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Unfibered Gypsum

A neat gypsum. It has no additives.

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Union

A plumbing fitting that joins pipes end-to-end so they can be dismantled.

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Underground plumbing

The plumbing drain and waste lines that are installed beneath a basement floor.

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Uniform Load

Any load that is spread out evenly over a large area.

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Underlayment-

A Â¼" material placed over the subfloor plywood sheeting and under finish coverings, such as vinyl flooring, to provide a smooth, even surface. Also a secondary roofing layer that is waterproof or water-resistant, installed on the roof deck and beneath shingles or other roof-finishing layer.

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Undercoat

A coating applied prior to the finishing or top coats of a paint job. It may be the first of two or the second of three coats. Sometimes called the Prime coat.

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Under-Carpet Wiring

A flat, insulated electric wire that is run under the carpet.

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Underpinning

Placing a new foundation below the existing foundation.

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Unreinforced Concrete

Concrete placed without steel-reinforcing bars or welded-wire fabric.

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Underlayment

Sheet material, such as hardboard, that is laid over the subfloor to provide a smooth, stiff surface for the finish flooring.

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Utility easement

The area of the earth that has electric, gas, or telephone lines. These areas may be owned by the homeowner, but the utility company has the legal right to enter the area as necessary to repair or service the lines.

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Valence

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

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USASI

United States of America Standards Institute, now American National Standards Institute.

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Urea Formaldehyde (Formaldehyde (Added))

Formaldehyde is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the State of California as a known human carcinogen. Common health effects at low levels of exposure to this volatile organic compound include irritation and sensitization as well as acting as an asthma trigger. Long-term exposure is associated with nasal cancers and leukemia. https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources

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Upcycling

Materials are applied with respect for their intrinsic value and their useful afterlife in recycled or even "upcycled" products, which have value and technological sophistication that may be higher than that of their original use. Upcycling is any measure and activity in the design phase targeting at optimal handling of products as nutrients https://healthymaterialslab.org/tool-guides/hml-resources

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Vapor barrier

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.