Sand Cone Test 
Test used for comparison of the densities of a soil sample with a Proctor test sample of soil from the same area. The Proctor test sample weight, with 100 percent density, known as the factor, is used to determine the correct portion of water that must be in soil for optimum compaction. 

Sander 
Vibrating power device which smoothes a surface, wearing away excess material, by moving sandpaper over it. 

Sander, Belt 
A straight line power sander, which moves a revolving belt with an abrasive coating over the surface of the material in question. Since it works very quickly, it must be kept moving to avoid making grooves and it must be worked in the direction of the grain. 

Sander, Orbital 
Vibrating sander that moves in a circular motion along the surface, which removes sanding marks with a finer sandpaper to create a smooth surface. 

Sander, Straight Line 
Vibrating sander that moves in a back and forth motion, in the direction of the grain, at a slower speed than with a belt sander. 

Sanding 
To smooth or polish with sand, sandpaper or other abrasives. 

Sanding a Trench 
Placing sand evenly, along the bottom of a trench with a loader, to provide a smooth and uniform surface for supporting pipe along the length of the trench, protecting it from damaging materials. 

Sanding Block 
Block, hand held and covered with abrasive material, used to sand flat surfaces.

Sanding Drum 
Cylindrical motor powered sander, with sandpaper around the circumference, which is used to sand contours and curves. 

Sanding Sealer 
Sealer that fills in pores and hardens the surface wood fibers so that a smooth surface is obtained when sanded. This type of sealers is often used on oak and pine. 

Sanding Wheel
Metal disc, with adhesive-backed sandpaper attached, that is mounted on a power saw instead of the circular saw blade. Used for sharpening tools, shaping tile or sanding wood, it is more precise when mounted on a fixed shaft. 

Sandpaper 
Sandpaper is used to smooth surfaces and eliminating small amount of material. The abrasive coating of crushed garnet, aluminum oxide, flint, etc. is glued to one side of paper or a thin flexible material. 

Sand Sawn Finish Limestone
Limestone which has a moderately smooth sawn surface. 

Sandstone 
Sedimentary rock, used most often as decorative facing, which is quartz particles adhered together with silica, iron oxide and calcium carbonate. 

Sandwich Lease
Lease held by a lessee who becomes a lessor by subletting. Typically, the sandwich leaseholder is neither the owner nor the user of the property. 

Sandwich Panel 
Insulation covered on each side by a material, such as metal.

Sapwood 
Lighter colored wood that is found in the outer part of a tree, next to the bark. It contains living, dead and dying cells and lacks resistance to decay. 

SARA 
see Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. 

Sanitary Sewer 
House drain that carries waste away from the house to a septic system or a municipal sewer system. 

Sash 
Frame surrounding a door or window to block adverse weather. It may be made of wood, metal, or other material. The frame may be fixed or moveable. 

Sash Balance 
Counterbalance for the weight of the window sash, which is usually accomplished by the use of sash weights, making it easier to open and close or to remain in a certain position. 

Sash Bar 
Also referred to as muntins, these bars divide window openings. 

Sash Block 
Masonry block that holds a window or doorframe by use of a ¾ inch groove. 

Sash Lift 
Handle that is fastened to the bottom section of a double-hung window for use with opening and closing. 

Sash Lock 
Lock which allows window to be secured against opening. 

Sash Weights 
Double hung windows have cylindrical weights to counterbalance the weight of the sash, making it easier to open and close or remain in a certain position. The weights are normally held by non-stretching cords. 

Satellite Cities
Subordinate neighborhoods that are tied to an urban area economically. 

Satin Finish 
Finish which has the appearance of satin cloth and is often used on metal fixtures, especially bathroom. 

Satisfaction 
Fulfillment of a person's needs or desires. Discharge of an obligation through payment or rendering of service. 

Satisfaction of Lien 
Release and discharge of a lien on property after the terms of the lien have been met. 

Satisfaction of Mortgage 
Written statement of the lender that the buyer of real estate has paid off the entire mortgage. 

Satisfaction Piece
Instrument for recording and acknowledging final payment of a mortgage loan. 

Saturated 
Thoroughly soaked. Filled with the maximum that can be absorbed. 

Saturated Felt 
Felt, which is used under shingles and behind shower walls, because it is water resistant due to having been saturated with an asphalt compound. 

Saturated Steam 
Steam at the temperature that matches its pressure where any rise in pressure or drop in temperature will turn some of the steam to water.