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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S
| Salt Band |
The area of a wall that is at the maximum height
to which rising damp has occurred where hygroscopic salts are present at their
highest concentration. |
| Salt Profile |
The analysis of masonry samples that have been
removed at regular intervals vertically from a wall to establish the
distribution of salts. Often used in conjunction with moisture profiles to
determine the effectiveness of a damp proof course. (See Moisture Profile) |
| Sarking Felt |
Waterproof material, supplied on a roll. Fixed
beneath the roof tile battens when laying a new roof or recovering and existing
roof. |
| Sash |
Framework that contains glass. A sash may be fixed or opening. |
| Saturation |
Maximum stable amount of one material which may be contained in another e.g. active ingredient in a solution, water vapour in the atmosphere etc. |
| Screed |
Layer of concrete used to provide a smooth surface to a solid floor so it is ready to receive the floor’s decorative covering. |
| 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. |
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