Float
1. Amount of funds represented by checks that have been issued but not yet collected.
2. Time between the deposit of checks in a bank and payment. Writing checks against money not presently in an account is called "playing the float".
3. To issue new securities through an underwriter.
4. The difference between a variable interest rate and the index to which it is pegged.
5. To incur a debt.
6. Flat plate, which is used to smooth the surface of concrete or plaster before it is troweled.
7. Hollow shaped mechanism, which rises and falls with a fluid, activating some mechanism, possibly a shut-off valve.
8. Sponge rubber-faced trowel used to apply grout to tile by forcing it into the joints without scratching the surface.

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.