SimplifyDIY Glossary: B
Back-siphoning
Back-flow of water through a plumbing system due to the mains water pressure failing. This can lead to pollution of the water tank.
Balanced flue
Common metal device normally serving gas appliances which allows air to be drawn to the appliance whilst also allowing fumes to escape.
Ballast
A mixture of sand and gravel that is sometimes used as an aggregate in making concrete.
Baluster
A post or vertical pillar supporting a hand rail or parapet rail.
Balustrade
A collective name for a row of balusters or other infilling below a hand rail on a stair or parapet.
Banister
Handrail attached to the side of a staircase.
Barge board
A wooden board placed at the end of roof timbers to protect them from rain; also known as "Verge Board".
Bathroom Planner
Allows you to select bathroom furniture into a virtual aerial plan of your bathroom.
Bathroom Vanity
Comprises of a bathroom sink surrounded by storage furniture.
Banjo unit
A combined waste and overflow unit.
Base coat
A flat coat of paint over which a layer of glaze is applied.
Batten
A narrow strip of wood, usually fixed to a wall to act as a support for a unit or shelving.
Beading
A narrow length of wood that is moulded to have a patterned surface with a flat underside. Used to hold panes or glass in place or to create a decorative finish.
Beetle infestation
Wood boring insects e.g. woodworm. Larvae of various species of beetle can tunnel into timber causing damage. Specialist treatment normally required. Can also affect furniture.
Benching
Shaped concrete slope beside drainage channel within an inspection chamber. Also known as "haunching".
Bevel
Any angle at which two pieces of wood meet, other than a right angle.
Bib tap
A tap supplied by horizontal pipes.
Bitumen
Black, sticky substance, similar to asphalt. Used in sealants, mineral felts and damp-proof courses.
Blown
Refers either to a plaster or cement surface that has loosened from its substrate, or a fuse that has broken its circuit due to overloading.
Bond
The regular arrangements of bricks or stones in a wall so that the units may be joined together. The principal types of "bond" used in domestic construction being English, Flemish, header, stretcher, diagonal or garden watt bond.
Bore
The hollow part of a pipe or to drill a hole.
Breeze block
Originally made from clinker cinders or ("breeze") - the term now commonly but incorrectly used to refer to various types of concrete and cement building blocks.
Brick
Facing bricks have good finishes and are used for visible exterior parts of a building; common bricks are cheaper and less attractive to be used underground or behind plaster.
Building line
A length of string stretched and suspended between two points, used as a marker for building works.
Building Regulations
According to the Building Act 1984, these laws govern the layout and materials used for building works to ensure strength, durability, health and safety.
Burr
The rough edge left behind afer cutting a length of wood or pipe.
Butt joint
A simple joint where two pieces of wood are fixed together with no interlocking parts cut in them.
Buttercoat
The finishing layer of a cement render.
Buttress
A vertical column, usually built of bricks, which strengthens a wall. Also known as a "pier".
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