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ABS
An abbreviation for acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene, a black plastic piping used in DWV
piping. Uses mechanical no-hub joints.
A-coil A type of
evaporator coil in a cooling system that consists of
double plates of coils
connected at the top, forming an A- shape.
Acoustic tiles A ceiling
tile made of fiber board, fiberglass, cork, or mineral
particles.
Adapter A device with a
3-slot receptacle for an appliance plug and a 2-prong
plug for
inserting into a 2-slot outlet.
Aerobic bacteria Bacteria
that live in an oxygen- rich environment and break down
solid
waste matter.
Aerobic bacteria Bacteria
that live in an oxygen-rich environment and break down
solid
waste matter.
Air cooled air conditioning
A cooling system where heat is removed
from the refrigerant
by means of a fan blowing air over the condenser.
Airkrete
A site-foamed insulation made of a
mixture of cement containing syrup and air.
ALA rating indicating
that breakers are approved for use with aluminum branch
circuit
wiring.
Alligatoring
A condition with built-up roofing where a
network of cracks covers the surface
due to expansion and contraction.
Alligatoring
A process in which the solvent in paint
evaporates too quickly, leaving residual
solvent in the paint and causing wrinkling or cracking of the surface.
Alternating current An
electrical current, used in homes, in which electrons
move back
and forth at a frequency of 60 cycles per second.
Aluminum siding
Horizontal planks of aluminum with a baked-on enamel
surface, used as a
wall cladding.
Ampacity
The number of amps that can safely pass
through a given conductor.
Amperage rating In home
inspection, the size of amp service supplied to a home.
For
example, a 100-amp or 200-amp service.
Amperage See
Current.
Amps The unit of measure
for current.
Anaerobic bacteria
Bacteria that live in an oxygen-free environment and
break down solid
waste matter.
Anaerobic bacteria
Bacteria that live in an oxygen-free environment and
break down solid
waste matter.
Anchor post In a
tie-back, the wooden post that connects to a wooden
retaining wall and
extends back into the soil.
Angled crack A diagonal
foundation crack caused when the upload and download on
the
foundation offset each other.
Anoderod
In a water heater, a rod that will give
up ions before the steel tank does, thus
protecting the tank. Usually magnesium or aluminum.
Anode rod In a water
heater, a rod that will give up ions before the steel
tank does, thus
protecting the tank. Usually magnesium or aluminum.
Anticipator A device on a
thermostat that turns a heating system on and off just
before
present temperature settings are reached.
Anti-oxidant compound A
grayish paste applied to aluminum wiring connections to
prevent aluminum oxide from forming.
Anti-siphon device See
Backflow preventer.
Anti-siphon device See
Backflow preventer.
Aquastat
A temperature-sensitive device in a
boiler that is immersed in water to detect
temperature changes in water, thereby activating the circulating pump.
Aquifer A water-bearing
strata in the earth of permeable rock, sand, or gravel.
Aquifer A water-bearing
strata in the earth of permeable rock, sand, or gravel.
Artesian well A well
whose aquifer has enough pressure to bring water to the
surface
without a pump.
Artesian well A well
whose aquifer has enough pressure to bring water to the
surface
without a pump.
Asbestos A mineral fiber
found in rocks, used in home products including
insulation. The
EPA considers asbestos fibers to be a health hazard.
Asbestos cement shingles
A mixture of portland cement and asbestos fibers in
shingle
form, used as a roof covering.
Asbestos cement siding A
mixture of Portland cement and asbestos fibers in
shingle
form, used as a wall cladding.
Asphalt composition siding
Asphalt- impregnated felted mats coated
with an asphalt
formation and covered with a granular material, used in shingle form as a
wall cladding.
Asphalt shingles
Asphalt-impregnated felted mats coated with an asphalt
formation and
covered with a granular material, used in shingle form as a roof
covering.
Automatic fill valve A
valve on the plumbing line to a boiler that adds water
to the system.
Auxiliary condensate line
Drain piping from an air conditioning
system in addition to the
main condensate line.
Awning window A window
hinged at the top to open outward.
Awning window A window
hinged at the top to open outward |