calcium chloride
CaCl2 , a solid that becomes liquid by adsorbing moisture from the air, used for measuring the moisture content of varying surfaces.

cantilever
A beam or girder that is firmly secured at one end and free at the other end.

carcinogen
A substance that can cause cancer.

category
The method used to define a water loss by its hazards; #1 clean water (potable), #2 gray water (unsanitary) and #3 black water (hazardous).

catalyst
A substance responsible for an accelerated chemical reaction, which itself does not chemically change.

calcine
The heating of a substance, to a higher temperature, that is lower than its melting pint; resulting in loss of moisture, oxidation and the decomposition of carbonates.

cation
An ion or group of atoms having a positive electrical charge.

capillary
A tube or fine bore, attraction or repulsion between a liquid.

carbon dioxide
CO2, an incombustible gas, dry ice; see carbonic acid.

carbon dioxide tester
An instrument used to detect the presence of carbon dioxide, as well as warn workers of the potential hazard.

carbon monoxide
CO, an odorless, poisonous, flammable gas produced from burning carbons.

carbonic acid
H2CO3, formed when carbon dioxide dissolves in water.

cathode
The reduction which occurs in an electrode, or the positive terminal of a battery.

caustic
Capable of burning or corroding.

cavity
The hollow of a finished wall or floor system; air space.

cell
The basic structure of a living organism.

cellotape sampling
The process of removing microorganisms for laboratory evaluation.

Celsius
See centigrade.

centigrade
A temperature scale, where 0º C represents the freezing point and 100º C represents the boiling point.

ceramic
Products made from clay or similar materials then heated; ceramic tile, porcelain, etc.

certificate of completion
An authorization form used to substantiate the completion of the scope of work or services, to release the contractor from all legal liabilities of the construction process, date where the warranty process starts.

certified restorer (CR)
A dedicated professional, a person whom through experience, education, stringent classroom work, and testing represents the standards and integrity of the insurance restoration, reconstruction and cleaning industry.

change order
Directive, legal contract, used to make additions to or deletions from the original scope of work and/or drawings.

chemically sensitive
A person with a physical response (reaction) or allergic response to a chemical compound.

circuit breaker
(1) Electrical device used to disconnect electrical (current) flow.

chair rail
A molding or piece of wood mounted horizontal to prevent damage to walls.

charring
The characteristic change of a carbonic material through burning, black in color, blistering.

chemical sponge
See dry sponge.

chloride
The compound of chlorine and another element.

chlorine
A greenish/yellow gaseous chemical with pungent odors, used as a bleaching agent, and in water purification.

chlorophyll
The green pigment found in most plant cells, capable of converting sunlight into energy and carbohydrates.

classification
(1)Used to describe the classification of a sewage backflow: situation #1, situation #2 or situation #3. (2) Mold spore formation classifying: Level #1, Level #2, Level #3, Level #4 or Level #5 (3) Soot categorizing: light, medium, or heavy.

Clean Water
Category 1, Clean Water, is water that does
not pose health risks and source originations from water that does not contain
contaminants. Examples of clean water
sources are broken water lines,
malfunctioning appliances, toilet tanks,
snow, rainwater and melting ice.

closed drying process
A process of drying a structure when an equilibrium between the outside air and inside air exists.

coefficient of thermal conductivity
The amount of heat in BTU that passes by conduction through a one inch thickness of homogeneous material, per hour., per sq. ft., per °f.

coefficient of heat transmission
Amount of heat that passes through materials,  and air space.

colony forming units (CFU)
The formation of microorganisms on the surface of a structure or content item.

combustible gas detector
An instrument used to detect and warn workers of potential flammable gases and odors.

component
The part of something larger.

compound
A substance created when combing two or more chemicals.

condensation
The moisture formation caused by the conversion of gas or vapors to a liquid state.

conditional odors
Odors that are dependent on a condition or conditions, mildew.

condominium
A dwelling, complex of apartments where each unit is individually owned.

confinement
To secure an area from other areas, as when drying out a structure or performing abatement, to confine a room or rooms from the balance of the structure.

consequential damage
The resulted outcome of a loss, not the origin related damage.

contents
Personal property generally used and stored within a structure.

convection
The mechanical transfer of heated molecules of a gas or liquid from a source to an other area.

cooperative (Co-Op)
A jointly owned apartment complex where each individual unit is privately owned.

corrosion
The process of eating away, rusting.

corrugated metal
Sheet plate or steel plate having a corrugated shape for strength, used as roof and floor decking in commercial and institutional facilities.

Coulomb’s law
The principal of electrostatic force, the attraction or repulsion between electrical charges which is in proportion to the inverse distance between them.

cotton swab
An applicator used to extract microbiological (bacteria) samples from surfaces.

cross contamination
To infect an already cleaned, neutralized, disinfected or sanitized area, from persons, equipment, materials, HVAC system, etc.

crowning
The downward formation of wood (floor) planking, caused when moisture is absorbed from above the wood (floor) planking.

crystallization
The solidification of a compound associated with liquids and gases, as on metals effected with hydrochloric acid which creates a bond between the opposing charges.

CUCI
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Institute, Division of the ASCR International.

culture plates
Petri dishes used to determine bacteria presence from culture samples.

culturette
A sterile swab with container, used to extract bacterial samples.

cupping
The upward formation of wood (floor) planking, caused when moisture is absorbed from below the wood (floor) planking.

D

debris
The building material waste after demolition, rubbish, the damaged and unwanted waste after a storm.

deck
An uncovered platform generally constructed of wood, a metal structural component used as flooring or roofing.

decomposition
The break down of matter through decay, heat or flame, mold.

decompression
The releasing of pressure, a natural reformation.

decontamination
To remove toxic substances, pathogens, the disinfecting or sanitation of a surface or item.

decor
A style of decorating, the combination of furnishings and colors within a room or structure.

deductible
A clause within an insurance policy of a specific amount, the allowable amount of a loss that the property owner(s) are responsible for.

deflection
The bending or twisting of a structural member from its own weight or an applied load.

deformation
The change of a structural members shape that does not cause failure.

degradation
The deterioration of a painted surface due to heat, light or moisture.

degree of saturation
The volume of water (moisture) as a percentage as related to the overall mass.

dehumidification
The act of dehumidifying, to remove moisture from the air or object.

dehumidifier
An electrical device used to remove moisture from the air through condensation (refrigerant) or absorption (desiccant).

delamination
The separation of two or more materials generally bonded together with an adhesive, the separation of layers.

demolition
The removal of building components in a systematic fashion.

deodorant
A chemical agent used to destroy or mask odors.

deodorize
The process of applying a deodorant, the removal of an odor through a process.

depreciation
The decrease in value due to wear and tear, the amount deducted from the replacement value of a property or item.

depth gauge
A/K/A char gauge, used to measure the depth of char on a piece of wood.

desiccant
A drying substance or agent, the adsorption material within a desiccant dehumidifier.

destructive demolition
The removal of a component that is of zero value due to the removal process and can not be reinstalled.

detergent
Any cleaning agent.

deterioration
To become worse, to become of  lesser value, quality or character, to disintegrate.

dew
The condensed moisture that forms on cool surfaces.

dew point
The temperature at which air must be cooled before dew can form, the temperature where secondary damages will start after a water loss.

differing site conditions
The occurring act (change) of a building component or contents item which changes conditions due to secondary damages, such as mold, absorption, corrosion, etc.

dilution ratio
The correct mixture of a liquid with water as described by the manufacture of the liquid.

direct result
As referred in a water loss situation and pertaining to the components or items directly effected by the water, anything wet/moist, other than secondary damages.

disinfect
The removing or destroying of contaminates.

documents
Printed or written information, legal or official papers, books, etc.

dormant
Temporarily inactive, as with molds and fungus in a state of dormancy, reactive.

distress
The wearing or deterioration of a building component or content item, weakness.

dressed and matched
T&G, tongued and groove, machined boards or planks with a tongue on one side and a groove on the other side.

drop ceiling
A suspension ceiling system which acoustical ceiling tiles, light fixtures and HVAC diffusers are placed (dropped) into.

dry clean
The cleaning of a fabric with a non-water based solution.

dry ice blasting
The use of CO2, dry ice pellets as forced from a delivery system through a hose and applicator wand, used to remove smoke, soot, molds, etc. from structural components and substrate.

dry rot
The decaying or deterioration of wood, fungus infected wood.

dry smoke
Non-smeary fire residue, particles of incomplete combustion (PIC's).

dry sponge
A cleaning sponge composed of cellulose materials which absorbs dry particles through physical action -- does not contain chemicals.

drywall
Sheetrock, gypsum board, CaSO42H2O, the interior finish of a wall or ceiling.

duct
(1) Galvanized sheets formed to allow a passage or conduit for air to flow, used as a part of the HVAC system. (2) A wire way in a concrete floor where electrical wires are run.

duct cleaning
The physical or mechanical cleaning of the air conveyance system (ductwork) of a HVAC system.

duration
Time frame, the time which something continues.

e-coli
A bacteria present in sewage and sewage backflows.

effective temperature
The fixed temperature where the effects of humidity and air movement will produce (secondary damages) saturated air.

efflorescence
Powdery residue of soluble salts, white in color.  Moisture migration through stone, block, mortar, or plaster, and as moisture evaporates, soluble salts residue is left.

EFS
Exterior Finish System, a ready mix compound of acrylic polymer used on exterior wall systems.

electrical fire
A fire caused by an electrical wire, device or apparatus.

electrical tape
A non-conducting thermoplastic tape with adhesive used to wrap electrical joints.

electrolyte
The migration of ions, a substance or liquid that will conduct electrical currents.

electromotive force
The force or electrical pressure that causes electrons to move.

electron
The nucleus of an atom, the negative particle occurring in atoms.

electronics
The science of dealing with electrons in vacuum, gases, transistors, etc.

element
Substance of atoms, component, the making of a compound.

emergency lighting
The temporary illumination of a job (loss) site using a standby generator to power lighting.

emergency power
The temporary supply of electricity using a standby generator.

emergency repairs
The process of providing remedial action to a loss site.

emulsion
Two liquid substances that are insoluble to each other.

enamel
A hard pigment paint having a glossy film.

encapsulate
To enclose within a barrier for testing procedures; isolate.

engineer
One who specializes in putting knowledge to particular use; electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, etc.

EPA
Environmental Protection Agency, US Federal agency that provides, regulates and enforces clean air and water Acts for the health and welfare of the public.

equilibrium
The balance between opposing sides, (1) In a water loss equilibrium exists when the outside humidity and the inside humidity is equal to each other, or when the number of water molecules escaping a substance equals the number of water molecules returning to the substance. (2) When the electromotive force (emf) within a metal is not producing free energy.

etching
A sketch formation in glass, brass, stainless steel, etc., caused by a chemical reaction of acids.

ethylene glycol
Anti-freeze

evaporation
The converting of a liquid into a vapor or gaseous state.

exclusion
A contract provision in an insurance policy limiting or excluding coverage.

exhaust fan
A device used to divert unwanted air away from a room or structure.

expansion joint
A joint or gap in a building structure or concrete slab to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature fluctuation.

exterior insulation and finish system
EIFS, as manufactured by Dryvit, etc., a flexible tough insulated exterior wall system used in new construction and renovation to provide a durable exterior finish, and is available in varying textures and colors.

exterior plywood
A multi-ply layer of veneers bonded together with an exterior (waterproof) glue, CDX.

extraction
The partial removal of a liquid or substance using a vacuum.