An inspection carried out for the benefit of the mortgage lender to ascertain if a property is a good security for a loan.

Sheet metal that lays in the "V" area of a roof valley.

The points on an atom to which valences of other elements can bond.

A building product installed on exterior walls and ceilings under the drywall and on the warm side of the insulation. It is used to retard the movement of water vapor into walls and prevent condensation within them. Normally, polyethylene plastic sheeting is used.

- The fee paid by the prospective borrower for the lender's inspection of the property. Normally paid upon loan application.

The "V" shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet. Water drains off the roof at the valleys. The intersection of two inclined surfaces.

A gypsum board product designed to serve as the base for the application of gypsum veneer plaster.

The liquid portion of a paint composed mainly of solvents, resins, or oils.

Extremely thin sheets of wood. Also a thin slice of wood or brick or stone covering a framed wall. A thin sheet of material used to cover another surface.

Carpet formed by joining the pile, stuffer, and weft yarns with double warp yarns.

Calcined gypsum plaster specially formulated to provide specific workability, strength, hardness and abrasion resistance characteristics when applied in thin coats (1/16" to 3/32" nom.) over veneer gypsum base or other approved base. The term thin coat plaster is sometimes used in reference to veneer plaster.

Material used to slow the flow of water vapor through walls and other spaces where this vapor may condense at a lower temperature.

That part of the soil stack above the highest vent branch.

A thin sheet of material used to cover another surface.

An interest rate that will vary over the term of the loan.

A pipe or duct which allows the flow of air and gasses to the outside. Also, another word for the moving glass part of a window sash, i.e. window vent.

Pipes permitting the waste system to operate under atmospheric pressure. They allow air to enter and leave the system, preventing water in the traps from being siphoned off. If this occurs, sewer gases can enter the building.

The tendency of one part of a member to move vertically in relationship to the adjacent part.

Compounds released to the atmosphere as a coating dries.

Cardboard rectangular boxes that are installed between the earth (between caissons) and the concrete foundation wall. Used when expansive soils are present.