vent: a pipe, typically traveling through the roof of the home, intended to allow the flow of air/gases to and from the exterior of the home. Vents may serve a plumbing waste line or a combustion appliance. See plumbing vent and appliance vent.

A mineral that expands when heated and was used in construction as an insulation material. Vermiculite mined near Libby, Montana was found to contain asbestos.

voltage: a measurement of the pressure from an electrical circuit’s power source that pushes current (charged electrons) through a conducting loop, allowing them to do work (such as powering a TV). During a home inspection, the inspector will inform you of the estimated voltage supplied to the home. Estimated voltage is based on a typical US power supply rating for …

water closet: an older term for a toilet or a small room containing a toilet

water hammer arrestor: a manufactured or home-made device, installed on the plumbing supply lines, that has a cushioning device to reduce the force of water hammer. This device helps to reduce or eliminate the noise and pipe vibration caused by water hammer.

While we all enjoy a hot bath/shower, we must take care to ensure that our water temperature isn’t too high, especially when small children are part of the household. There are two considerations when it comes to the temperature setting on a home’s water heater. First is disease prevention. According to OSHA, water heaters with temperatures below 140°F (and that …

wax ring: a molded, round piece of wax that serves as a gasket between the bottom of the toilet fixture and the floor flange, which sits on top of the drain line.

There are approximately 45 different species of termites in the U.S. These termites fall into three main categories: subterranean, drywood and dampwood. The unique traits of each species determine where they live, what type of nest they build, and the likelihood that they will come in contact with humans, causing damage to our homes. Subterranean termites are common across the …