Float Ball 
The part of a flush tank on a toilet, which helps to regulate water flow. 

Float Floor Drain 
Drain used to divert water from a basement to a collection point where it is removed by a sump pump. 

Float Glass 
Often used with large windows, this plate glass from on top of thick, smooth, molten tin, because of its strength. 

Float, Power 
Compactor for wet concrete that is powered by a motor. 

Float Time 
The time created in a schedule when work is completed ahead of the scheduled time. 

Float Valve 
Controlling the opening and closing of a valve by using a float on a lever. When the float that is rising with the water in the tank reaches a certain level, the valve shuts off the incoming water. This mechanism is used in the tank of a toilet. 

Floating 
1. Process of spreading plaster, stucco or concrete using a float, which is a flat plate-like tools, which strengthens the surface. 
2. The second application of plaster in a three-coat system. 

Floating Angle 
Installation of sheet rock, omitting some corner fasteners so that the gypsum wallboard has limited movement and cracking is reduced. 

Floating Edge 
Installation of sheet rock with the long edge of the wallboard unsupported by a framing member. This keeps the joints from cracking during settlement. 

Floating Floor 
Floor designed to provide sound insulation qualities. It is separated from the building's structure by the use of special resilient materials, often fabricated from fiberglass or flexible mounting devices, including springs. Floating floor construction is used when there is a need to separate the rest of the building from noise, vibration or a combination of these elements often produced by machinery. 

Floating Interest Rate 
An interest rate that is not fixed over the term of a loan, bond or other fixed-income security but is allowed to vary according to the change in a specified index, such as the prime interest rate or the Treasury bill rate. 

Floating Joint 
Wallboard panel joint that is paced between framing elements. 

Floating Slab 
Concrete floor that is unconnected to the foundation wall. 

Floating Wall 
Walls built to withstand movement in the basement floor. 

Floatstone 
Stone, also known as a rubbing stone, which smoothes gauged brickwork. 

Flood Certification 
The determination as to whether or not a property is located in a flood zone. If it is, the lender will require federally provided flood insurance. 

Flood Insurance 
Coverage that is required for property in a designated flood plain or zone. 

Flood Lamp 
Normally used to spread light over a large area rather than directing it into a narrow area, it's also called a floodlight. Flood Level Rim Edge or rim of a plumbing fixture, over which excess water will flow. 

Flood Plain or Zone 
Level land area subject to periodic flooding from a contiguous body of water. During the flood stage, the property may be underwater. 

Floodlight 
Normally used to spread light over a large area rather than directing it into a narrow area, it's also called a flood lamp. 

Floodlight Mount 
Waterproof box, along with a covered electrical outlet, which is used for installation of an exterior floodlight. 

Floodgate 
Regulating device for the water that flows through a waterway or past an obstruction. 

Floor 
1. The inside bottom surface of a room or hall, on which people walk. 
2. A lower limit set on anything. 

Floor Area Ratio (FAR) 
The ratio between a structure's total floor area and the total land area of the land upon which it is constructed. The FAR is calculated by dividing the total building floor area by the total building lot square area: floor area ratio = building floor area/building lot area. A maximum allowable floor area ratio is typically specified by the local building code or zoning. 

Floor Drain 
Drainage fitting which sits flush in a floor and is normally made of pipe that does not contain pressure other than that exerted by the force of gravity of the water it is draining. 

Floor Edger 
Smaller, disk sander, which is used in tight places. 

Floor Framing 
Structural part of the floor that is supported by the foundation or structural parts that support the vertical weight of the structure. 

Floor Jack 
Screw jack that is used for temporary support when floor framing is being aligned or repaired. 

Floor Joists 
Beams that provide structural floor support. The flooring is directly attached to the floor joists. 

Floor Loan 
The minimum amount of money a lender is willing to provide on a commercial loan for a building that is to be tenant occupied. This loan is progressively funded as the building is constructed and occupied. 

Floor Plan 
The arrangement of rooms in a structure. A two-dimensional scale drawing of the arrangements, size and orientation of doors, rooms, walls, and windows of a single floor of a building structure. 

Floor Sander 
Power sander which finishes and smoothes hardwood floors. 

Floor Sink 
Receptacle that is connected to a drain at floor level to receive floor drainage. 

Floor Varnish 
Wear-resistant varnish, which is used on hardwood floors. 

Floorboard 
Hardwoods, such as oak, maple, hardened pine, etc. which are used in a finished wood floor. 

Flooring 
Material that is used to finish off a floor. 

Flooring, Parquet 
Patterned wood flooring, inlaid in geometric forms of contrasting woods. 

Flooring, Plank 
Flooring boards in random widths. 

Flooring Saw 
Hand saw with teeth about 1/3 of the length of the blade along the top, with the bottom of the blade being fully toothed and curving down and away from the front tip, allowing the saw to cut into solid surfaces. 

Flooring, Strip 
Narrow stripped wood flooring. 

Flooring, Vinyl 
Floor covering usually consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 

Florida Rooms 
Glass enclosed porches at the rear or side of a home, usually in warm weather areas. 

Flow 
To move as a liquid. 

Flow Brazing 
Joint bonding accomplished by pouring molten brazing material over the area for enough time to reach the brazing temperature and create the bonding. 

Flow Chart 
A graphic outline showing the steps needed to complete any job. 

Flow Control Valve 
Check valve that prevents a reverse flow of water when a hot water heating system is turned off. 

Flow Meter 
Gauge that measures the fluid flow in terms of quantity per unit time, for example gallons per minute. 

Flow Welding 
Welding process accomplished by pouring molten filler metal over a joint for enough time to reach the welding temperature, the joint to be filled and bonding created.