House Maintenace Flashcards
What are house piles?
Vertical posts that transfer the house load to the ground.
What is subfloor framing?
The joists and bearers that support the floor above the piles.
What is a bearer?
A large horizontal beam that supports floor joists.
What is a joist?
Smaller horizontal beams that hold the flooring and transfer weight to bearers.
How to check for rotten piles?
Probe them with a screwdriver for softness or hollow sound.
What is a pile cap?
Concrete or timber footing that the pile rests on.
What causes pile movement?
Soil erosion, waterlogging, or poor compaction.
What is underfloor insulation?
Insulation batts or panels fixed under the floor to retain heat.
What’s a subfloor vent?
A vent that allows air to flow under the house to prevent dampness.
How to level a pile?
Use a laser level or builder’s level when installing or adjusting.
What is weatherboard cladding?
Overlapping timber planks that protect the exterior walls.
What is HardiPlank?
A fiber cement version of weatherboard, low-maintenance and fire-resistant.
What is sarking?
A foil insulation layer under the roof or wall cladding.
What is a stud wall?
A wall framed with vertical timber studs.
What are noggings?
Horizontal blocks between studs for support and stability.
What is flashing?
Thin metal used around windows, decks, and roofs to direct water away.
What causes damp walls?
Poor drainage, leaks, or lack of airflow.
What’s the best paint for weatherboards?
Exterior-grade acrylic or oil-based paint.
How to fix cracked cladding?
Replace the board or use wood filler and repaint.
What is Colorbond roofing?
A durable, painted steel roofing material used widely in Australia.
What is a ridge cap?
A piece of flashing covering the roof peak to keep out rain.
What is a roof screw with washer?
A roofing fastener with a rubber seal to prevent leaks.
What is a fascia board?
The board fixed to the edge of the roof, supporting the gutter.
What is a soffit?
The underside of the roof overhang/eaves.
How often should you clean gutters?
At least twice a year, or more in leafy areas.
What’s a downpipe?
A vertical pipe that channels water from the gutter to the ground.
What is roof pitch?
The angle or steepness of a roof.
How to spot a roof leak?
Look for stains or sagging in the ceiling after heavy rain.
What is a valley flashing?
Metal flashing in the V-shaped roof areas where two slopes meet.
What is decking timber?
Wooden planks used to create the surface of the deck.
What is a balustrade?
A railing system that prevents falls on decks and stairs.
What is a stringer?
The sloped board on stairs that supports the treads.
What is a ledger board?
A board that attaches the deck to the house structure.
How to stop deck squeaking?
Tighten screws or nails and lubricate joints.
How to clean a timber deck?
Use a deck cleaner and pressure washer on low.
How often to oil a deck?
Every 12–18 months depending on weather exposure.
What causes decking to warp?
Uneven drying from sun exposure or moisture imbalance.
What is a joist hanger?
A metal bracket that holds deck joists in place.
What is galvanised hardware?
Steel coated with zinc to prevent rusting—ideal for decks.
What is a flue?
A pipe or duct that vents smoke from a fireplace outside.
What is creosote?
A flammable substance that builds up from burning wood.
What is a chimney cap?
A metal cover that stops rain and birds entering the flue.
How often should a chimney be cleaned?
Once a year or every 50–70 fires.
What is a damper?
A metal flap in the chimney that controls airflow.
What is a hearth?
The floor area in front of the fireplace.
What is a firebrick?
A heat-resistant brick lining the firebox.
How to start a fire properly?
Use dry kindling and create a draft by opening the damper.
What is chimney draw?
The airflow pulling smoke up the flue.
How to spot a chimney leak?
Look for water stains around the chimney breast or flue.
What is plasterboard?
Panels made from gypsum used for interior walls and ceilings.
What is a stud?
A vertical framing piece inside the wall.
What is skirting board?
Trim at the base of walls to cover gaps with the floor.
What is an architrave?
Decorative moulding around doors and windows.
What is a lintel?
A beam above windows/doors that supports the load above.
What is ceiling insulation?
Batts or blow-in material to reduce heat loss.
What is a cornice?
A decorative trim between wall and ceiling.
How to find a wall stud?
Use a stud finder or tap for a solid sound.
What is a ceiling rose?
A decorative ceiling piece around a light fixture.
What is a noggin?
A horizontal support block between wall studs.
What is a P-trap?
U-shaped pipe under sinks that blocks sewer gases.
What is a flexi hose?
A braided, flexible pipe used for plumbing fixtures.
What is a gully trap?
A drain that catches water and prevents odours from escaping.
How to shut off main water supply?
Turn the valve near the meter or tank clockwise.
What is stormwater drainage?
System to carry rainwater away from the house.
What is a septic tank?
A wastewater system for houses not on town sewer.
What causes water hammer?
Sudden stoppage of water flow causing pipe rattling.
What is greywater?
Recycled water from showers, laundry, and sinks.
What’s a downpipe spreader?
Spreads water across a roof to avoid overflow.
What is a water diverter?
A valve that redirects water from a tank to the garden or house.
What is an RCD?
A safety switch that shuts off power if a fault is detected.
What is a circuit breaker?
A switch that interrupts power if overloaded.
What is a fuse box?
The panel containing all fuses and breakers in the house.
What is an earth wire?
A safety wire that carries electricity away if there’s a fault.
What causes lights to flicker?
Loose bulbs, wiring issues, or power fluctuations.
How to test a smoke alarm?
Press and hold the test button.
How often should smoke alarm batteries be changed?
Once a year.
What is a power point?
An electrical outlet for plugging in appliances.
What is double insulation?
Electrical devices that don’t require grounding.
What is a switchboard?
Central point for controlling home electrical circuits.
What is a termite barrier?
A chemical or physical block that prevents termites.
What is rust treatment?
Products like rust converter or primer for steel components.
How to prevent mould?
Ensure ventilation and fix water leaks quickly.
What is caulking?
A sealant used to fill gaps in joints or fixtures.
What is silicone sealant?
Waterproof filler for bathrooms, kitchens, or exterior joints.
How to fix a drafty window?
Replace seals or apply weather stripping.
What is weather stripping?
Material used to seal window and door edges.
What is a water level?
A simple tool using water to check level over distances.
What is a sump pump?
A pump that removes groundwater from under the house.
What is pest baiting?
Setting up poisoned bait stations to control rodents or insects.
What is a spirit level?
A tool to check if a surface is perfectly level or plumb.
What is a stud finder?
A device to locate framing studs behind walls.
What is a reciprocating saw?
A power saw ideal for cutting timber, metal, and PVC.
What is a claw hammer?
A hammer with one end for driving nails, the other for removing them.
What is a crowbar?
A metal tool for prying apart boards or lifting heavy objects.
What is a nail gun?
A tool that drives nails into timber quickly using compressed air or battery.
What is a drill driver?
A power drill that also screws and unscrews fasteners.
What is a circular saw?
A power saw for straight timber cuts.
What is a multi-tool?
A versatile power tool with interchangeable heads.
What is a moisture meter?
A device that detects dampness in timber, plaster, or soil.
