Water damage terms
These terms show up in mitigation estimates, insurance notes, and drying reports.
- mitigation: cleanup and drying before rebuild
- remediation: removal or treatment of contamination
- gray water: water with some contamination risk
- black water: sewage or floodwater risk
- dry standard: target moisture level after drying
Foundation terms
These terms show up in repair proposals, engineer letters, and crawl space inspections.
- pier: deep support for settlement
- joist: floor framing member
- sill plate: wood at the top of a foundation wall
- hydrostatic pressure: water pressure against walls
- efflorescence: white mineral residue from moisture
Crawl space terms
These terms help separate moisture control, structural repair, and air-quality concerns.
- vapor barrier: ground moisture cover
- encapsulation: sealed crawl space system
- dehumidifier: humidity control equipment
- subfloor: floor layer above joists
- negative grading: soil sloping toward the home
Note
Definitions are simplified for homeowner planning.
