ridge board: the horizontal board at the top of the attic, that the rafters are nailed to.

ridge vent: a static vent, located at the highest point of an area of the roof (the ridge), which allows for the ventilation of warm air from the attic area.

s-trap: an older plumbing trap configuration, used before the advent of p-traps. The trap would drain water vertically, typically connecting to waste lines below the house. They are no longer allowed, as the configuration of the trap increases the possibility the trap water will siphon out, leaving an opening for sewer gases to enter the home.

Safety cables are wire ropes that are threaded through a garage door’s extension springs (above the roller tracks) and secured at both ends. These cable hold the spring in place if it breaks while under tension, helping to limit any potential damage. The Door and Access Systems Manufacturer’s Association (DASMA) and garage door manufacturers recommend that all overhead doors with …

septic tank: a (typically) underground tank where sewage is collected and septic tank decomposed by bacterial action, prior to discharge as effluent. Septic systems are typically installed in homes that do not have access to a municipal or community sewer disposal system. To learn more about septic systems, including how to keep them functioning properly, please visit the EPA’s Septic System …

service entrance: the point at which a utility (electricity, gas or water) connects to the home.

sewer gas: a mixture of gases produced by the decomposition of waste in the sewer system. These gases may include ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, among others, and are a mixture of toxic and nontoxic gases, some of which are flammable.

A structure that transmits light into the structure. A skylight is built into the roof, and can be constructed of a large panel-type structure or a small, plastic tube.

soffit: the underside of the area of the roof which overhangs the exterior wall of the house.

soffit vent: a static vent, located at the lowest point of the attic area (in the soffit), which allows for cooler (than attic) air to enter the attic area.