construction dictionary

PM 1 like: Preventive Maintenance

PMI 0 likes: Private Mortgage Insurance

Pneumatic Concrete 0 likes: Concrete that is poured from equipment power-driven by compressed air

Pneumatic Hoist 1 like: Hoisting system that works with compressed air

Pneumatic System 1 like: Mechanical equipment that is power-driven by compressed air

Pneumatic Tool 1 like: A tool that is power-driven by compressed air

Pneumatic Tube System 1 like: A system of tubes in a building or building complex wherein message capsules are sent via compressed air

Pneumatically Driven Fastener 1 like: Pin or threaded stud that uses compressed air to penetrate material

Pneumatics 0 likes: The study of compressible gases and air, their characteristics, and how they react when contained

POA Valve 1 like: See Pressure-Operated Altitude Valve

Poch 0 likes: A technique used by drafters to allow for better understanding and readability of their drawings; sections are shaded such as the walls on floor plans or elevations

Pock Marks 0 likes: Craters; pits; Surface flaws in gypsum board that appear as small depressions; frequently resulting from small gravel or dirt which depressed the surface of paper

Pocket, Pitch 0 likes: See Pitch Pocket

Point 1 like: Geometric unit that does not have a dimension; One tuft of pile in a carpet; A sharp tip of a tool

Point of Inflection 0 likes: The point in a structural element at which the bending moment shifts from positive to negative

Point Weight 0 likes: See Felt Mill Ream

Pointing 0 likes: The process of troweling mortar into a joint after laying the masonry units; The process of adding mortar into the joints of brickwork or other masonry units in order to fill holes or other gaps left during the original work

Pointing Trowel 1 like: A mason‘s tool used for pointing bricks and stone

Points 0 likes: A fee that is levied for making a loan; each point equals one per cent of the total loan amount

Polarity 1 like: The property of having two poles that have opposing qualities; A positive or negative electrical state

Polarized Plug 2 likes: An electric plug which has prongs arranged specifically so that it is only possible to plug something in correctly

Polarizing 1 like: A method for distinguishing electrical wires by certain colors; a way of ensuring that hot wires are only connected to hot wires and that neutral wires run back to the ground terminals in continuous circuits

Polder 0 likes: An area of low land that was reclaimed from the sea

Pole 0 likes: A stake; Opposing points on the axis of a sphere; An electric cell has two poles or terminals, battery or dynamo; A guidance point; The apex of an angle co-ordinate

Pole-Gun 1 like: Spray gun that has an extension tube

Pole, Closet 2 likes: See Closet Pole

Pole, Electric 1 like: See Electric Pole

Pole, Utility 0 likes: See Utility Pole

Police Equipment 0 likes: Paraphernalia used by law enforcement workers to perform their duties

Police Power 1 like: The power that of a state to control its citizens and property in the interests of the security, health, and welfare for all citizens

Police Station 0 likes: A building where police officers work

Polish 1 like: To rub a material to make it smooth and shiny; To trowel a plaster finish coat to make it smooth and shiny

Polished Plate Glass 1 like: Glass that is ¼ inch or thicker; produced by grinding and polishing both sides

Pollution 0 likes: Contamination of the environment by toxic or harmful substances

Polyamide 0 likes: Product used to produce paint that does not drip; see thixotropic paint

Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) 0 likes: Toxic environmental pollutant that is employed in electrical transformers

Polychromatic 0 likes: Many colors

Polychrome Finish 0 likes: Finish that is produced by blending many colors

Polyester Floor 2 likes: Flooring material that is made from a synthetic resin which polymerizes during the curing process; has adhesive properties, chemically resistant and strong

Polyethylene 0 likes: Plastic sheeting; an ethylene polymer; a thermoplastic which can be employed in insulation and packaging

Polyethylene Pipe 1 like: Pipe that is made from a thermoplastic, organic compound

Polyethylene Vapor Barrier 1 like: A thermoplastic membrane sheet employed as protection, and to stop air or moisture from passing through

Polyethylene Wrap 1 like: A sheet form thermoplastic organic compound that protects concrete during curing and can be used as a temporary arena for various construction purposes

Polygon 1 like: A figure that has at least three sides

Polymer 0 likes: A compound that is made up of one or more large molecules which are formed from recurring units of smaller molecules

Polymeric 0 likes: Made from recurring chemical units, such as plastics and polymers

Polymerization 0 likes: A chemical process in which two or more smaller molecules join to form larger molecules made up of repeating elements of the original molecules

Polyphase Motor 1 like: Electrical motor employed with a three- or four-phase circuit

Polypropylene 0 likes: See Olefin

Polypropylene Pipe 1 like: A strong plastic pipe that is resistant to heat and chemicals

Polypropylene Plastics 0 likes: Plastics that are based on polymers where basically the sole monomer is propylene

Polystyrene 1 like: A plastic that is based on a resin which is made by polymerization with styrene as the sole monomer; a plastic foam board that is employed for insulation

Polyurethane 1 like: Polymers that contain urethane, employed in plastics, foams, paints, rubbers and adhesives; Different types of polymers employed in flexible and rigid foams, resins and elastomers

Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA) 0 likes: A synthetic resin that is widely used in water paints; White woodworking glue

Polyvinyl Acetate Latex (PVA Latex) 0 likes: Latex that is largely made up of vinyl acetate

Polyvinyl Butyral 1 like: Plastic film that serves as a layer between two layers of laminated glass

Polyvinyl Chloride 1 like: A strong transparent and solid polymer used for pipes, flooring, fittings as well as many plastic products; A synthetic resin that is used in fluid bed coatings and solvent type coatings; PVC can also be used in water paints

Pond 0 likes: A very small lake; The surface of a roof which is not totally drained

Ponded Roof 1 like: Flat roof that is designed to hold water which then functions to cool the building below

Ponding 0 likes: Static water puddles on a roof typically because of poor drain systems or deck deflection; also called Birdbaths; Water puddles that collect on concrete paving or asphalt, typically a result of uneven finishing or inadequate sloping

Pool 1 like: A body of water; or bath, hot tub, hydro, pond, lido, spa, splasher, and thermae, bath house, and pool house

Pool Cover 2 likes: Made of materials such as UV-stabilized polyethylene, polypropylene, or vinyl. They are transparent or opaque, and come in different colors.

Pool Depths 0 likes: The distance from the floor of a pool to the highest water level

Pool Enclosure Kit 1 like: Resource to cover a pool.

Pool Equipment 1 like: Supplies and apparatus that are used to maintain and operate a pool

Pool Filter (without valve)1 like: A Swimming Pool filter is defined by the medium inside the filter tank that provides filtration and there are three types – sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth.

Pool Heater 1 like: A pool heater is used to increase the temperature of swimming pools leverage their value and extend the swimming season.

Pool Heater (Electronic Propane)2 likes: The electronic ignition is a modern option for a pool heater. These pool heaters require an electrical hook up. The ignition turns on and off the pilot light when needed and does not attract pests.

Pool Heater (Solar)1 like: Heat radiation from the sun collected by heat-absorbing panels through which water is circulated used for heating swimming pools.

Pool Ladder 1 like: A ladder that is employed to get in and out of a swimming pool

Pool Light 1 like: A light installed on the wall of a pool to increase visibility at night

Pool Liner 1 like: Waterproof layer that lines the inside of a pool; generally made of flexible vinyl

Pool Plumbing 0 likes: Plumbing pipes, valves, and fixtures that carry or use water and chemicals in a pool

Pool Pump 1 like: A mechanical device which makes water flow under pressure for filtration or circulation.

Pool Shell 1 like: The structure of a pool floor and its walls; also called Pool Tank

Pool Steps 1 like: A series of flat steps in a pool, on which to place one’s foot when moving from one level to another.

Pool Tank 0 likes: See Pool Shell

Pool Valve 2 likes: A device for controlling the passage of fluid through a pipe or duct in a pool, particularly an automatic device permitting movement in one direction.

Pop Rivet 1 like: Metal fastener used to join pieces of sheet metal, inserted manually by a pneumatic or spring-loaded gun; may occur from one side

Pop-Off Valve 1 like: A safety valve which opens spontaneously when pressure is greater than a preset point

Pop-Up Drain 1 like: The section of a sink drain system that functions via a link to open or close the drain

Pop-Up Head 0 likes: A watering head that retreats to become level with the ground when it is inactive; part of a system for watering lawns

Pops 0 likes: Breaches in a completed cement or plaster surface; also called Pits

Porcelain 1 like: Ceramic coating, like china, that is added to surfaces composed of cast iron or steel; when it serves as a finish for metal fixtures it is referred to as vitreous enamel

Porcelain Cleat 1 like: An electrical insulator, ceramic in nature

Porcelain Enamel 0 likes: Vitreous Enamel

Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) 1 like: P. O. Box 920330, Norcross, GA 30010, Tel: (770) 676-9366, URL: www.porcelainenamel.com/

Porcelain Mullite 0 likes: Vitreous ceramic which has technical applications

Porcelain Receptacle 1 like: A basic electric lighting fixture with a bulb holder; may or may not have a switch operated by a pull chain

Porcelain Sink 1 like: A wash basin that is constructed from steel or cast iron, coated with tough, impermeable, white, glazed ceramic

Porch 0 likes: A covered shelter in front of a house; A landing or area before a door

Pores 1 like: Tiny openings

Porosity 0 likes: The state of being penetrable to liquids; Voids or gas pockets in metal; Ratio of the total volume of voids in a given substance to the total volume, (including voids) generally indicated by a percentage; Degree of continuity or integrity in some material

Porous Fill 0 likes: Soil that permits the passage of water to flow with minimal obstruction

Porous Woods 1 like: Hardwoods that have vessels or pores that are sufficiently large to be visible with the naked eye

Porphyry 0 likes: A tough igneous rock

Portable Bleacher 1 like: An open stand of tiered seats; can be transported from place to place between events

Portable Stage 0 likes: A transportable elevated platform employed at various speaking and entertainment events

Portable Torch Kit 1 like: Used to weld iron and steel pipes or fabricate metal artwork and brazing, cutting, bending and forming.

Portal 0 likes: An extravagant or impressive door or other type of entrance

Portal Frame 0 likes: An inflexible frame; two columns with a beam secured with moment assemblies

Portcullis 1 like: A heavy, latticed iron or iron-bound wood grille that moves up and down vertical grooves to obstruct an entrance or gateway to a castle

Porte Cochere 0 likes: A roof structure next to a building entrance and part of a driveway that shelters vehicle passengers

Portico 0 likes: A roofed entry to a large building

Portland Cement 1 like: Hydraulic cement produced by heating crushed limestone and clay until they form a brick and then crushing it to a pulverized powder; cement used most often in construction; Portland refers to a type of cement, not a brand name

Portland Cement Grout 1 like: Portland cement mixed with water and fine aggregates and employed in cracks, joints and areas as a fill or sealer

Portland Cement Mortar 1 like: A type of mortar that has Portland cement as its cementing agent

Portland Cement Plaster 1 like: Portland cement and plaster binder; used in moist areas or on outside surfaces

Portland Cement-Lime Plaster 0 likes: Portland cement mixed with lime in appropriate amounts

Portland Pozzolan Cement 1 like: The resulting product when pulverizing together Portland cement clinker and pozzolan; a uniform mixture of fine pozzolan with Portland cement

Positioned Weld 1 like: A weld that is made in a joint that is especially positioned to facilitate the weld

Positioner 0 likes: Wire device that maintains reinforcing steel in position in a masonry wall

Positive Drainage 0 likes: When all possible loading deflections of a roof have been taken into account and increased roof slope has been applied to make sure that within 24 hours after rainfall, a roof is totally drained of water

Positive Moment 1 like: Consequence of a beam‘s bending moment when the higher part of the beam is compressed and the lower part is tensed; compare with Negative Moment

Positive Pressure 0 likes: Condition where more air enters than exits a given area, there is more air pressure in that area than in areas that surround the space; Condition where sanitary drainage or vent piping system pressure is larger than atmospheric pressure; also called Plus Pressure

Post 0 likes: A timber that is positioned on its end so that it can support a wall, girder, or other component of the building

Post Cap 1 like: A connection between a wooden post and a girder; made of metal; Fitting which sits on top of a wood post to shield it from the weather

Post Hole 0 likes: A hole dug out in the ground into which a fence or gate post can be inserted

Post Light 1 like: A lighting fixture that has been installed on a post

Post Line 1 like: A line indicating the external face of a foundation; also a line to indicate fence posts or the line of piers for a deck

Post-and-Beam 0 likes: When only a few large posts and beams are employed to support an entire structure; contrast with stud framing

Post, Corner 1 like: See Corner Post

Post, Treated 0 likes: See Treated Post

Postformed Plywood 0 likes: When flat plywood is reshaped via steaming or plasticizing agents into a curve

Pot Hole 1 like: A disruption in the surface of a road where a part of the road material has broken away, leaving a hole

Pot Life 0 likes: See Working Life

Potable Water 1 like: Water that is drinkable

Potassium Alum 0 likes: Used in sand filter operations, as a flocculent to clump small particles together

Potential Energy 1 like: The ability of a body to perform work due to its position in relation to others

Potential Relay 1 like: Electric switch that opens with high voltage, closes with low voltage

Potential, Electrical 1 like: See Electrical Potential

Potentiometer 2 likes: Instrument for measurement and regulation; works by discerning small variations in electrical resistance

Pouch 1 like: A pouch is a small bag or other flexible container, generally carried in a pocket or connected to a belt. See Nail Apron

Pound 0 likes: A unit of weight that is equivalent to 16 ounces; 0.4536 kilograms; Beat or strike repeatedly

Poundal 0 likes: A unit of force that is equivalent to the force that would accelerate a one pound mass one foot per second

Pounds per Square Inch Absolute (PSIA) 0 likes: Absolute Pressure

Pounds per Square Inch Gauge (PSIG) 0 likes: Gauge Pressure

Pour 0 likes: To position concrete; concrete casting that is made without interruption

Pour Coat 0 likes: On a roof, the top layer of bitumen

Pour Point 0 likes: The minimum temperature where a liquid will flow

Poured in Place 0 likes: Concrete that is cured and poured in its final position

Powder 0 likes: Fine dry particles; also gunpowder

Powder Room 1 like: A bathroom, which typically contains just a toilet and hand basin; normally near the front entrance so that it’s convenient for guests

Powder Stains 0 likes: Powder that combines with a solvent to yield wood stains

Power 0 likes: Source of energy such as electricity; Rate at which some work is performed or energy discharged

Power Driven Fastener 1 like: A fastener that connects to concrete, steel, or masonry by means of a power charge cartridge

Power Element 0 likes: Of a temperature-operated regulator, the sensitive element

Power Factor 1 like: The ratio of real power to apparent power; Correction coefficient for the voltage values and changing current of A-C power

Power Inverter 1 like: An electrical power converter that transforms direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC).

Power of Attorney 0 likes: A legal term which describes the authority of one person to act on behalf of another; the agent is referred to as an attorney-in-fact, but is not necessarily a licensed attorney

Power Stretcher 1 like: A carpet layer’s tool; similar to the knee kicker, but with larger teeth in a patent head that are adapted to accommodate the depth of bite; stretches larger pieces of carpet than those extended with the knee kicker

Power Tool 1 like: A device powered by electric current

Power Trowel 1 like: See Mechanical Trowel

Power Vent 2 likes: Frequently mounted on roofs, has a fan that accelerates air flow

Power-Assisted Door 1 like: A door with a mechanism which, upon activation of a switch or a continuous force applied to the door, facilitates opening of the door

Pozzolan 0 likes: A siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material which, in itself, possesses little or no cementitious value but which will, in finely divided form and in the presence of water, react chemically with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperature to form compounds possessing cementitious characteristics; also spelled puzzolan

Wood Anchor

A bolt or fastening device that fastens wood to wood, or wood to other materials

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Our newsletter is packed with huge discounts and construction tips from experts. Be one of the first to have them delivered to your inbox.

Dig Deep Into Construction Resources

AB - AF, AG - AT, B - BA, BE - BI, BL - BM, BO, BR, BS - BY, C - CA, CB - CH, CI - CO, CP - CT, CU - CY, D - DE, DF - DM, DO, DR - DY, E - EL, EM - EQ, ER - EY, FA - FH, FI, FL, FM - FU, GA - GL, GM - GR, GS - GY, HA - HI, HO - HY, I - IM, IN - IR, J - JU, K - KY, LA - LAL, LAM - LAN, LAP - LU, MA, MB - ME, MF - MI, ML - MO, MP - MY, NA, NB - NH, NI - NY, OA - OL, ON - OR, OS - OZ, P - PA, PC - PE, PH - PIN, PIP - PLI, PL, PM - PO, PP - PR, PS - PZ, Q, RA, RB - RE, RF - RI, RM - RO, RP, S - SC, SD - SE, SG - SI, SK - SO, SP - SS, ST - STO, STR - SY, T - TC, TE - TH, TI - TM, TO, TP - TY, U, V - VG, VI - VU, W - WA, WC - WY, X, Y, Z