This list of terms and conditions addresses most of the widespread home hazards likely to be encountered inspectors.

  • algae: microorganisms that may develop to colonies in moist environments, which includes a number of rooftops. They can discolor roofing shingles; often referred to as fungus.
  • alligatoring: a problem of paint or aged asphalt brought about by the reduction of volatile oils, and the corrosion caused by solar radiation; causes a rough, “checking” pattern indicated by slipping of the new paint layer over the previous coating to the extent that the old coating can be observed through the fissures. “Alligatoring” creates a design of crevices resembling an alligator hide, and is ultimately the end result of the constrained tolerance of paint or asphalt to thermal expansion and contraction.
  • asbestos: a widespread form of magnesium silicate which was frequently used in a variety of construction products because of its stability and amount of resistance to fire. Asbestos exposure, prompted by inhaling free asbestos fibers, is affiliated with numerous forms of lung disease. Asbestos is the name given to certain inorganic minerals when they occur in fibrous form. Though fire-resistant, its extremely fine fibers are easily inhaled, and exposure to them over a period of years has been linked to cancers of the lung and the lung-cavity lining, and to asbestosis, a severe lung impairment. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber sometimes found in older homes. It is hazardous to your health when a possibility exists of exposure to inhalable fibers. Homeowners should be alert for friable (readily crumbled or brittle) asbestos, and always seek professional advice in dealing with it.
  • bleeding: the migration of a fluid to the surface of a element or into/onto an adjacent material.
  • blister: an encased, raised location evident on the surface of a building. They are mainly caused by the expansion of trapped air, water vapor, moisture or other gases.
  • blue stain: a bluish or grayish discoloration of the sapwood caused the growth of certain mold-like fungi on the surface and in the interior of a piece, made possible by the same conditions that favor the growth of other fungi.
  • bubbling: in glazing, open or closed pockets in a sealant caused by the release, production or expansion of gasses.
  • buckling: the bending of building materials as a consequence of wear and tear, or contact with a element such as water.
  • carbon monoxide (CO): a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon.
  • cohesive failure: internal splitting of a compound resulting from over-stressing of the compound.
  • condensation: water condensing on walls, ceiling and pipes; normal in areas of high humidity, usually controlled by ventilation or a dehumidifier.
  • corrosion: the deterioration of metal by chemical or electrochemical reaction resulting from exposure to weathering, moisture, chemicals and other agents and media.
  • crater: pit in the surface of concrete resulting from cracking of the mortar due to expansive forces associated with a particle of unsound aggregate or a contaminating material, such as wood or glass.
  • crazing: a series of hairline cracks in the surface of weathered materials, having a web-like appearance; also, hairline cracks in pre-finished metals caused by bending or forming; see brake metal.
  • cupping: a type of warping that causes boards to curl up at their edges.
  • damp-proofing: a process used on concrete, masonry and stone surfaces to repel water, the main purpose of which is to prevent the coated surface from absorbing rainwater while still permitting moisture vapor to escape from the structure. Moisture vapor readily penetrates coatings of this type. Damp-proofing generally applies to surfaces above grade; waterproofing generally applies to surfaces below grade.
  • decay: disintegration of wood and other substances through the action of fungi.
  • distortion: alteration of viewed images caused by variations in glass flatness or in homogeneous portions within the glass; an inherent characteristic of heat-treated glass.
  • drippage: bitumen material that drips through roof deck joints, or over the edge of a roof deck.
  • dry rot: see fungal wood rot.
  • feathering strips: tapered wood filler strips placed along the butt edges of old wood shingles to create a level surface when re-roofing over existing wood shingle roofs; aso called “horsefeathers.”
  • fungal wood rot: a common wood-destroying organism which develops when wood-containing material is exposed to moisture and poor air circulation for a long period of time (six-plus months); often and incorrectly referred to as “dry rot.”
  • fungi (wood): microscopic plants that live in damp wood and cause mold, stain and decay.
  • incompatibility: descriptive of two or more materials which are not suitable to be used together.
  • lead-based paint: Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around homes. Lead may cause a range of health problems, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children age 6 and under are most at risk because their bodies are growing quickly.
  • migration: spreading or creeping of a constituent of a compound onto/into adjacent surfaces; see bleeding.
  • mud cracks: cracks developing from the normal shrinkage of an emulsion coating when applied too heavily.
  • mushroom: an undesirable occurrence when the top of a caisson concrete pier advances out and solidifies to come to be broader than the foundation’s wall depth.
  • photo-oxidation: oxidation triggered by uv rays of the sun.
  • ponding: a problem where water stands on a roof structure for extended durations because of inadequate drainage and/or deflection of the deck.
  • pop-out: see stucco pop-out.
  • radon: a naturally-occurring, radioactive gas which is heavier than air and is typical in many areas of the country. Radon gas subjection is connected with lung cancer. Minimization measures may include crawlspace and basement venting and several forms of vapor barriers.
  • scrap out: the removing of all drywall materials and waste after the property is “hung out” (installed) with drywall.
  • seasoning: eliminating moisture from green wood in order to enhance its serviceability.
  • settlement: adjustments in a construction, generally caused by freeze-thaw cycles below ground.
  • sludge: term for the waste materials located in sump pump pits, septic systems and gutters.
  • spalling: the chipping and flaking of concrete, bricks and other masonry where incorrect drainage and venting in addition to a freeze/thaw cycling.
  • splitting: the development of extended cracks entirely through a membrane. Splits are generally associated with absence of allocation for expansion tensions.
  • ultraviolet degradation: a reduction in certain performance limits caused by exposure to ultraviolet light.
  • UV rays: ultraviolet rays from the sun.
  • veining: in a roof structure is the characteristic outlines or “stretch marks” which develop in the course of the aging process of soft bitumens.
  • warping: any distortions in materials.
  • water vapor: moisture content present as a gas in the atmosphere.

Original information obtained at:
From Household Hazards – Int’l Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) http://www.nachi.org/hazards.htm#ixzz26fzqjWWH.
From Household Hazards – Int’l Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) http://www.nachi.org/hazards.htm#ixzz26fzqjWWH.