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Racking A condition where a structure leans in such a way that the angles it forms with the
  foundation are no longer 90°.

Radiant heating A system consisting of continuous piping from the boiler or electric cables
  laid out in rows buried in the floor or ceiling, thereby heating a room by radiation.

Radiation The transfer of heat from a warmer object to a cooler object not in contact with
  it by radiating heat energy.

Radiators Heat outlets made of heavy metal piping that deliver hot water or steam from the
  boiler and radiate heat into the room.

Radon A gas that occurs naturally when uranium in the soil and rocks breaks down. The
  EPA considers radon as a health hazard.

Rafter spread A condition where the roof load bearing on the rafters forces them
  outwards.

Rafter spread A phenomenon where the roof load bearing on the rafters forces them
  outwards.

Rafter spread A phenomenon where the roof load bearing on the rafters force them
  outward.

Rafters Structural members of a pitched roof that support the roof covering and transmit
  roof loads to bearing walls and beams below.

Rafters Structural members of a pitched roof that support the roof covering and transmit
  roof loads to bearing walls and beams below.

Rail The top piece in a window sash.

Rain cap A metal cap attached to the top of the chimney flue allowing gasses to escape but
  prevents rain from entering the flue.

Rake The overhang at the gable end of the roof.

Reciprocating pump See Piston pump.

Refrigerant lines The copper piping that moves the refrigerant in both gas and liquid
  states through a cooling system.

Refrigerant The gas in a cooling system that changes between a gas and liquid state,
  commonly called Freon.

Registers Heat outlets in the home that deliver warm air from the furnace.

Relief valve extension Discharge piping from the relief valve on a water heater to the
  floor.

Relief valve On a water heater, a valve that releases water when temperature or pressure
  is too high.

Resilient floor coverings A range of tiles and sheet goods laid as a finish floor. Includes
  linoleum, rubber tiles, and various vinyl sheets and tiles.

Resistance The opposition offered by a material when a current passes through it.
  Resistance is measured in units called ohms.

Resting slab Where a slab is laid to rest on top of a conventional foundation.

Return ducts Ducts that deliver cool air from the home back to the furnace.

Reverse polarity Where the hot wire is wired to the large slot in an electrical outlet and
  the neutral wire is wired to the small slot, the opposite of how it should be done.

Reverse polarity Where the hot wire is wired to the large slot in an electrical outlet and
  the neutral wire is wired to the small slot, the opposite way of how it should be done.

Reverse trap toilet A 2-piece (tank and bowl) toilet with a larger wetted area than earlier
  models.

Reversing valve A valve in a heat pump that changes the direction of the refrigerant
  process.

Ribbon slate Slate shingles with a ribbon of color in them.

Ridge board A horizontal framing board at the peak of the roof to which rafters are
  attached.

Ridge cover Protective flashing laid across the ridge and finished with shingles or roll
  roofing to protect the ridge from water penetration.

Ridge The horizontal intersection of two sloping roof surfaces.

Ridge vent A vent located on the roof ridge, running the length of the ridge.

Rigid board insulation Wide rigid boards of insulation used on foundations and walls,
  made of fiberglass, wood fiberboard, or foamed plastics.

Rigid metal conduit See Conduit.

Rise The vertical height of the roof.

Riser The vertical portion of a step on a staircase.

Risers Water supply pipes that carry water vertically up through the house.

Rock wool An insulating fibrous material made by blowing steam through molten rock or
  slag, used as batts, blankets, or loose fill.

Roll roofing An asphalt-impregnated felted mat of fibers coated with asphalt formations and
  covered with a granular material, used in strips as a roof covering.

Romex cable A non-metallic sheathed cable used in branch circuit wiring which carries a
  hot, a neutral, and a ground wire.

Roof covering The outer layer of shingles, tiles, or other materials used to protect the roof
  from water penetration.

Roof truss An engineered, prefabricated geometric roof framing component.

Roughed-in fireplace An opening left with a connection to the chimney intended to provide
  the space for a fireplace to be installed later.

R-rating The total heat resistance for a given thickness of insulation and equal to the
  insulation's R-value times its thickness.

Run The horizontal length of the roof from the eave to the center point.

R-value A number that represents an insulation material's resistance to heat flow per inch
  of thickness.

 

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