LICT-Exterior key terms

The separation between conditioned interior space and the outdoors, formed by walls, roof, windows, doors, and foundation. Its job is to control water, air, vapor, and heat movement.

Thin metal or plastic sheet installed at roof and wall junctions to redirect water away from seams. Flashing sheds water at valleys, chimneys, sidewalls, and penetrations where the primary roof covering is interrupted.

A bent piece of flashing at the bottom of a roof-to-wall intersection that throws water out into the gutter rather than letting it run down the siding. Missing kick-outs cause concentrated water intrusion.

A small opening left in brick veneer, stucco, or window frames that lets trapped water drain out of the wall assembly. Weep holes must stay open; sealed or blocked holes trap moisture.

A metal lip along roof eaves and rakes that guides water into the gutter and away from the fascia. It also protects the underlayment edge from wind-driven rain.

A ridge of ice at the eaves formed when snowmelt refreezes. The dam backs water under shingles and into the structure. Poor attic insulation and warm roof decks make it more likely.

A water-resistant membrane laid over roof decking beneath shingles or tiles. It is the secondary barrier that protects the deck if the primary covering leaks.

A self-adhering waterproof membrane applied along eaves, valleys, and other vulnerable roof areas beneath the main underlayment, intended to keep water out where ice forms.

L-shaped pieces woven into sidewall shingle courses to shed water where a sloped roof meets a vertical wall. Each piece overlaps the one below in shingle-like fashion.

The underside surface of an eave or overhang, usually vented to let air enter the attic. It also hides rafters and closes the roof assembly from pests and weather.

The vertical board running along the roof edge that the gutter is attached to. It caps the rafter ends and is commonly where rot from overflowing gutters first appears.

A continuous vent along the roof peak that lets hot, moist attic air escape. It works with soffit vents so cool air enters low and exhausts high.

A sheet material, often house wrap, installed over wall sheathing to block wind-driven rain while passing water vapor. It goes behind siding and must lap shingle-style so water drains downward.

A deliberate groove or line in stucco, concrete, or masonry that allows the material to crack in a planned location as it moves with temperature and moisture.

Exterior Insulation and Finish System: a synthetic stucco finish over rigid foam board. Because it is face-sealed, drainage details and terminations are crucial to prevent trapped water.

A flexible bead of caulk placed in a gap between exterior materials to block air and water. Joints need proper width, backer rod, and compatible sealant to stay intact.

The gap between the bottom of wall cladding and the ground or roof surface. Insufficient clearance lets water wick up into the cladding and hides termite or rot damage.

The structural board, usually plywood or oriented strand board, nailed over rafters to support underlayment and roof covering. Soft or delaminated decking must be replaced before re-roofing.

The steepness of a roof, expressed as inches of rise per foot of run. Slope determines which roof coverings, underlayments, and walking methods are permitted.

A hand-held instrument that measures water content in wood, drywall, or masonry. Pin-type units read electrical resistance; pinless units use capacitance. Readings confirm suspected leaks and guide further inspection.

The use of a thermal camera to see temperature differences on surfaces. In exterior inspection it can reveal missing insulation, moisture, and air leakage, but findings need confirmation with a moisture meter.

The ratio of net free vent area to attic floor area, typically 1:150 or 1:300 with balanced intake and exhaust. Poor ventilation drives heat buildup and condensation on the roof deck.

Using an unmanned aircraft to photograph a roof that is steep, fragile, or unsafe to walk. Operators need line-of-sight, airspace awareness, and image quality that supports damage findings.

A method of confirming hail damage by comparing dents on soft metals, such as vents and gutters, with marks on shingles. Matching impact patterns on soft and hard surfaces shows the storm reached the roof.

The wearing away of the mineral granules on asphalt shingles. Some loss is normal; heavy loss exposes the asphalt mat and shortens the shingle's expected service life.

Damage that measurably reduces a roof's ability to shed water or its expected service life. It is distinguished from cosmetic marks that do not affect performance and is the usual coverage test.

The upward force created when wind flows over a roof and low pressure forms above the deck. Uplift can lift shingles, edge metal, and soffit panels, especially at corners and eaves.

An asphalt shingle bent sharply enough to leave a visible fold line. Creasing breaks the mat and is common when installers or inspectors walk a warm roof.

The documented event that produced the damage, such as hail, wind, or a fallen limb. Correctly naming it drives coverage and repair scope decisions.

The amount to repair or replace damaged exterior components with new materials of similar kind and quality, without deducting for age or depreciation.

A system such as guardrails, personal fall arrest harnesses, or nets used to keep workers from falling off roofs and elevated work surfaces.

A harness connected to an anchor point through a lanyard or lifeline. It must be inspected before use and anchored to withstand the forces of a fall.

The setup guideline that a ladder's base should sit one foot out from the wall for every four feet of working height, keeping the ladder at roughly a 75-degree angle.

A consistent set of wide, mid, and close-up images that shows both the location and the detail of damage so a repair scope can be verified later by someone who was not there.

Written authorization from the local building authority to perform specified work. Exterior repairs that exceed minor maintenance thresholds typically require one before work starts.