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 have little idea 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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C
| Capacitance |
The ability of material to retain an electric
charge. In the damp proofing industry this word is sometimes used to describe a
type of moisture meter. |
| Capillarity |
A phenomenon caused by surface tension and
resulting in the attraction or repulsion of the surface of a liquid in contact
with a solid. (See Surface Tension) |
| Capillary |
A fine bore tube. (See Rising Damp). |
| Capillary Moisture |
Moisture that is present within a material in excess of the air dry (hygroscopic) moisture content. For example capillary moisture will be present within the capillaries of a wall if rising damp of rain penetration is occurring. |
| Carbide Moisture Meter |
A type of moisture meter. Measures the pressure of acetylene gas produced within a sealed vessel resulting from the reaction of a measured amount of Calcium Carbide with any water present in the measured sample being tested. Only total moisture content is recorded - reading may be influenced by contaminants. (See Speedy Test) |
| Carrier |
The liquid in which active ingredients of a treatment formulation are suspended and the means by which the active ingredients are ‘transported’ from the container into or onto the material to which it is being applied. |
| Cavity Drainage Membrane |
A wide sheet material manufactured from high density polyethylene or polypropylene incorporating moulded studs to create an air gap between the membrane and the substrate. Commonly used to line basement/cellar walls and floors to create a dry environment. Special components are required for fixing and joining. |
| Cavity Wall Tie |
Purpose made pieces of metal joining the inner and outer layer of a cavity wall together at regular pre-determined centres to strengthen and aid the stability of a cavity wall. |
| Cavity/Cavity Wall |
The outside wall of a building, made up of an inner and outer layer of brickwork or block work with a space (cavity) between to prevent the transmission of moisture. |
| CDM |
Abbreviation for Cavity Drainage Membrane. |
| Chloride |
A type of hygroscopic salt. Usually present in a wall that has either had or is currently affected by long standing rising damp. (See Hygroscopic Salts) |
| Cold Bridge |
Localised area of poor thermal insulation such as that caused by a solid concrete lintel that penetrates the thickness of a wall. |
| Condensation |
The formation of water droplets when water vapour is cooled below its Dew Point temperature. May form on a surface or interstitially. (See Dew Point & Interstitial) |
| Conductivity |
The ability of a material to conduct electricity. In the damp proofing industry this word is sometimes used to describe a type of moisture meter. |
| Consumer Unit |
Similar to a fuse box; the mechanism by which electrical circuits are protected from overload. |
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