courtesy of Precision Inspections 512-282-0455

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: The temperature of the air surrounding the equipment or items.

access panel: A panel or door designed specifically to inspect electrical and plumbing items.

amp or amperage: A measurement of the volume of electricity used by the appliance or load.

ball cock valve: The valve that fills the toilet tank with water after flushing.

below grade: Means below ground.

bond: See Grounding Bond.

bonnet: A device on gas water heaters and central gas heaters used to collect the carbon monoxide and carry it out of the house through the roof by way of a vent pipe.

built up or low slope roof: Indicates a tar and gravel or single ply roof.

circuit breaker: A switch for starting or stopping an electrical circuit under normal or abnormal conditions, such as an overload or short circuits. This is normally found in the circuit breaker box or the main panel box.

compressor: The component that circulates the freon in the cooling system, and housed in the condenser.

condenser: The entire outside unit on the air conditioning system.

condenser fan: The fan on the outside section of the air conditioning system.

conducive condition: Condition that makes structure vulnerable to wood destroying insect infestation.

conduit: In electricity, a hollow pipe used to carry the wires to protect them from the elements or abuse.

Differential temperature: The difference (in degrees) between the air in the supply and return grills. If the differential is too low (below 16 degrees) the unit is not cooling properly and should be serviced. If it is too high (over 21 degrees) it indicates a problem that may be caused by low air flow, and requires service.

dishwasher element inoperative: Drying element of dishwasher does not heat.

dishwasher soap dish not operating properly: Dishwasher soap dish will not close properly or doesn’t open properly during normal cycle.

distress: Refers to the foundation. This occurs when the movement of the foundation causes excessive non-support of the home by the foundation. This condition requires repair.

double loaded breaker: More than one wire connected directly to a breaker.

draft hood: The box that collects the carbon monoxide (on top of a gas water heater or gas central heater) and sends it up the vent pipe through the roof.

ducts: Large pipes for air, used in central air conditioning and heating systems.

emergency heat: Available electric heat if the pump fails to operate.

evaporator coil: The cooling coil that is on top of the central heating system.

evaporator fan: The fan on the central heat and cooling system that circulates the air throughout the house.

fan-limit: On a central gas heating unit, this turns the heating cycle blower on and off. If the heater overheats, the fan-unit will turn the heater off.

flashing: A metal or plastic piece on the roof used to funnel water away. Found around such items as chimney, walls that protrude above roof line, plumbing and vents that penetrate roof.

flush valve: A valve used to flush the toilet.

gap behind face brick: A gap between the face brick, decorative brick and the lintel on the fireplace.

gfci breaker: A breaker that has ground fault protection. It is the breaker that has a test button. Its purpose is to test any plugged-in appliance to determine safety. If the appliance could harm or shock the user, then the gfci will terminate power.

gfci outlet: An outlet with ground fault protection. This will have a test and reset button.

glazing putty or plastic strip: The substance that holds the glass in and seals out drafts.

GRADE: The level of soil around the house.

GROUND BOND: A grounding conductor that grounds the neutral buss in the main breaker box or pool equipment.

GROUNDING WIRE: The safety line that is attached to outlets and other devices and is securely connected to the ground (earth) at the breaker box.

GROUT: The visible mortar between the joints of the bricks or the bath and other tile.

HEAT PUMP: A central heating and cooling unit that heats by using the compressor instead of standard gas or electric heat. Said to be high-efficiency methods of heating.

MORTAR JOINTS: The visible material that is placed between tile in baths and other areas to seal and support the tile.

NON-LOAD BEARING WALLS: Walls that support only their own weight.

OPEN GROUNDED OUTLET: The ground wire that connects to the round slot on the outlet or receptacle and is designed to protect the user if an appliance becomes defective. The statement, “not required when house built,” means that the house was built before ground wires were installed, and even though someone has installed 3-prong outlets, there may not have been a ground wire to hook to the outlet. The buyer should understand that he or she has no ground protection if they use these outlets. If the buyer wishes to correct this, it could mean rewiring the house.

OPEN SPLICE: This is a point where a number of electrical wires meet to make an electrical connection. This junction must be placed in an approved box with a cover. This is an item that effects safety.

OUTLET: An electrical receptacle where appliances are plugged in.

OVERLOADED BREAKER: The breaker will allow more current to flow through the wire than the manufacturing of the wire indicates is safe. An example would be a 40 AMP breaker on a 30 AMP wire. The code allows this to exist in air conditioning condenser circuits because of starting loads.

PIER: In a foundation, concrete, brick or wood supports under a pier and beam house.

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE: A safety valve on the water heater that allows cold water in the tank and discharges hot water if the tank overheats or if excessive pressure exists. This is done by allowing the hot water to discharge from the heater.

RECEPTACLE: In electricity, a place to plug in an appliance, tool, light, etc.

REFILL TUBE: A small tube in the toilet tank that refills the bowl with water after flushing.

REVERSE POLARITY OUTLET: The white wire (neutral lend) and the black wire (hot lead) are reversed on the back side of the outlet or receptacle.

RIDGE ROW: The high point on a roof, where two sections of the roof meet.

SHOWER PAN: A pan that is below the tile in the shower. It prevents leakage of water from the shower.

SPIGOT: The neck of the faucet where the water is discharged.

STEM: The portion of the handle of a faucet that turns on the water.

STOP: The device in the sink or tub that keeps water from draining.

TANK BALL: The item that allows water from the tank to the bowl of the toilet to flush the system.

TRAP: Part of the drain system.

VALLEY: In a roof, the low spot where two sections of the roof meet.

VENT PIPE: Pipe installed to discharge hot gases from the water heater and main heater out of the house through the roof.

WATER PENETRATION: A point where water has inappropriately entered the structure. The inspection does not include a determination as to whether water enters the structure as a result of poor drainage, flooding or any other source of surface or subsurface water. This includes above and below the living space, as well as basements.