A Glossary Of Clarified Home Inspection Terms
Every industry has its own language and terms. These words and phrases can be confusing to anyone who is not part of the daily operations of a specific sector, and the home inspection business is no exception.
To help you understand the terms, acronyms, and phrases regularly used when working with a home inspector, True Blue Home Inspections has created this handy reference guide. Here you’ll find valuable information to comprehend and communicate your home inspection needs effectively.
A lamp
Typically, an inspector will refer to a light bulb as a lamp. However, what most people consider a lamp is a light fixture.
An outlet
Any terminal point in the house where electricity can be used, including light fixtures and receptacles. A receptacle is an outlet that can have an appliance temporarily plugged into it.
Kitchen appliances
These appliances serve some function in food storage or processing. Water appliances are sinks, toilets, and machines (e.g., dish and clothes washers) that use water to perform their task.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
This type of receptacle is required near all water appliances. It’s designed to quickly turn off if the wattage exceeds to a dangerous level.
Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)
It’s a particular type of circuit breaker designed to serve bedrooms and prevent electrocution by short circuits.
Fallen stone
It’s a thin veneer of a real stone that is applied to an exterior wall to present the look of natural stone blocks.
Dead load
It’s the weight of an empty house. The structure should be able to hold itself up.
Live load
It’s the weight of a house after furnishing and having other items installed. The structure of the house should be able to carry this load. Heavy furnishings (e.g., bookcases) should be set near a wall where the load is best carried through the floor to the structure below.
Point load
It’s the structural design of the house to carry its dead and live loads down to the foundation without excessive strain on any single framing member.
We hope these terms made you feel more confident to communicate with a home inspector.
If you’re looking for a licensed, insured, and certified home inspector, reach out to the experts at True Blue Home Inspections.
With many years of experience in the home inspection sector, we render attention to detail and use state-of-the-art equipment, bringing clients peace of mind. We specialize in home buyer inspections, home seller pre-listing inspections/ consultations, indoor air quality, and commercial lite. We offer our services across the entire Chicago land area.
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