A term used in reference to a material which melts with the heat from the sun's rays, and seals over cracks that were earlier formed from other causes.
Self-help
The efforts of a landlord to cure a default on the lease without aid of legal proceedings. In most states, self-help remedies are not considered a legitimate substitute for a legal eviction.
Self-leveling
A viscous material that is applied by pouring. In its uncured state, it spreads out evenly.
Self-rimming lavatory
Sink, which is also called rim-less, that has no metal ring, but has a built-in lip of the same material that supports it in the vanity top.
Self-rimming sink
Sink with no metal ring that has a built-in lip of the same material which supports it in the vanity top.
Self-sealing shingle
Asphalt shingles with adhesive strips that will soften and stick to the following course of shingles when heated by the sun; used to help against wind uplift.
Self-seed
The process of a plant releasing its own seed, which will readily germinate nearby and produce new plants.
Self-siphoning
Condition in a trap, which compromises the water seal in a trap, so that self-siphoning occurs when the air pressure, which keeps the seal in place, is compromised. When there is no air pressure at one end of a tube to balance it out, the water rushes down the pipe in a solid stream. When the water stops running, the siphoning results in the water seal being lower than it should be, which allows gases and vermin back through the top of the seal. If the U-shaped section of pipe has legs of different length, this can occur as it does in S traps. P traps allow it to occur much less frequently.
Self-spacing tile
Tile with lugs, spacers or protuberances on the sides which automatically space the tile for the grout joint.
Self-supporting partition
Wallboard partition that can support only its own weight on the layers of wallboard, which are fastened to gypsum coreboard without internal, framing.
