Word | Definition |
Valley | The "V" shaped area of a roof where two sloping roofs meet. Water drains off the roof at the valleys. |
Valley flashing | Sheet metal that lays in the "V" area of a roof valley. |
Valuation | An inspection carried out for the benefit of the mortgage lender to ascertain if a property is a good security for a loan. |
Valuation fee | The fee paid by the prospective borrower for the lender's inspection of the property. Normally paid upon loan application. |
Valve | A device to stop, start or regulate the flow of liquid or gas through or from piping. |
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. |
Variable rate | An interest rate that will vary over the term of the loan. |
Veneer | Extremely thin sheets of wood. Also a thin slice of wood or brick or stone covering a framed wall. |
Vent | A pipe or duct which allows the flow of air and gasses to the outside. Also, another word for the moving glass part of a window sash, i.e. window vent. |
Vent Stack | A vertical vent pipe installed for the purpose of providing circulation of air to and from any part of a drainage system. |
Vent System | In plumbing, a system to provide a flow of air to or from a drainage system or to provide circulation of air within such system to protect traps seals from siphonage and back pressure. |
Ventilator | Device installed on the roof for the purpose of ventilating the interior of the building. |
Vermiculite | A mineral used as bulk insulation and also as aggregate in insulating and acoustical plaster and in insulating concrete floors. |
Veterans Administration (VA) | A federal agency that insures mortgage loans with very liberal down payment requirements for honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses. |
Viscosity | The internal frictional resistance offered by a fluid to change of shape or to the relative motion or flow of its parts. |
Visible Light Transmittance | The percentage of visible light (390 to 770) nanometers) within the solar spectrum that is transmitted through glass. |
Visqueen | A 4 mil or 6 mil plastic sheeting. |
Void | Cardboard rectangular boxes that are installed between the earth (between caissons) and the concrete foundation wall. Used when expansive soils are present. |
Voltage | A measure of electrical potential. Most homes are wired with 110 and 220 volt lines. The 110 volt power is used for lighting and most of the other circuits. The 220 volt power is usually used for the kitchen range, hot water heater and dryer. |
Voltmeter | measures the voltage flowing through a circuit. The circuit must be closed to allow the voltage to flow. |
