| Spoil |
Waste material dug out during excavation. |
| Stack |
Vertical pipe carrying waste away from sinks and toilets. |
| Stretcher |
The side face of a brick. |
| String |
Part of a flight of stairs. A string is the sloping board that runs from the foot to the head of a flight of stairs and supports the ends of the treads and risers of a staircase. (See also Tread and Riser) |
| Sub Floor Ventilation |
The movement of air beneath a ground floor suspended floor facilitated by air vents that penetrate the external walls at the appropriate level. |
| Sub Floor Void |
The space beneath a floor. |
| Substrate |
Material or surface onto which a treatment or coating is applied. (See Suction) |
| Suction |
Term used to describe the ability of a substrate to absorb water when re-plastering/re-rendering. |
| Sump |
A chamber formed within a solid floor of a basement or cellar to contain any water that may penetrate behind a Cavity Drainage Membrane system prior to it being pumped out. |
| Sump Pump |
A submersible electric pump fitted into a sump to pump away any excess water that collects in a sump. |
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