Home Inspection Terms – Glossary – Gable Roof to Gypsum Board
Gable:
A gable is the upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.
Gable Roof:
A gable roof is a double-sloped roof from the ridge to the eaves; the end section appears as an inverted V.
Gable Stud: A stud which is a component of the framing of the gable end of the framing of the gable end of a structure.
Gambrel Roof: A type of roof containing two sloping planes of different pitch on each side of the ridge. The lower plane has a steeper slope than the upper. Contains a gable at each end.
Garbage Disposal: An electrical appliance, usually installed in a sink, which reduces garbage to small particles which may be disposed of by washing down the drain.
Garden Apartments: An apartment development of two- or three-story, walk up structures built in a garden-like setting; customarily a suburban or rural-urban fringe development.
Gasket: Material (often rubber) that is installed between two parts to make a joint leak proof.
GFCI: (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) An electrical mechanism usually located in a receptacle box or at the main service panel. Measures voltage differential between the hot wire and neutral wire. When a differential is detected, the receptacle or breaker is shut off.
GFI: (Ground Fault Interrupter) A safety device used on electrical outlets on exterior outlets on exterior walls, near pools, kitchens and bathrooms to prevent electrical shock.
Gingerbread Work: A term used to describe the excessive use of ornamentation in architecture, especially of a house.
Girder: The main structural support beam in a wood-framed floor. The girder supports one end of each joist.
Glass Wool Insulation: Material made of glass fibers, usually in the form of blankets wrapped in heavy asphalt-treated or vapor-barrier paper.
Glazier’s Points:
Glazier’s points are small metal pieces used to hold a glass pane in a window sash until putty is applied.
Good: In above-average condition given its age and function, showing less than normal sign of wear and/or usage.
Grade: The ground level existing at the outside walls of a building or elsewhere on a building site.
Grade (Finish Grade): A reference plane representing the average finished ground level adjoining a structure.
Grade (Lumber Grade): The designation of the quality of a manufactured piece of wood.
Grade (Natural Grade): A reference plane representing the undisturbed natural ground level adjoining or around a structure.
Grading: A sloping of the grounds immediately adjacent to a building. Proper grading causes water to flow away from a structure. Grading can be accomplished either with machinery or by hand.
Granules: Ceramic, color-coated crushed rock that is applied to the exposed surface of asphalt roofing products.
Graphite: Fine black lubricating powder used dry or mixed with oil.
Gray Water: Waste water not containing sewage or fecal matter or food wastes. Waste water from bathing and laundry is gray water. Wastes from garbage disposal and toilets is not.
Grain: The direction, size, arrangement, appearance or quality of the fibers in wood.
Green Lumber: Lumber which has not been dried or seasoned
Ground: To connect any part of an electrical wiring system to a ground, either a cold water pipe or a long metal rod driven solidly into the soil, to keep metal parts of wiring system at zero volts.
Ground Beam: In construction, a horizontal member of iron, steel or stone that is located on or near the ground and used to support the superstructure and distribute its load.
Ground Floor: The floor of a building that is approximately level with the ground.
Grout: A thin, fluid mortar used to fill small joints and cavities in masonry work.
Gutter: The trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts.
Gypsum Board:
Gypsum board is a large panel composed of a fire-resistant gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper and used as a finish for walls and ceilings or as a backing for other wall and ceiling material.
