Access Tower
A portable scaffold platform used for working safely at height.
ACO Drain
A linear drainage system with a grated channel that collects and directs surface water, commonly used in driveways and patios.
Airbrick
A brick with holes that allows ventilation, usually found below timber floors.
Apron
A raised strip at the base of a chimney that directs rainwater away from the roof.
Architrave
Decorative moulding that frames a doorway or window.
Artex
A surface coating used for interior decorating, popular in the UK from the 1960s to the 1980s. It was applied to walls and ceilings to create textured patterns, such as swirls or stippling.
Asbestos Cement
A material made from asbestos fibres and cement, used in older roofing and siding.
Asphalt
A black, waterproof material used on flat roofs and driveways.
Back Gutter
Flashing placed at the back of a chimney to prevent water leakage.
Bargeboard
Decorative timber fitted along the gable end of a roof.
Batten
Narrow strips of wood that tiles or slates are attached to on a roof.
Bay Window
A window that projects outward from the main walls of a building, forming a bay inside.
Beetle Infestation
The presence of wood-boring beetles that can damage structural timber.
Bitumen
A black, sticky substance used for waterproofing, similar to asphalt.
Blockwork
Construction using concrete blocks instead of bricks.
Block and Beam
A type of construction method used for building floors, where precast concrete beams are placed at regular intervals, and concrete blocks are laid between them to create a solid, level floor.
Bond
The pattern in which bricks are laid in a wall.
Cavity Wall
A wall consisting of two layers of masonry with a gap (cavity) between them. While cavity walls were used sparingly in early 20th-century builds, their adoption became standard practice in most new residential buildings across the UK from Post-World War II (1945 onwards).
Ceiling Joists
Horizontal timbers or beams that support a ceiling.
Cement
A powdery substance that, when mixed with water, forms a paste that hardens over time. Cement is a key ingredient in various building applications, providing strength and durability to structures.
Chimney Breast
The part of a chimney that projects into a room.
Cowl
A covering or cap placed on top of a chimney pot. Its primary purpose is to improve the chimney’s draft and prevent downdrafts, while also keeping out rain, birds, and debris.
Damp-Proof Course (DPC)
A barrier in a wall designed to prevent moisture from rising up from the ground.
Dormer Window
A window that projects vertically from a sloping roof.
Double Glazing
Windows that have two layers of glass with a sealed air or gas-filled space between them. This design improves insulation, reduces heat loss, minimizes condensation, and provides better soundproofing compared to single-glazed windows.
Dry Rot
A type of fungal decay that occurs in timber, causing it to become brittle and crumbly, often with a distinctive musty smell.
Eaves
The edge of a roof that extends beyond the walls of the building.
Fascia
The horizontal board running along the edge of a roof, often where the gutters are attached.
Flashing
Thin material, typically metal, used to prevent water from penetrating the joints of a roof.
French Drain
A trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe, used to redirect water away from an area to prevent flooding or waterlogging.
Gable
The triangular part of a wall that supports a pitched roof.
Guttering
The system of channels fixed along the edge of a roof that collects and directs rainwater away from the building. The water is typically channelled through downpipes, which carry it to drains or soakaways.
Gullies
Drainage components located at the base of downpipes. They collect rainwater from the roof and direct it into the underground drainage system. A gully often contains a trap to prevent odours from the drains from escaping back up the pipes.
Hairline Crack
A very thin, narrow crack in a surface, typically less than 1mm wide, often found in walls, ceilings, or concrete. Hairline cracks are usually minor and may result from natural settling or drying of materials.
Inspection
A thorough examination of a property to check for any issues or defects.
Joists
Horizontal beams that support floors or ceilings.
Lath and Plaster
Lath and plaster was the common practice for ceiling/wall construction up until the 1950s. Laths are thin timber planks nailed into the ceiling joists. Plaster was then applied to the laths and keyed into the crevices between planks.
Lintel
A horizontal support across the top of a door or window opening.
Mansard Roof
A roof style featuring two slopes on each side: a less steep pitch at the top and a very steep pitch on the sides. Sometimes the top is flat or nearly flat, and this roof type traditionally includes dormer windows.
Measuring Tools
Instruments such as tape measures and laser distance meters used to obtain precise measurements of spaces and dimensions.
Moisture Detector
A device used to measure moisture content in building materials to identify potential water damage.
Mortar
A mix of cement, sand, and water used to bond bricks or stones together.
Parapet
A low wall along the edge of a roof, balcony, or terrace.
Party Wall
A wall shared between two properties, typically in terraced or semi-detached houses.
Plasterboard
Also known as drywall or gypsum board, is a building material used to cover walls and ceilings. It consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of thick paper.
Property Assessment
Evaluating a property’s condition and value, often for legal, financial, or sale purposes.
Purlins
Horizontal beams that support the roof rafters.
Rafters
Sloping beams that support a roof.
Render
A layer of plaster or cement applied to the exterior or interior of a building.
Repointing
The process of renewing the outer portion of mortar joints in brickwork or stonework to prevent water ingress.
Ridge
The top line where two sides of a roof meet.
Rising Damp
Moisture from the ground that moves upward through a wall.
Sash Windows
A type of window commonly found in period properties, particularly in the UK. They consist of one or more movable panels, or “sashes,” that slide vertically or horizontally to open and close.
Settlement
The gradual sinking or movement of a building’s foundation, which can cause cracks and other structural issues.
Sill
The horizontal part at the base of a window or door, often sloping to shed water.
Skylight
A window installed in a roof to let in natural light.
Soffit
The underside of the roof overhang, usually visible from below.
Spalling
The chipping or flaking of brick, concrete, or stone surfaces, often due to water damage or freeze-thaw cycles.
Stud Wall
A lightweight, non-load-bearing wall made from a wooden or metal frame covered with plasterboard or drywall.
Subsidence
The sinking or settling of the ground beneath a building, which can cause structural damage.
Survey
A detailed inspection and evaluation of a property to determine its condition and any necessary repairs.
Timber Frame
A construction method using wooden beams as the primary structure of a building.
Valley
The internal angle formed where two roof slopes meet.
Verge
The edge of a roof that projects over the gable end of a building, often finished with tiles or slates.
Weep Holes
Small openings in a wall that allow water to drain out.
Woodworm
The term for an infestation of beetles that bore into wood, potentially weakening it.
