Survey Jargon buster
Once you’ve received your completed survey, you may be unsure about what some of the more technical terms used actually mean. Here is a quick guide to some of the more common words and phrases used in Surveys – for a more comprehensive list please click here.
Architrave
A moulded wood strip covering the junction of a door frame and plaster or other wall finish.
Chimney breast
The part of a chimney below roof level normally projecting into rooms.
Damp-proof course
Often abbreviated as DPC. A layer of impermeable material built into a wall to prevent damp rising within it. Older DPCs are often of slates; more recently felt impregnated with bitumen; modern construction uses heavy duty polythene. A chemical DPC can be injected into an old wall, forming an impermeable layer within the masonry, although its efficiency varies with the type of construction. A vertical DPC required to keep a room below ground level dry is known as tanking. DPCs are also installed in other parts of a structure.
Flashing
Strips of (usually) lead fixed to waterproof a joint, eg between a roof and a wall, or the base of a chimney stack.
Strips of (usually) lead fixed to waterproof a joint, eg between a roof and a wall, or the base of a chimney stack.
Header tank
A small water staorage tank providing water to a central heating system. Also called feed/expansion tank.
Lintel
A beam, normally of timber, concrete, steel or stone, spanning a window or door opening.
Mansard roof
A roof with two slopes, steep to the lower and flater to the upper part. This is the way of providing additional accommodation in a rof space.
Rising Damp
Dampness originating in the ground and rising within a wall by capillary action, controlled by an effective damp-proof course.
Rot
Fungal growth which causes breakdown of the cellulose which gives strength to timber. Can be wet or dry rot.
RSJ
Rolled steel joist used to span openings.
Soffit
The underside of an arch or eaves.
Subsidence
Where the ground supporting the foundations moves causing damage to building.
Underpin
To strengthen foundations by placing concrete beneath them.
