loft (attic) 1.

The space in the roof that can be used for storage, or converted to a room in
the roof. 2. A floor of a commercial building, let unfurnished.

long arm Long pole with fixing on the end that allows it to be used to manoeuvre overhead
equipment, such as roller shutter doors, Velux roof lights, roof vents, or other equipment that
is too high to reach.

long float A flat trowel operated by two people for smoothing screed and concrete.
leat A channel that diverts water to a watermill to provide power.
ledge 1. A horizontal platform. 2. The horizontal platform at the foot of a window. 3. The
horizontal timber used to hold the panels in a matchboard door together.

leach To remove something slowly, typically relating to liquids. Leachate is the liquid
from the decomposing waste in a *landfill.

leaching The process of liquid solder dissolving a metal coating.

lead A non-ferrous metal, chemical formula Pb, that is malleable, ductile, and dense. Lead is
commonly used in construction in sheet form for roofing, flashings, and lead sheet cladding.
Lead is dense and heavy (density 11,300 kg/m3), but it is quite corrosionresistant. It can be
bent and folded repeatedly without failing, which is useful when
forming flashings for roofing purposes. It melts at a very low temperature of 327C. It is also
alloyed with tin to form *solder; this is used mainly for making electrical and plumbing joints.

lead-caulked joint (lead joint) A type of joint used in cast-iron pipework where molten
lead is poured in to seal and join the pipes.

peeling Finish such as paint that has not properly adhered to the surface and has started
to come away from the substrate.
peen hammer Striking tool with a rounded end, used for hammering and working metal.
peening Working of metal using a *peen hammer.

phreatic See groundwater.

pile 1. Concrete column that is driven or bored into the ground; piles are either endbearing
with the load being transferred to the end of the pile that rests on good loadbearing strata,
or friction piles that transfer the loads by friction along the sides of the piles. 2. The fibres
that project from a woven carpet.
plumbing 1. Working with pipes, sanitary fittings, and lead work. 2. Setting something
vertical and *plumb.
porch A covered approach to a doorway or a small roof placed over the entrance to a
house, the sides of which can be closed in or left open.

pulley A simple type of machine comprising a grooved wheel that a rope or chain runs
through. Used for lifting heavy objects.
pulley stile The jambs of sash windows that incorporate the pulleys.

pump A mechanical device that can move fluids and gases.

scaffold (scaffolding) A temporary structure that is erected to enable work to be carried out
at an elevated level. Scaffoldings are used to provide access at heights so that walls can be
erected, and ceilings, floors, and roofs can be constructed, decorated, and repaired. The
framework provides access for a worker, a place to temporarily store materials, and if
providing temporary support, it can act as *falsework. Various scaffolding systems exist,
including quick assembly patent systems, tower scaffolds, independent scaffolds, platform
scaffolds such as birdcage assemblies, and putlog scaffolds that are partially supported by the
building. Scaffolding was traditionally made from timber tied or bolted together. The tubes,
poles, and standards of today are more commonly aluminium and steel, though in some
countries, bamboo remains a material that is commonly used.