Building Terminology

“Grey Float”, “Float”, or “Render” is the grey concrete-like render that is applied to internal brick walls before they are plastered.

“Soakwells are subsurface water tanks that aid in the on-site detention of rain water collected from roof areas. Soakwells protect your home against flooding, soil erosion and rain damage. In addition, soakwells prevent your water from flowing into neighbouring properties.” – Text Source: Simply Soakwells. In new builds, soakwells are usually installed before brickworks starts.

Rebar is short for “reinforcing bar”, and is known colloquially as “reo”. It’s a steel bar or mesh used as a device to strengthen and hold concrete in tension. The concrete slab of a house is poured over a rebar grid, to increase its strength and durability. (Text Source: WiseGeek)

The “tubing” stage is when the electricians and plumbers insert water/gas pipes and electrical wiring into the walls of the house. At this stage, they only insert the minimum required equipment that they will later connect to the final electrical and plumbing fittings. To prepare for this stage, you will need to know what powerpoints/light switches you want to install (this determines the size of the “wall box”) and you will need to know and buy the plumbing fittings that need to be inserted into the wall, such as shower taps.