SimplifyDIY Glossary: C
Cam and stud fixing
A simple fixing used in flat-pack construction.
Came
A strip of lead with a central groove that holds glass in a leaded light or stained glass window.
Cap-nut
A nut used to tighten a fitting onto pipework.
Carbonation
A natural process affecting the outer layer of concrete. Metal reinforcement within that layer is liable to early corrosion, with consequent fracturing of the concrete in some cases.
Casement window
A window composed of hinged, pivoted or fixed sashes.
Casing
The timber or concrete surround of a door or window opening.
Cavity wall
Traditional modern method of building external walls of houses comprising two leaves of brick or blockwork usually separated by an air space ("cavity") of about 50mm.
Cavity wall insulation
Filling of wall cavities by one of various forms of insulation material
Beads:Polystyrene beads pumped into the cavities. Will easily fall out if the wall is broken open for any reason.
Foam: Urea formaldehyde foam, mixed on site, and then pumped into the cavities where it sets. Can lead to problems of dampness and make replacement of wall-ties more difficult.
Fibreglass: Mineral fibre pumped into the cavity.
Cavity wall tie
A twisted piece of metal or similar material embedded into the inner and outer leaves of cavity walls to strengthen the wall. Failure by corrosion can result in the wall becoming unstable - specialist replacement ties are then required.
Cesspool
A simple method of drain comprising a holding tank which needs frequent emptying. Not to be confused with "septic tank".
Chalk line
A length of string covered with coloured chalk and used to mark straight lines on walls, floors and ceilings.
Chamfer
A flat, narrow surface along the edge of a workpiece, usually at a 45 degree angle to any adjacent surfaces. Also, to plane an angled corner.
Chase
A groove cut in masonry or plaster for electrical cabling or pipework; to cut such grooves.
Chipboard
Often referred to as "particle board". Chips of wood compressed and glued into sheet form. Cheap method of covering flat roofs and floors and often covered with Formica or melamine to construct cheap furniture, especially kitchen units.
Circuit
A continuous path of electrical conductors through which an electric current flows.
Circuit breaker
A type of 'fuse' in a consumer unit that protects an electrical circuit. If the circuit undergoes overloading or has a fault, the circuit breaker will 'trip' to shut off the power to the circuit. Unlike old fashioned fuses, circuit breakers can simply be switched back on when the fault has been rectified. Also known as miniature circuit breakers (MCBs).
Cistern
A tank for storing water; found either as part of a toilet or located in the loft.
Cleaning eye
Sometimes known as an 'access eye' or 'rodding eye'. An opening in a drain or ventilation pipe, covered by a plate, the removal of which allows the drain to be rodded to clear blockages.
Cleanstone
A type of grit- and dust-free aggregate, used for laying drains.
Cleat
A cable fixing.
Clicker Basin Waste
Brass plug which is pressed when you want to drain the water from the basin. No chain necessary.
Closed Coupled Toilet
Where the cistern sits on top of the toilet pan.
Cob
Walling of damp earth sometimes mixed with cement, rammed without reinforcement into a formwork. This cheap method of walling has in the past been practiced mainly in East Anglia and the West of England.
Collar Beam
A horizontal tie beam of a roof, which is joined to opposing rafters at a level above that of the wall plates.
Collar
Horizontal timber member designed to restrain opposing roof slopes. Absence, removal or weakening can lead to roof spread.
Combination boiler
Modern form of gas boiler which activates on demand usually within a pressurised system. With this form of boiler there is no need for water storage tanks, hot water cylinders etc.
Concealed Cistern
Hides the Cistern part of the toilet system using removable fascias. Ideal for fitted bathroom furniture.
Conductor
A component, usually a length of wire, along which an electric current will pass.
Consumer unit
The point where the mains electricity supply is divided up for distribution around the property, via the various circuits. This box contains all the fuses or MCBs that protect the individual circuits in the house. The main on-off switch is located here, enabling you to isolate the power supply to the whole house.
Control joint
Resists cracking caused by movement, expansion or contraction in an exterior concrete wall or path. In a wall, it consists of a continuous vertical column of unmortared joints; in a path, a control joint is a strip of flexible fibreboard inserted into the concrete at intervals.
Coping
Usually stone or concrete, laid on top of a wall as a decorative finish and designed to stop rainwater soaking into the wall.
Corbel
Projection of stone, brick, timber or metal jutting out from a wall to support a weight above it.
CORGI
The Council for Registered Gas Installers. Only registered individuals may undertake any work on gas pipes or install gas appliances such as cookers, boilers and fires.
Corner Solutions
Offers a range of ways to maximise the corner wall space in your bathroom.
Cornice
A large moulding at the junction between an inside wall and a ceiling. Can also include a moulding at the top of an outside wall designed to project and throw raindrops clear of the wall.
Cornice Lighting
A light that protrudes from the top of a fixture such as bathroom mirror, kitchen cabinet or picture rail.
Counterbore
A tapered recess that allows the head of a screw or bolt to lie below a surface; also to cut such a recess.
Countersink
To cut a tapered recess that allows the head of a screw or bolt to lie flush with a surface.
Coving
Curved junction between wall and ceiling.Traditionally made of plaster, but now also made in polystyrene.
Cup
To bend as a result of shrinkage; usually referred to as across the length of a piece of wood.
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