Glossary
Home Repair Glossary: Plain-English Terms
Words you will hear from a handyman, explained simply.
Call us today615-431-3789- Honey-do list
- A running list of small jobs around the house.
- Punch list
- A list of small items left to finish or fix at the end of a project.
- Scope of work
- A written description of what a job includes and what it does not.
- Shim
- A thin wedge used to level, support or fit doors, windows and cabinets.
- Stud
- A vertical framing member inside a wall, and the strongest place to fasten into.
- Joist
- A horizontal framing member that supports a floor or ceiling.
- Drywall
- Gypsum panels that form most interior walls and ceilings.
- Joint compound
- The paste used to cover drywall seams, screws and patches.
- Feathering
- Spreading compound or paint out in thin, widening layers so a repair blends in.
- Primer
- A base coat that helps paint stick and look even and blocks stains.
- Sheen
- How glossy a paint finish is, from flat to high gloss.
- Caulk
- A flexible sealant used to close gaps and joints.
- Grout
- The material that fills the joints between tiles.
- Weatherstripping
- Material that seals the gap around a door or window.
- Strike plate
- The metal plate on a door frame that the latch or bolt goes into.
- Hinge
- The pivot that lets a door swing, and a common cause of sticking.
- Flapper
- The rubber seal at the bottom of a toilet tank that lets water into the bowl when you flush.
- Fill valve
- The valve that refills a toilet tank after a flush and shuts off when it is full.
- Cartridge
- The replaceable part inside many faucets that controls water flow.
- Supply line
- The flexible hose that carries water from a shutoff valve to a faucet or toilet.
- Shutoff valve
- A small valve that stops water to one fixture so it can be repaired.
- GFCI
- An outlet or breaker that cuts power quickly if it senses a ground fault, used near water.
- Receptacle
- The proper name for a wall outlet.
- Wire connector
- A small cap that joins electrical wires safely.
- Baluster
- The vertical spindles between a handrail and the steps or floor.
- Newel post
- The main post at the bottom or turn of a staircase.
- Tread and riser
- The flat part of a step you walk on, and the vertical part below it.
- Ledger
- The board that attaches a deck frame to the house.
- Fascia
- The board along the edge of a roof that the gutter hangs on.
- Soffit
- The underside of a roof overhang.
- Flashing
- Metal or membrane that directs water away from joints and openings.
- Glazing putty
- The soft compound that holds a pane of glass in an old wood window.
- Sash
- The movable frame of a window that holds the glass.
- Trim-head screw
- A small-headed screw that drives flush and can be hidden with filler.
- Toggle bolt
- A fastener with spring-loaded wings that grips behind hollow walls.
- Backer rod
- Foam rope pushed into a wide gap so caulk has something to bridge.
- Rot
- Wood decay caused by fungus that thrives in damp conditions.
- Pressure treated
- Lumber infused with preservatives to resist rot and insects.
Can you match my existing paint and trim?
We match color, sheen and profile as closely as we can, and we usually repaint the whole wall section so a patch cannot show. In older houses we match trim profiles where possible.
Do you protect my home while you work?
Yes. We cover floors and furniture, contain dust, wipe down when we finish and haul away debris.
Do you work on rentals and commercial spaces?
Yes. We handle turnovers, punch lists, common areas, storefronts and small commercial repairs, and we schedule around tenants and business hours.
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Send a list, a photo or just a description, and we will get back to you quickly with a plan and a free estimate. Prefer to talk? Call 615-431-3789.
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Nashville House Repair is a handyman and home repair company serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee: fixes, installs, patches, paint, carpentry, decks, fences and the long honey-do list.
- 615-431-3789
- Free estimates for every project
- Serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee