Spray Gun 
Painting apparatus, which forces paint or other liquids through a nozzle, by use of compressed air. A fine, even coating can be applied to surfaces by this type of application, although it is thinner than that of a brush or roller. 

Spread 
The difference between the price offered by a buyer and the price asked for by the seller of real estate. 

Spread Footing
Wide based foundation footing used to spread the load of a structure over a wider area when the foundation is on weak soil. 

Spreader 
1. Metal device, which keeps the groove of a power saw cut from closing and bending the blade as it moves, by fitting into that groove.
2. Spacers of wood or metal, which keep the concrete forms the correct distance from each other. 

Spreader Bar
Stiff bar that is used to separate the rigging of a crane hook that is attached at different places to the large object being lifted. By doing so, the object can be held vertically even when being lifted by a single hook. 

Spreader Box
The paving machine, which spreads asphalt, when it is fixed onto the back of a truck. 

Spreading Agreement
An agreement that extends the collateral of a loan to include several properties. 

Sprig
1. Small dowel stick used to attach two pieces of wood together. 
2. A finishing nail without a head. 

Spring 
A coil of wire that returns to its original form whenever it is forced out of shape. Springs can be used to absorb shocks and are found in watches, garage doors, etc. 

Spring Clamp 
Hinged clamp where spring tension holds the jaws closed until force is applied to the handles at the opposite end of the jaws. When this is done, the jaws open and can then grip onto something. 

Spring Steel 
Heat treated iron and carbon alloys are used to make springs. Chrome-vanadium or silicon manganese steel is used to make large springs, which smaller springs are made from carbon steel.

Springing Power of Attorney 
To obtain the right through authorization to act as a legal representative and agent for another. 

Sprinkler System 
1. In-ground watering system, usually controlled by a timer, that waters the grass and shrubbery of a property by use of water piping fitted with sprinkler heads.
2. Interior, fire protection system, which dispenses water from overhead sprinklers, when heat-activated vales react. 

Spruce 
Light colored wood used structurally in construction. 

Spruce, Sitka
Very tough and strong wood which is lightweight and moderately hard. 

Spur Gear 
Gears which are used in transmissions and gearboxes which have straight cut teeth, parallel to the axis of the shaft on which the gear is mounted. 

Square 
1. Construction measure in which one square equals 100 square feet of material.
2. A plane figure with four equal sides and four right angles.
3. An instrument with two sides that form an angle of 90 degrees, used for drawing or testing at right angles. 
4. The product of a number multiplied by itself. 
5. An area bounded by streets or buildings on all four sides. 

Square Boxes 
Square shaped electrical junction boxes. 

Square-butt Strip Shingle 
Asphalt roofing shingle three feet long by one foot wide with three tabs made by two slots cut into the shingle from one edge and which extends part way across the width of the shingle. 

Square, Combination 
Adjustable square which can be used to check level, square, plumb or angles in carpentry or in making cabinets with the level protractor which is part of its sliding head. Sliding the head to a certain dimension, then locking it into place and holding a pencil at the end of the tongue while sliding the square along the edge, makes it useful for drawing a line parallel to an edge. 

Square Drive Screw 
Screw that has a square indention in the head and is used when a set screw must carry a load.

Square File
File, used to shape and smooth, which has a square cross section. 

Square Foot Cost 
Cost of the standard unit of area that is used to measure a parcel of real estate. Commercial property rentals are generally quoted on the basis of square foot cost. 

Square Foot Method
Means of appraising a building by simply multiplying its square foot cost by the total amount of square feet in the structure being evaluated. Two or more buildings may then be compared by analyzing their total square foot costs. 

Square Footage 
Standard unit of area that is used to measure a parcel of real estate. The amount of square feet of livable space in a building or house. 

Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) 
Designation given by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to cities of 50,000 or more residents. 

Square Joint 
Joint with the pieces fitted at exactly 90 degrees. Square Measure Measurement of area. 

Square Up 
1. To balance accounts by making a settlement. 
2. To assume the posture of opposition. 
3. To make square. 

Squaring Shaft
Bridge crane shaft, which connects the drive, motor to a wheel at each end of the bridge and used to transmit power. Alternately called a cross shaft or drive shaft. 

Squatter's Rights 
The legal allowance to use the property of another in absence of an attempt by the owner to force eviction; this right may eventually be converted to title to the property over time by adverse possession, if recognized by state law. 

SRA 
Senior Residential Appraiser. A designation granted by the Appraisal Institute for Residential Appraisers. An SRA may refer to himself as a member of the Appraisal Institute, though not an MAI. 

SREA 
Senior Real Estate Analyst. The highest designation once awarded by the Society of Real Estate Appraisers. SREA's could exchange this designation for the MAI.