The jobsite dictionary · Construction
🏠 Roofing
60 roofing terms with how to say them in Spanish, an example from the job, and audio. From ChambaTalk's free construction glossary.
- boot BUTchaqueta chah-KEH-tah
The flashing sleeve that seals around a pipe where it comes through the roof.
That leak is just a cracked boot on the vent pipe. — Esa gotera es nada más una chaqueta rajada en el tubo de ventilación.
Also: sello de tubo (general)
- bundle BON-dolpaquete pah-KEH-teh
One package of shingles; usually three bundles cover one square.
Stage two bundles at each corner of the roof. — Acomoda dos paquetes en cada esquina del techo.
Also: bulto (MX)
- cap nail KAP NEILclavo con capuchón KLAH-voh kohn kah-poo-CHOHN
A nail with a plastic disc head used to hold felt and synthetic underlayment.
Use cap nails on the synthetic or the wind will tear it loose. — Usa clavos con capuchón en el sintético o el viento lo arranca.
- chimney CHIM-nichimenea chee-meh-NEH-ah
The masonry or framed stack that passes through the roof for smoke or venting.
The chimney needs step flashing and counterflashing on both sides. — La chimenea necesita botaguas escalonado y contrabotaguas por los dos lados.
- coping KOU-pingalbardilla ahl-bar-DEE-yah
The metal cap that covers the top of a parapet wall.
The coping joints need cover plates and sealant. — Las uniones de la albardilla necesitan placas y sellador.
Also: remate de pretil (MX)
- counterflashing KAUN-ter-flash-ingcontrabotaguas kohn-trah-boh-tah-AH-gwahs
The upper flashing set into the wall that laps over the base flashing.
Grind the mortar joint and set the counterflashing into it. — Ranura la junta de mortero y empotra ahí el contrabotaguas.
- course KORShilada ee-LAH-dah
One horizontal row of shingles or roofing material.
Check your lines every few courses so you stay straight. — Revisa tus líneas cada tantas hiladas para no chuequearte.
Also: fila (general)
- cricket KRI-ketdesviador dehs-vyah-DOR
A small peaked structure behind a chimney or curb that diverts water around it.
Any chimney over thirty inches wide gets a cricket behind it. — Toda chimenea de más de treinta pulgadas de ancho lleva desviador atrás.
Also: silla (general)
- deck DEKentablado ehn-tah-BLAH-doh
The plywood or board surface the roofing is fastened to.
Mark any soft spots in the deck so we can replace that plywood. — Marca los puntos blandos del entablado para cambiar ese triplay.
Also: cubierta (general)
- dormer DOR-merbuhardilla boo-ar-DEE-yah
A small roofed structure with a window that projects from the main roof.
The dormers take the longest because of all the flashing. — Las buhardillas son lo más tardado por tanto botaguas.
- downspout DAUN-spautbajante bah-HAHN-teh
The vertical pipe that carries water from the gutter to the ground.
Strap the downspout to the wall every six feet. — Sujeta el bajante a la pared a cada seis pies.
Also: bajada de agua (general)
- drip edge DRIP ECHgoterón goh-teh-ROHN
Metal edging at eaves and rakes that guides water away from the fascia.
Nail the drip edge before the underlayment on the eaves. — Clava el goterón antes de la membrana base en los aleros.
Also: botaguas de borde (general)
- dry in DRAI INponer a prueba de agua poh-NEHR ah PRWEH-bah deh AH-gwah
To get the roof watertight with underlayment before the finish roofing goes on.
We have to dry in the whole roof before Friday's storm. — Tenemos que poner a prueba de agua todo el techo antes de la tormenta del viernes.
- eave IIValero ah-LEH-roh
The lower roof edge that overhangs the wall.
Start the first course flush with the eave. — Empieza la primera hilada al ras del alero.
- EPDM I-PI-DI-EMEPDM EH-PEH-DEH-EH-meh
A black rubber membrane for flat roofs, glued or ballasted down.
Roll the EPDM out and let it relax before you glue it. — Extiende el EPDM y deja que se relaje antes de pegarlo.
- exposure eks-POU-shurexposición eks-poh-see-SYOHN
The part of each shingle course left visible to the weather.
Keep the exposure at five and five-eighths on these shingles. — Mantén la exposición en cinco y cinco octavos con estas tejas.
- fall protection FOL pro-TEK-shonprotección contra caídas proh-tek-SYOHN KOHN-trah kah-EE-dahs Safety-critical
The required system of harnesses, lines, anchors, or rails that prevents falls.
Over six feet up, fall protection is mandatory, no exceptions. — Arriba de seis pies, la protección contra caídas es obligatoria, sin excepciones.
- fascia FEI-shaimposta eem-POHS-tah
The vertical trim board at the roof edge where gutters attach.
Replace the rotted fascia before you hang the new gutter. — Cambia la imposta podrida antes de colgar el canalón nuevo.
Also: fascia (MX)
- felt FELTfieltro FYEHL-troh
Asphalt-saturated paper used as traditional roofing underlayment.
Roll out thirty-pound felt on the whole deck. — Tiende fieltro de treinta libras en todo el entablado.
Also: papel asfáltico (general)
- flashing FLASH-ingbotaguas boh-tah-AH-gwahs
Metal pieces that seal roof edges and joints where water could get in.
Replace all the flashing around the chimney while we are up there. — Cambia todos los botaguas alrededor de la chimenea ya que andamos arriba.
Also: tapajuntas (general)
- granules GRA-nyulsgránulos GRAH-noo-lohs
The mineral coating on shingles that protects the asphalt from the sun.
Granules in the gutter mean those shingles are wearing out. — Gránulos en el canalón significan que esas tejas ya se están acabando.
- gutter GO-tercanalón kah-nah-LOHN
The channel along the eave that collects rainwater from the roof.
Pitch the gutter toward the downspout so it drains. — Dale caída al canalón hacia el bajante para que desagüe.
Also: canaleta (MX)
- harness JAR-nesarnés ar-NEHS Safety-critical
The full-body fall protection gear that must be worn and tied off on steep roofs.
Nobody gets on this roof without a harness tied off to an anchor. — Nadie se sube a este techo sin arnés amarrado a un anclaje.
- hip JIPlimatesa lee-mah-TEH-sah
The outside sloped edge where two roof planes meet.
Cut the shingles tight along the hip and cap it after. — Corta las tejas al ras a lo largo de la limatesa y remátala después.
- ice and water shield AIS and WA-ter SHILDmembrana autoadherible mehm-BRAH-nah ah-oo-toh-ah-deh-REE-bleh
Self-sticking waterproof membrane used at eaves, valleys, and penetrations.
Run ice and water shield two rows up from the eave. — Corre membrana autoadherible dos filas hacia arriba desde el alero.
- ice dam AIS DAMpresa de hielo PREH-sah deh YEH-loh
Ice built up at the eave that backs melting water up under the shingles.
Ice dams ruined the ceiling; that eave needs ice and water shield. — Las presas de hielo arruinaron el plafón; ese alero necesita membrana autoadherible.
- ladder LA-derescalera ehs-kah-LEH-rah Safety-critical
Climbing equipment that must extend three feet past the roof edge and be tied off.
Foot the ladder or tie it off before anyone climbs. — Detén la escalera por abajo o amárrala antes de que alguien suba.
- leak LIIKgotera goh-TEH-rah
A spot where water gets through the roof into the building.
The leak shows up in the bedroom but it starts at the valley. — La gotera se ve en la recámara pero empieza en la limahoya.
Also: filtración (general)
- membrane MEM-breinmembrana mehm-BRAH-nah
Any continuous waterproof sheet system on a low-slope roof.
Do not drag tools across the membrane or you will puncture it. — No arrastres herramienta sobre la membrana o la vas a picar.
- nail gun NEIL gonclavadora klah-vah-DOH-rah Safety-critical
A pneumatic gun that drives roofing nails fast; treat it like a loaded tool.
Set the nail gun pressure so the heads sit flush, not blown through. — Ajusta la presión de la clavadora para que las cabezas queden al ras, no traspasadas.
Also: pistola de clavos (general)
- nail pattern NEIL PA-ternpatrón de clavado pah-TROHN deh klah-VAH-doh
The number and placement of nails required on each shingle.
High-wind zone means a six-nail pattern on every shingle. — Zona de viento fuerte significa patrón de clavado de seis clavos en cada teja.
- overhang OU-ver-jangvolado voh-LAH-doh
The part of the roof that extends past the exterior wall.
The plans show a two-foot overhang on all sides. — Los planos marcan un volado de dos pies por todos lados.
- overlay OU-ver-leirecubrimiento reh-koo-bree-MYEHN-toh
Installing new shingles over the old layer instead of tearing off.
The city only allows one overlay; this roof already has two layers. — La ciudad solo permite un recubrimiento; este techo ya tiene dos capas.
Also: segunda capa (general)
- parapet PA-ra-petpretil preh-TEEL
The low wall that extends above the roof line around a flat roof.
Wrap the membrane up the parapet and under the coping. — Sube la membrana por el pretil y métela bajo la albardilla.
- penetration pe-ne-TREI-shonpenetración peh-neh-trah-SYOHN
Anything that passes through the roof, like pipes, vents, or curbs.
Flash every penetration before the final membrane goes down. — Ponle botaguas a cada penetración antes de tender la membrana final.
- pitch PICHpendiente pehn-DYEHN-teh
The steepness of a roof, given as inches of rise per foot of run.
That roof is an eight-twelve pitch, so everybody ties off. — Ese techo tiene pendiente ocho a doce, así que todos se amarran.
Also: inclinación (general)
- ponding PON-dingencharcamiento ehn-char-kah-MYEHN-toh
Water that stays standing on a flat roof more than two days after rain.
There is ponding by the drain; the roof needs more slope there. — Hay encharcamiento junto al desagüe; el techo necesita más caída ahí.
- rake REIKborde inclinado BOR-deh een-klee-NAH-doh
The sloped edge of the roof at a gable end.
Overhang the shingles half an inch past the rake. — Deja que la teja vuele media pulgada más allá del borde inclinado.
Also: rake (general)
- ridge RICHcaballete kah-bah-YEH-teh
The horizontal top line of the roof where two slopes meet.
Snap a line down the ridge before you cap it. — Marca una línea con el hilo por el caballete antes de coronarlo.
Also: cumbrera (general)
- ridge cap RICH KAPteja de caballete TEH-hah deh kah-bah-YEH-teh
The finished shingle pieces that cover the ridge line.
Save the ridge cap for last and nail it with longer nails. — Deja la teja de caballete al final y clávala con clavos más largos.
- ridge vent RICH VENTventila de caballete vehn-TEE-lah deh kah-bah-YEH-teh
A vent along the ridge that lets hot air escape from the attic.
Cut a two-inch slot at the ridge for the ridge vent. — Corta una ranura de dos pulgadas en el caballete para la ventila.
- roof anchor RUF AN-koranclaje de techo ahn-KLAH-heh deh TEH-choh Safety-critical
The fixed point screwed to the structure that the fall protection line ties into.
Set the roof anchor into the rafters, not just the decking. — Fija el anclaje de techo en las vigas, no nada más en el entablado.
- roof jacks RUF YAKSsoportes de techo soh-POR-tehs deh TEH-choh Safety-critical
Metal brackets nailed to the roof that hold planks for working on steep slopes.
Set roof jacks and a plank before you shingle the steep side. — Coloca soportes de techo y un tablón antes de tejar el lado empinado.
- roofing nail RU-fing NEILclavo para techo KLAH-voh PAH-rah TEH-choh
A short galvanized nail with a wide head made for shingles and felt.
Inch and a quarter roofing nails will not reach through that double layer. — Los clavos para techo de pulgada y cuarto no traspasan esa capa doble.
- scupper SKO-pergárgola GAR-goh-lah
An opening through a parapet that lets water drain off a flat roof.
Clear the leaves out of the scuppers before the storm. — Destapa las gárgolas de hojas antes de la tormenta.
Also: desagüe de pretil (general)
- sealant SI-lantsellador seh-yah-DOR
Flexible caulk or mastic used to close small gaps and fastener heads.
Dab sealant on every exposed nail head on the caps. — Ponle sellador a cada cabeza de clavo expuesta en los remates.
- shingle SHIN-golteja asfáltica TEH-hah ahs-FAHL-tee-kah
An asphalt roofing piece installed in overlapping rows to shed water.
We need twenty more bundles of shingles to finish the back slope. — Necesitamos veinte paquetes más de teja asfáltica para terminar la caída de atrás.
Also: tejamanil (general) · teja de asfalto (MX)
- skylight SKAI-laittragaluz trah-gah-LOOS Safety-critical
A window set into the roof to bring in daylight.
Never step on a skylight; cover and guard every one of them. — Nunca pises un tragaluz; tapa y protege cada uno.
Also: domo (MX)
- soffit SO-fitsofito soh-FEE-toh
The finished underside of the roof overhang, usually vented.
The soffit vents are painted shut; that attic cannot breathe. — Las ventilas del sofito están tapadas de pintura; ese ático no respira.
Also: cielo del alero (general)
- square SKUERcuadro KWAH-droh
Roofing unit of one hundred square feet of roof area.
This house is about twenty-eight squares with the garage. — Esta casa son como veintiocho cuadros con todo y garaje.
- starter strip STAR-ter STRIPhilada de arranque ee-LAH-dah deh ah-RRAHN-keh
The first sealed row along the eave that backs up the first course of shingles.
Do not skip the starter strip or the first course will blow off. — No te saltes la hilada de arranque o la primera fila se la lleva el viento.
- step flashing STEP FLASH-ingbotaguas escalonado boh-tah-AH-gwahs ehs-kah-loh-NAH-doh
Individual L-shaped flashing pieces woven into each shingle course along a wall.
Use step flashing along the sidewall, one piece per course. — Usa botaguas escalonado a lo largo del muro, una pieza por hilada.
- tarp TARPlona LOH-nah
A heavy sheet used to cover an open roof or protect areas from rain and debris.
Tarp the open section before we leave, no exceptions. — Tapa con lona la sección abierta antes de irnos, sin excepciones.
- tear-off TER-ofarrancado ah-rrahn-KAH-doh
Removing the old roofing down to the deck before installing new material.
The tear-off starts at six so we beat the heat. — El arrancado empieza a las seis para ganarle al calor.
Also: demolición del techo (general)
- toe board TOU BORDtabla de apoyo TAH-blah deh ah-POH-yoh Safety-critical
A board nailed across a steep roof so workers and materials do not slide off.
Nail toe boards every few courses on this steep section. — Clava tablas de apoyo cada tantas hiladas en esta parte empinada.
- torch down TORCH DAUNrollo de soplete ROH-yoh deh soh-PLEH-teh Safety-critical
Modified bitumen roofing melted onto the surface with an open-flame torch.
Keep a fire extinguisher up top whenever we run torch down. — Ten un extintor arriba siempre que apliquemos rollo de soplete.
Also: asfalto modificado (general)
- TPO TI-PI-OUTPO TEH-PEH-OH
A white single-ply plastic membrane for flat roofs, joined with hot-air welds.
The whole warehouse roof is sixty-mil TPO. — Todo el techo de la bodega es TPO de sesenta milésimas.
- underlayment ON-der-lei-mentmembrana base mehm-BRAH-nah BAH-seh
The water-resistant layer installed over the deck before the shingles.
Get the underlayment down today in case it rains tonight. — Instala la membrana base hoy por si llueve en la noche.
Also: capa base (general)
- valley VA-lilimahoya lee-mah-OH-yah
The inside channel where two roof slopes meet and water concentrates.
Never put a nail in the center of the valley. — Nunca metas un clavo en el centro de la limahoya.
Also: valle (general)
- vent stack VENT STAKtubo de ventilación TOO-boh deh vehn-tee-lah-SYOHN
The plumbing vent pipe that sticks up through the roof.
Every vent stack gets a new boot on this reroof. — Cada tubo de ventilación lleva chaqueta nueva en este retechado.
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