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Jargon Busting Glossary

Moving made easy: Your one-stop glossary for home buyers

Congratulations on taking the exciting step towards homeownership! We know the process can involve unfamiliar terms and raise questions. This glossary is here to be your handy reference guide, translating complex terms into clear and concise explanations.

Whether you're wondering about "damp" in the basement or the infamous "Japanese Knotweed," we've got you covered. This glossary will be continuously updated to ensure you have all the information you need for a smooth and informed home buying journey.

So, dive in, explore the terms, and feel empowered to ask questions!

Glossary and FAQs

Ridge

The apex (top) of the roof.


Hip

The diagonal join between abutting roof slopes.


Gable

A tall triangular outer wall.


Flank

The expose wall to the side of a structure.


Valley

The diagonal gutter between abutting roof slopes.


Fascia Board

The board which the gutters are attached too.


Soffit Board

The board which closes the void between the fascia board, and the structure.


Purlin

The long horizontal support beams to support the roof structure.


Strut

The diagonal timber support to the purlin within the roof structure.


Cavity Wall

An inner and outer skin of brick/blockwork, separated by an air void (cavity). These walls can also have insulation placed in the void.


Lintel

The support beam over a window or door opening.


Damp Proof Course

Since 1875 there is a legal requirement for properties to have a physical water barrier to stop ground water entering the structure.

This is usually a thick black impermeable membrane between two courses of bricks, just above ground level, running around the whole building. This single item keeps rising damp from occurring.


Combination Boiler

This provides space heating (central heating to, commonly, radiators) as well as instant hot water to the tap outlets, therefore the system is “combined”.

'Combi' boliers remove the need to have an insulated hot water cylinder.


Open Vented Boiler

This system heats water which is pumped around the property via pipework and radiator system to provide space heating only.


Open vented hot water

A cylinder which stores water within and is heated, ready to come through the water outlets when taps are opened.

The hot water is either heated through an electric immersion heater or via a hot-water spur, with a three-way valve, from the central heating boiler.


Three-way valve

A three-way valve is used to allow a, normally, gas boiler to heat both the hot water and the central heating. The three positions are:

  1. Hot water only (useful in the summer)
  2. Central Heating only
  3. Heating and hot water

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  • 9-15 St James' House
  • St James' Road
  • Surbiton
  • Surrey
  • United Kingdom
  • KT6 4QH
  • 39-43 Monument Hill
  • Belgrave House
  • Weybridge
  • Surrey
  • United Kingdom
  • KT13 8RN
Landview Surveyors is a RICS Regulated company offering Building Surveys, Homebuyer Reports and Valuations across much of England.
Operating from our base in Surbiton and in regional offices we have surveyors in London, the Home Counties, Essex, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol.