Air Infiltration: the movement of air in or out. 

Arbitration: the process of using an impartial third party to settle disputes between two parties. 

Bowing: a bend or bulge.  

Caulk: sealant used to fill space or gaps between two materials.

Circuit Breaker: a part of the electrical system used as a safety device that stops the flow of an electric current when a fault is detected. Typically found in the garage or basement 

Condensation: the process in which gas changes into a liquid when it touches a cooler surface. The opposite of evaporation.  

Control Joint: intentionally made gap in finished concrete surfaces used to control concrete cracks. Typically found in walkways, driveways and patios. Also known as an expansion joint. 

Cupping: when the center of a shingle is concave or curls inward, so the tile forms a cup.

Dehumidifier: moisture/humidity control system

Depressions: a place that is lower than the surrounding area.

Deteriorates: to wear away

Downspout: a pipe that carries rainwater from the roof to ground level or to a drain. 

Drywall: a type of board used to form the interior walls. Also known as sheetrock. 

Ductwork: used to transport air from the heating and cooling system throughout the home. Pipes/lines used to transfer water, gas or refrigerant lines are not ductwork. 

Epoxy Injections: a method of basement concrete wall repair where epoxy/glue is used by injecting into the wall.  

Finished area: any area that is suitable for year-round living. Requires walls, floors and ceilings.  

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI): type of circuit breaker that is designed to shut off power when it senses an imbalance between the outgoing and incoming current. This type of circuit breaker is extremely sensitive to moisture and helps protect against electrical shock and damage.

Grout: used to fill the space between ceramic tiles and seal the gaps 

Gutter: a shallow trough located at the edge of the roof that collects rainwater/runoff from the roof and directs it to the downspouts. 

Expansion Joints: intentionally made gap or joint in finished concrete surfaces, also known as a control joint. Used as a method to control concrete cracks. 

Typically found in walkways, driveways and patios. 

Footing: the system at the base of the foundation wall that supports and distributes weight from the foundation to the ground. 

Foundation: found at or below the surface of the ground and bears the load of the home. 

Joists: lumber that spans from wall to wall or wall to beam to provide main support for flooring, ceiling or roofing systems.  

Lintel: part of the load bearing components of a brick home. Found above doors and windows.  

Load Bearing Beam: used to support the weight of or from upper floors and/or the roof. Replaces a load bearing wall. 

Manufacturer: the maker of a specific product. Manufacturer information can be found in your online warranty portal. 

Manufacturer’s Warranty: the warranty provided by the manufacturer or the maker of a specific product.  

Masonry: brick or stone

Mortar Joints: spaces between brick, stone or manufactured stone that are filled with mortar (cement product used to bond brick and stone). 

Nail pop: a small bump or crack in the drywall caused by a nail or screw that “pops” through the surface. Often the result of the natural settling of the house.

Out-of-plumb walls: walls that are not vertically straight when checked with a level.

Out-of-square walls: walls that do not form right angles.

Passage door: any door that you pass or walk through (bedroom or bathroom door). 

Patio: an outdoor living space that is typically located in the back of the home. 

Rafters: found in the attic, a part of the framework that makes up the roofing support system.  

Ridges: a place that is raised or higher than the surrounding area.

Roof Flashing: a flat, thin metal material that keeps water from getting underneath the shingles. 

Settlement: occurs overtime as the ground beneath the foundation compacts. 

Sheathing: plywood, OSB or gypsum board that is used to enclose and protect the walls of the home.

Shrinkage Cracks: cracks that normally appear in construction materials. Occur due to change in moisture - materials expand when they absorb moisture and shrink when they dry.

Siding: building material used to protect and decorate the sides of the home.

Slab: a concrete floor or surface 

Soil erosion: the wearing away of dirt or soil by water, wind and human actions

Stoop: a small staircase leading to the entrance of the home.

Subfloor: provides a stable, level surface that flooring can be installed on. Can be wood or the slab. 

Swale: an engineered depression/ dip in the ground used to drain water.

Threshold: what you step across when entering from an exterior (outside) door. 

Trusses: an engineered assembly of wood or metal components used to support roofs or floors. 

Warping/ Warped: to become bent or twisted out of shape. Typically results from heat or dampness.  

Weather Stripping: material placed around doors, windows and other openings to prevent air, dust, rain or other elements from entering.

Unfinished area: any area not suitable for year-round living or without walls, floors or ceilings similar to the rest of the house. Example: garage or basement without plumbing.   

Veneer: a decorative, thin cut of wood applied to a surface.

Vertical Displacement:  the shifting or moving of building material in a vertical (up and down) direction.