Construction Terms

Construction Terms- Y

Y- A “Y” shaped plumbing fitting.

Yard of concrete- One cubic yard of concrete is 3′ X 3′ X 3′ in volume, or 27 cubic feet.  One cubic yard of concrete will pour 80 square feet of 3 ½” sidewalk or basement/garage floor.

Yoke- The location where a home’s water meter is sometimes installed between two copper pipes, and located in the water meter pit in the yard.

                                   Construction Terms- Z

Z-bar flashing- Bent, galvanized metal flashing that’s installed above a horizontal trim board of an exterior window, door, or brick run. It prevents water from getting behind the trim/brick and into the home.

Zone- The section of a building that is served by one heating or cooling loop because it has noticeably distinct heating or cooling needs. Also, the section of property that will be watered from a lawn sprinkler system.

Zone valve- A device, usually placed near the heater or cooler, which controls the flow of water or steam to parts of the building; it is controlled by a zone thermostat.

Zoning- A governmental process and specification which limits the use of a property e.g. single family use, high rise residential use, industrial use, etc. Zoning laws may limit where you can locate a structure. Also see building codes.

Construction Terms

Construction Terms- W

Wafer board - A manufactured wood panel made out of 1″- 2″ wood chips and glue. Often used as a substitute for plywood in the exterior wall and roof sheathing.

Walk-Through- A final inspection of a home before “Closing” to look for and document problems that need to be corrected.

Wall out- When a painter pray paints the interior of a home.

Warping- Any distortion in a material.

Warranty- In construction there are two general types of warranties. One is provided by the manufacturer of a product such as roofing material or an appliance. The second is a warranty for the labour. For example, a roofing contract may include a 20 year material warranty and a 5 year labour warranty. Many new home builders provide a one year warranty. Any major issue found during the first year should be communicated to the builder immediately. Small items can be saved up and presented to the builder for correction periodically through the first year after closing.

Waste pipe and vent- Plumbing plastic pipe that carries waste water to the municipal sewage system.

Water board- Water resistant drywall to be used in tub and shower locations. Normally green or blue coloured

Water closet- Another name for toilet.

Water meter pit (or vault)- The box /cast iron bonnet and concrete rings that contains the water meter.

Water-repellent preservative- A liquid applied to wood to give the wood water repellent properties

Water table- The location of the underground water, and the vertical distance from the surface of the earth to this underground water.

Water tap- The connection point where the home water line connects to the main municipal water system.

W C- An abbreviation for water closet (toilet).

Weatherization- Work on a building exterior in order to reduce energy consumption for heating or cooling.  Work involving adding insulation, installing storm windows and doors, caulking cracks and putting on weather-stripping.

Weather strip- Narrow sections of thin metal or other material installed to prevent the infiltration of air and moisture around windows and doors.

Weep holes- Small holes in storm window frames that allow moisture to escape.

Whole house fan- A fan designed to move air through and out of a home and normally installed in the ceiling.

Wind bracing- Metal straps or wood blocks installed diagonally on the inside of a wall from bottom to top plate, to prevent the wall from twisting, racking, or falling over “domino” fashion.

Window buck- Square or rectangular box that is installed within a concrete foundation or block wall. A window will eventually be installed in this “buck” during the siding stage of construction

Window frame- The stationary part of a window unit; window sash fits into the window frame.

Window sash- The operating or movable part of a window; the sash is made of window panes and their  border.

Wire nut- A plastic device used to connect bare wires together.

Wonder board ™- A panel made out of concrete and fibre glass usually used as a ceramic tile backing material. Commonly used on bathtub decks.

Wrapped drywall- Areas that get complete drywall covering, as in the doorway openings of bifold and bi pass closet doors.