Dictionary

BACK DRAFT to BX WIRING

Back Draft - The reverse flow of chimney gases (blowing back down the chimney) because of poor chimney design or weather conditions.

Back-up Sump Pump - A battery operated sump pump that operates if the main sump pump fails because of a malfunction or a power outage.

Band board - board attached to the ends of the floor joists around the outside of the structure.

Base Flashing - A portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck, to direct the flow of water onto the roof covering.

Beam - Any structural member can be wood or steel.

Backfill - Soil that is used to fill in between the foundation wall and the side of the trench that was dug to lay the foundation.

Balloon Framing - Method of wood frame construction used in older homes in which the studs extend as one-piece from the foundation to the roof.

Baseboard - A decorative molded board placed against the wall at floor level to cover the joint between the floor and the wall.

Baseboard Heater - A radiator mounted along the baseboard with openings at the top and bottom through which the air circulates. May be electric, or heated by hot water.

Based Course - The first row of bricks or blocks laid.

Basement - Lower store of a building below or party below ground.

Batten - Narrow strip of wood used to cover joints between boards or paneling.

Bay Window - A window that extends outside the main line or frame of the building.

Beam - Wood, steel or concrete member used to support a great weight.

Bearing Partition Wall - Partition wall that supports the area above. This type of wall can be removed without the structural integrity of the building being jeopardized.

Bearing Wall - Wall that supports the area above it. This type of wall cannot be removed without restructuring the areas above it.

Bevel Siding - Boards where one edge is tapered, slots under the board above it. Used for exterior siding.

Blind Nailing - Method of nailing so than nail heads are not visible on the face of the work.

Blisters - Bubbles that may appear on the surface of asphalt roofing after installation.

Board - Any finished lumber less than two inches thick and wider than four inches.

Brace - A diagonal framing member used in framing to stiffen the structure.

Branch Circuit - Is a circuit that comes off the main circuit.

Brands - Marks on a roof from airborne burning embers released from a fire.

Brick Molding - Wood trim piece used to cover the gap between window frames and the masonry.

Brick Veneer - Brick facing used as a covering, not load bearing. Attaches decoratively to the load bearing structure.

Bundle - A package of shingles. There are three, four or five bundles per square.

Building Paper - A felt or similar material usually used over the roof decking and under the shingles.

Built-up Roof - Roof covering composed of 3 or more layers of roofing felt and asphalt. Used on flat or low-pitched roofs.

Butt Edge - Lower edge of the tabs, on a shingle.

Butt-joint - Joint fastening two members together without any overlapping.

BX Wiring - Also called armored cable, the wiring is enclosed in flexible conduit type sheathing.

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