Shutoff / Stop Valve

Related terms

• Slope / Fall

  Drain pipe must pitch about 1/4 in. per foot — too little won't clear solids, too much drains liquid off solids. A frequent DIY error.

• Short Cycling

  Equipment turning on and off too frequently — usually from oversizing or airflow problems — causing wear, poor comfort, and high bills.

• Smart Switch

  A Wi-Fi/Z-Wave switch for app/voice/scheduled control. Many need a neutral wire in the box — a constraint in older homes.

• Sewer Ejector / Grinder Pump

  A pump moving waste up from below-sewer-level fixtures (basement bath) to the building drain. Required when adding a basement bathroom.

• Smart Thermostat

  A learning/Wi-Fi thermostat with scheduling, remote control, and usage reporting; many qualify for utility rebates.

• Service Panel / Load Center

  The breaker box distributing power to circuits. Capacity (e.g., 100 vs. 200 amp) and free breaker spaces decide what a remodel can add.

• Smoke & CO Alarm Requirements

  Code rules for interconnected smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms that a remodel of a sleeping area or fuel appliance typically triggers.

• Service Entrance

  Where utility power enters the home — drop/lateral, meter, and main disconnect. Upgrading it is often the gating cost when adding major l…