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salvage
The recovery (monetary) value of a damaged component or item.
sanitary water
Potable water from a broken water (pipe) line.
sanitize
Readily clean, not 100% disinfected.
saturation
Equilibrium, 100% relative humidity, when an object or the air
cannot retain any more water (moisture).
scissors truss
A roof truss constructed of wood in a web shape to extend the load
from the bottom of the truss to its upper members.
scope
Terminology used to describe the process of viewing or observing the
inside of ductwork, chimney chases, etc.
scope of work
Ones views of the extent of damages and treatments needed to make
the appropriate repairs.
score
To notch or make an incision
sealer
A pigment paint containing stain blockers to prevent the bleeding of
oxidized surfaces.
secondary damages
(1) Corrosion, rust, mold, mildew, fungi, odor, etc. caused by the
primary damages of a loss. (2) As a result from the improper
calculation of the dew point and temperature when drying out a
structure.
seepage
The slow process of water passage into a structure.
selective demolition
The removal of selective building components in a manner where they
can be re-installed; non-destructive.
settling
(1) The shrinking or dislodging of a support. (2) The lowering of a
structure due to its load or soil conditions.
sewage
A liquid waste containing animal, plant and/or chemical matter.
sheetrock
See drywall.
shore
The temporary support of a structural member.
sizing
Glutinous material used to fill pores in surfaces or to stiffen
fabrics.
smoke residue
A gases product of combustion made visible by carbon particles.
smoke stain
The discoloration and texture change caused from the oxidation of
combustible matter.
sodium chloride
NaCl, salt.
sodium hypochlorite
NaClO, chlorine bleach.
soil
(1) Earth, dirt. (2) An organic matter as embedded in a synthetic
carpet that mold and fungi can grow on.
sole plate
The bottom plate of a framed wall or partition.
solubility product
Type of equilibrium where a concentration of all ions are raised to
the appropriate power.
solute
Any substance that is dissolved in a solution.
solution
Mixture, two or more substances.
solvent
A substance readily dissolved in a liquid.
soot
Fine particles formed from the incomplete combustion of fuels, can
be powdery, oily or tarry based on the fuel source.
source odors
Odors as related to the peril; sewage, etc.
specifications
The written requirements for materials, systems and workmanship in
the construction of a building.
spores
A small specialized structure that can grow into an organism, the
dormant state of molds.
sporicide
An agent used to destroy (kill) bacteria and fungi.
statute of limitation
The time frame that legal action can be brought forward for damages
or injury.
steam cleaning
The process of using pressurized steam to remove dirt and grease.
steel studs
Galvanized formed steel, used in lieu of wood to construct
structural walls and partitions, available in varying widths and
gauges, generally used in commercial and institutional facilities
for its non-flammability.
sterilization
The process of making sterile, the complete removal of all
contaminates.
stress
crack
(1) Cracks in plaster and drywall caused by
heat expansion
or
moisture expansion.
(2) Cracks in plaster and drywall caused by building stress due to
expansion and contraction.
stringer
A diagonal timber used to support stair risers.
structural steel
Steel formed in varying shapes I-beam, etc. to withstand the live
and dead loads of a structure.
stucco
Cement plaster, as used as an exterior surface coating on buildings.
subcontractor
A person or company who has a contract with the contractor for a
portion of a projects work.
subfloor
The underlying flooring used to support the finished floor, can be
used as a structural support for lateral loads.
subrogation
To put in place of another, as an insurance companies right to
recover loss value in the policyholder(s) name.
subro-spoliation
To disturb or spoil the evidence of an item or item(s) of
subrogation potential, to destroy the evidence.
substrate
The underlying materials that support the materials on the surface.
subsurface drying
The process of forcing air or negative air pressure to dry out the
underlying member.
sulfur
NO2, a constituent of proteins.
sulfur dioxide
SO2, the decomposition of sulfur, corrosive.
sundry
Miscellaneous items needed for a complete installation; nuts, bolts,
etc.
supplement
Additional items missed or hidden when preparing the original
estimate.
suspended ceiling
A ceiling system consisting of T-framed members as hung from the
structure with wires to carry ceiling tile, light fixtures,
diffusers, drywall etc.
