Home Improvement All-in-One For Dummies

by Barnhart, Roy; Carey, James; Carey, Morris; Hamilton, Gene; Hamilton, Katie; Prestly, Donald R.; Strong, Jeff

• ISBN13: 9780764556807
• ISBN10: 0764556800
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-07
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

Put on your grubbies, get out your tools, and get ready to tackle home repairs and improvements with the goof-proof instructions in this guide that combines the best of nine For Dummies home improvement books in one comprehensive volume. Whether you're an accomplished do-it-yourselfer or a novice, the easy-to-follow instructions, complete with photos and illustrations, will guide you through: Basic home maintenance and improvement projects from the foundation to the roof, including windows, doors, and electrical repairs and replacements Painting and wallpapering Bathroom and kitchen remodeling, including installing cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and appliances Carpentry, woodworking and flooring Plumbing, including unclogging fixtures and fixing leaky faucetsWant to spruce up bedroom? Spiff up the kitchen? Shore up the porch? Build stairs? Replace creaky doors and drafty windows? Make the most of your space? Inside or out, major renovation or minor repair, the how-to is all right here. Think about it-if you do just one project yourself instead of calling a plumber, electrician, painter, handyman, or other service person, you've saved far more than the cost of this book! And you'll have it on hand to guide you through the next project!

Author Biography

Roy Barnhart is a lifelong do-it-yourselfer and former professional building and remodeling contractor. He enjoyed eight years as Senior Building and Remodeling Editor for two national home improvement magazines. As a freelance writer, editor, and consultant, Roy has contributed articles to more than a dozen home improvement magazines, including Family Handyman and House Beautiful. He has also contributed to four books.

James and Morris Carey, known as the Carey Brothers, are nationally recognized experts on home building and renovation. They share their 20-plus years of experience as award-winning, licensed contractors with millions nationwide through a weekly radio program, daily radio vignette, syndicated newspaper column, and comprehensive Web site (www.onthehouse.com), all titled “On the House.” Morris and James continue to own and operate a successful home remodeling and construction firm, Carey Bros., and have been named to Remodeling magazine’s Hall of Fame Big 50, which recognizes top achievers in the industry. They’ve also been honored as one of the nation’s top 500 companies by Qualified Remodeler magazine.

Gene and Katie Hamilton have been working on houses and writing about home improvements for over 30 years. They’ve remodeled 14 houses and write a weekly newspaper column entitled “Do It Yourself . . . Or Not?” which appears in newspapers across the country and on Web sites. The Hamiltons are authors of 16 home improvement books, including Home Improvement For Dummies, Carpentry For Dummies, Painting and Wallpapering For Dummies, and Plumbing For Dummies. They’re the founders of www.HouseNet.com, the first home improvement site on the Internet and America Online. You’ve seen these veteran do-it-yourselfers appear as home improvement experts on CNN, Dateline, the Today show, Home Matters, Today at Home, and Our Home.

Don R. Prestly is a former senior editor for HANDY Magazine for The Handyman Club of America, as well as a former associate editor for Family Handyman magazine. In addition to his nearly 20 years of writing and doing home improvement projects, he spent several years as a manager for one of the Midwest’s largest home centers. Throw in the everyday upkeep needs of being a homeowner, dealing with the same problems and repairs as other homeowners, and it’s obvious that he has the background and experience to help you make your kitchen dreams come true.

Jeff Strong began creating sawdust at a very young age while helping his father, a master craftsman, build fine furniture. An accomplished woodworker, Jeff has designed and built countless pieces of furniture and currently accepts commissions to build his creations. His woodworking style marries Arts and Crafts, Southwestern, and Asian influences. Woodworking For Dummies is his third book.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Foolish Assumptions	1	(1)
How to Use This Book	2	(1)
How This Book Is Organized	2	(1)
Book I: Planning Your Home Improvement Projects	2	(1)
Book II: Basic Home Maintenance and Improvement	2	(1)
Book III: Painting and Wallpapering	3	(1)
Book IV: Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling	3	(1)
Book V: Carpentry, Woodworking, and Flooring	3	(1)
Book VI: Plumbing	3	(1)
Icons Used in This Book	3	(1)
Where to Go from Here	4	(1)
Book I: Planning Your Home Improvement Projects	5	(46)
Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?	7	(8)
Taking Everything into Account	8	(2)
Calculating the cost	8	(1)
Tallying the time	9	(1)
Scrutinizing your skills	9	(1)
Starting small	10	(1)
Hiring Help the Smart Way	10	(5)
Finding a good contractor	10	(2)
Covering all your bases	12	(3)
Gearing Up for Your Home Improvement Adventures	15	(6)
The Top Tools for Any Homebody	16	(2)
Gizmos and Gear	18	(3)
Safety and Preparedness	21	(16)
Practicing Fire Safety	21	(4)
Only you can prevent fires	22	(1)
Smoke alarms: Gotta have 'em	22	(3)
Fire extinguishers	25	(1)
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Danger in the Home	25	(2)
Guarding Your Home against Natural Disasters	27	(3)
Shoring up your castle	27	(1)
Reacting appropriately in the face of disaster	28	(1)
Putting things back together	28	(2)
Playing It Safe with Gas Lines	30	(1)
Maintaining Burglar Alarms	31	(1)
Keeping Automatic Garage-Door Openers in Working Order	32	(2)
Maintaining Electrical Safety	34	(1)
Testing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters	35	(2)
Working with (and within) a Budget	37	(14)
Establishing the Scope of the Project	37	(1)
Looking at Things Room by Room	38	(3)
Getting Estimates and Prices	41	(4)
Choosing an architect or designer	41	(1)
Pricing materials	41	(2)
You have value: Estimating what your time is worth	43	(1)
Making adjustments until everything fits	43	(1)
Allowing for fun (and your mental health!)	44	(1)
Considering Financing Options	45	(3)
Refinancing your home	45	(1)
Getting a home improvement loan	46	(1)
Charging on low-or no-interest credit cards	47	(1)
Paying the old-fashioned way: Cash!	47	(1)
Watching Every Penny to Avoid Overspending	48	(3)
Track and review expenses regularly	48	(1)
Looking out for sales	48	(1)
Haul it yourself	49	(2)
Book II: Basic Home Maintenance and Improvement	51	(158)
Making Inside Repairs and Improvements	53	(22)
Working on Walls	53	(12)
Filling cracks	54	(2)
Repairing nail pops	56	(1)
Patching holes	57	(3)
Repairing sagging plaster on walls and ceilings	60	(2)
Decking the walls	62	(3)
Building Shelves	65	(6)
Putting up a simple wall shelf	65	(1)
Installing a shelving system	66	(3)
Adding a wire shelf system to a closet	69	(2)
Insulating Your Home	71	(4)
Upgrading attic insulation	71	(2)
Upgrading crawlspace insulation	73	(2)
Windows Don't Have to Be a Pane	75	(24)
Know Your Windows	75	(2)
Window Maintenance	77	(2)
Unsticking a Stuck Window	79	(1)
Replacing Sash Cords	80	(2)
Replacing a Broken Window Pane	82	(4)
Wood-frame window	83	(2)
Metal frame window	85	(1)
Repairing a Rotted Windowsill	86	(1)
Replacing Window Channels	87	(3)
Energy-Saving Projects	90	(3)
Weather-stripping, step by step	90	(2)
Caulking, step by step	92	(1)
Window Enhancements and Add-ons	93	(6)
Installing a window shade	94	(2)
Installing a miniblind	96	(1)
Installing curtain rods and hardware	97	(2)
Doors: An Open-and-Shut Case	99	(20)
Maintaining Locks and Hinges	99	(5)
Lubricating hinges	100	(1)
Lubricating door locks	100	(3)
Tightening loose hinges	103	(1)
Fixing Bifold Doors	104	(2)
Maintaining Combination Storm/Screen Doors	106	(3)
Replacing the screen	106	(3)
Tightening loose storm door panels	109	(1)
Sliding By with Sliding Doors	109	(3)
Getting your patio door to slide better	110	(1)
Maintaining sliding closet doors	111	(1)
Locking Up	112	(4)
Replacing standard door locks	112	(1)
Installing a deadbolt	112	(3)
Securing the patio door	115	(1)
Maintaining Garage Doors	116	(3)
Heating, Ventilating, and Cooling Systems	119	(14)
Making Friends with the Heat Monster in the Basement	120	(7)
Forced air systems	120	(3)
Hot water systems	123	(2)
Steam systems	125	(1)
Electric systems	126	(1)
Big or Small, an Air Conditioner Cools Y'all	127	(2)
Window units: Buy smart and live in cool comfort	128	(1)
Central systems: Let an A/C pro handle maintenance	128	(1)
Ventilation: Letting You and Your House Breathe	129	(4)
Interior ventilation	129	(1)
Structural ventilation	130	(3)
Attending to Appliances	133	(20)
Making Cleaning Job One	134	(3)
All-Purpose, Handy Dandy Cleaner	135	(1)
D-I-Y Cleanser Scrub	135	(1)
Gentle Glass Cleaner	136	(1)
People-Friendly Oven Cleaner	136	(1)
Super-Duper Disinfectant	136	(1)
Easy Mildew Remover	137	(1)
Roaming the Range Top	137	(3)
Electric range tops	138	(1)
Gas range tops	139	(1)
Opening the Door and Rolling Up Your Sleeves: The Oven	140	(4)
Checking the oven temperature control	140	(1)
Cleaning an electric oven	141	(1)
Cleaning a gas oven	142	(1)
Cleaning a self-cleaning electric oven	142	(1)
Cleaning a continuous-cleaning oven	143	(1)
Tidying up behind the range	143	(1)
Hanging Out in the Range Hood	144	(1)
Microwave Maintenance Mania	144	(1)
Dishwashers	145	(1)
Refrigerators and Freezers	146	(2)
Defrosting the freezer	147	(1)
Defrosting the freezer drain line	147	(1)
Garbage Disposals	148	(1)
Washing Machines	148	(1)
Clothes Dryers	149	(4)
Foundation Fundamentals	153	(10)
A Little Foundation about the Foundation	153	(2)
Is There a Fungus Amongus?	155	(1)
Cleaning up efflorescence	155	(1)
Preventing efflorescence	155	(1)
Preventing Moisture from Building Up under Your Home	156	(4)
Rooting out the cause of moisture	156	(1)
Using gutters to reduce moisture	157	(1)
Draining water away from the house	157	(1)
Giving the problem some air	158	(1)
Installing a vapor barrier	159	(1)
Saying ``oui'' to a French Drain	160	(1)
A Few Pointers on Brick and Block Foundations	160	(3)
Roofing and Siding	163	(18)
Your Roof: The Fifth Wall of Your Home	163	(8)
Staying safe on the roof	164	(1)
Cleanliness is next to godliness	164	(2)
The naked truth about flashing	166	(1)
Wood shake and shingle roof preservation	167	(2)
Replacing a composition shingle	169	(2)
All That Dam Ice	171	(2)
Find That Leak!	173	(1)
It's Okay If Your Mind's in the Gutter	174	(2)
Cleaning gutters and downspouts	174	(1)
Patching leaks	175	(1)
Siding: A Raincoat for Your House	176	(5)
Treating wood siding	176	(1)
Maintaining stucco	177	(1)
Cleaning vinyl siding	178	(1)
Maintaining aluminum siding	179	(2)
Light Up Your Life with Electrical Repairs and Replacements	181	(28)
Replacing a Fuse and Resetting a Circuit Breaker	181	(3)
Wiring Switches and Receptacles	184	(10)
Swapping a light switch	185	(6)
Replacing duplex receptacles	191	(3)
Repairing a Faulty Lamp	194	(2)
Replacing a Ceiling Fixture	196	(8)
Installing a ceiling fan	198	(2)
Installing track lighting	200	(2)
Adding a receptacle or switch by using surface wiring	202	(2)
Wiring a Telephone Extension	204	(2)
Replacing a Porch Light with a Security Light	206	(1)
Adding a Low-Voltage Outdoor Light	207	(2)
Book III: Painting and Wallpapering	209	(124)
Planning Your Project	211	(30)
A Primer on Finishes	211	(4)
Water based or oil based?	212	(1)
First things first: Primers and sealers	212	(1)
Categorizing finishes	213	(2)
Lead, the Environment, and You	215	(1)
Choosing an Exterior Finish	215	(2)
Paint versus stain	215	(1)
Exterior latex paint	216	(1)
Exterior alkyd paint	216	(1)
Exterior stains and clear coatings	217	(1)
Choosing the Right Interior Paint	217	(1)
Finding the Perfect Interior Stain	218	(1)
Estimating How Much Paint to Buy	219	(3)
The Workhorses of Painting: Brushes and Rollers	222	(3)
Brushes	222	(2)
Rollers	224	(1)
Foam painting pads	225	(1)
Considering Power-Painting Systems	225	(1)
Brushing Up on Techniques	226	(3)
It's all in the wrist	226	(2)
May I cut in?	228	(1)
Roller Techniques	229	(2)
Spraying Inside and Out	231	(10)
Keeping an eye on safety	232	(1)
The spray-painting process	233	(3)
The tools of the trade	236	(4)
Should you buy or rent?	240	(1)
Preparing Surfaces for Painting	241	(22)
Preparing Exterior Surfaces	241	(8)
Scrubbing the house down	244	(3)
Sealing cracks and holes with caulk	247	(1)
Patching surface cavities before painting	248	(1)
Preparing Interior Surfaces	249	(14)
Cleaning a room for painting	249	(1)
Solving kitchen and bath problems	250	(1)
Clearing the way	250	(1)
Smoothing the walls	251	(4)
Repairing and preparing to recoat painted wood	255	(2)
Making final preparations	257	(6)
Painting, Finishing, and Cleaning Up	263	(28)
Painting the Exterior of Your Home	263	(12)
Using ladders safely outdoors	264	(2)
Consulting the weather forecast	266	(1)
Planning your painting sequence	266	(1)
Making last-minute preparations	267	(1)
Tooling up for the job	267	(1)
Priming the surface	268	(1)
Painting your (house) body	269	(3)
Painting trim, windows, and doors	272	(3)
Winding things up	275	(1)
Painting the Interior of Your Home	275	(9)
Painting ceilings and walls	276	(2)
Painting woodwork	278	(5)
Putting on the finishing touches	283	(1)
Cleaning Up the Mess	284	(7)
Assembling cleanup tools and supplies	284	(1)
Using the three-container approach	285	(1)
Stopping for a while	286	(1)
Finishing up: End-of-project procedures	287	(4)
Wallpapering Basics	291	(10)
Selecting the Perfect Wallpaper	291	(6)
Determining how much work you can handle	292	(1)
Choosing a workable material	293	(1)
Knowing what's on the backside	294	(1)
Selecting a pattern that suits the room	295	(1)
Matching repeating patterns	295	(2)
Buying Wallcoverings	297	(2)
Sketching the layout	297	(1)
Estimating the number of rolls to buy	298	(1)
Tracking down the right paper	298	(1)
Tooling Up for the Task	299	(1)
Choosing Your Wallpaper Adhesive	300	(1)
Preparing Surfaces for Wallpapering	301	(10)
Clearing and Cleaning the Room	301	(2)
Preparing Wall Surfaces	303	(1)
Smoothing painted walls	303	(1)
Sealing new drywall before papering	304	(1)
Removing Wallpaper	304	(7)
Knowing what you're up against	304	(1)
Preparing for the mess	305	(1)
Gathering tools and supplies for removing wallpaper	306	(1)
Choosing a removal technique	306	(3)
Winding up	309	(2)
Hanging Wallpaper	311	(22)
Plan Before You Hang	311	(3)
Locating seams	311	(1)
Working around unlevel ceilings and out-of-plumb walls	312	(1)
Finding a starting point	313	(1)
At Last You're Ready to Paper	314	(11)
Cutting strips of wallpaper	315	(1)
Pasting the wallpaper --- and relaxing with a good book	316	(2)
Hanging the wallcovering	318	(1)
Trimming the paper	319	(1)
Smoothing seams	320	(1)
Getting some relief	320	(3)
Papering inside corners	323	(1)
Papering outside corners	324	(1)
Applying the final strip	324	(1)
Quick Fixes for Wallpaper	325	(2)
Loosey-goosey seams	325	(1)
Repairing a tear or stained area	326	(1)
Border Incidents	327	(6)
Making your borders straight as an arrow	328	(1)
Hanging borders	329	(1)
Using corner miter cuts on borders	330	(3)
Book IV: Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling	333	(138)
An Overview of the Remodeling Process	335	(8)
Walking through the Stages of a Typical Remodeling Project	336	(4)
Getting the permit	336	(1)
Creating the work zone	336	(1)
Tearing out the old stuff and taking it away	337	(1)
Framing and making structural changes	338	(1)
Laying out and roughing in plumbing lines and electrical wires	338	(1)
Getting code work approved	338	(1)
Finishing wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces	339	(1)
Setting fixtures and furnishings	339	(1)
Finishing up the electrical and mechanical work	339	(1)
Getting final code approval	339	(1)
Bracing Yourself for the Destruction	340	(3)
Watching your house turn into a mini-warehouse	340	(1)
Making it easy on yourself	341	(1)
Being there 24/7	342	(1)
Installing Cabinets	343	(14)
Gathering the Right Tools	343	(1)
Marking Reference Lines and Mounting Locations	344	(5)
Checking your floor for level	345	(1)
Measuring cabinet heights	346	(1)
Locating the wall studs for mounting	347	(1)
Checking your walls for plumb	348	(1)
Noting cabinet position	348	(1)
Hanging Wall Cabinets	349	(4)
Adding the Lower Level: Base Cabinets	353	(4)
Installing the corner cabinet(s)	353	(1)
Finishing the base cabinet run	354	(3)
Installing Countertops and Sinks	357	(26)
Gathering the Right Tools	357	(2)
Installing a Countertop	359	(9)
Ensuring a perfect fit: Scribing and trimming	359	(2)
Sizing and finishing your countertop	361	(2)
Installing a mitered corner	363	(2)
Cutting a hole for the sink	365	(2)
Attaching countertops other than corners	367	(1)
Installing a Sink and Faucet	368	(9)
Gathering the right tools	368	(1)
Setting the stage: Preparing to install your sink	368	(5)
Putting things in position: Finishing your installation	373	(4)
Installing a Ceramic Tile Countertop	377	(6)
Gathering additional tools for tile	377	(1)
Constructing your ceramic countertop	378	(5)
Fridges, Ranges, Disposals, and More: Installing Appliances	383	(16)
Installing Ranges, Ovens, and Cooktops	384	(6)
Changing the power/fuel source	384	(4)
Wrangling with a range	388	(1)
Installing a cooktop	389	(1)
Built-in baking: Installing a built-in oven	390	(1)
Installing a New Fridge Complete with Dispenser Unit	390	(3)
Doing the Dishes --- Automatic Style	393	(2)
Gathering the right tools	393	(1)
Installing the dishwasher unit	394	(1)
Taking Out the Trash --- Sink Style	395	(4)
Go Flush! Selecting and Installing a Toilet	399	(14)
Taking a Tour of Toilets	400	(4)
Considering flushing mechanisms	400	(1)
Getting a good fit	401	(1)
Considering features and comfort	402	(1)
Shopping for la toilette	403	(1)
Roughing Dimension: Measuring Your Options	404	(1)
Dethroning the Throne	405	(2)
Preparing the Floor for a New Toilet	407	(1)
Installing a New Toilet	407	(6)
Rub a Dub Dub! Replacing a Tub	413	(14)
Selecting a Bathtub	413	(1)
Bidding Good Riddance to an Old Tub	414	(4)
Gaining access to the plumbing	415	(1)
Disconnecting the plumbing lines	415	(1)
Taking out the tub	416	(2)
Putting In a New Tub	418	(7)
Installing an acrylic tub	419	(3)
Installing a platform tub	422	(3)
When Removing a Bathtub Is Mission Impossible	425	(2)
Reglazing	425	(1)
Adding a tub liner	425	(2)
Showered with Possibilities	427	(16)
Standing Room Only: Selecting a Shower Unit	427	(1)
Installing a Shower Enclosure	428	(4)
Laying the groundwork	429	(1)
Installing a shower enclosure	430	(2)
Installing a Shower (or Tub) Door	432	(6)
Getting started	433	(1)
Measuring and cutting the tracks	434	(1)
Locating the bottom track	434	(1)
Locating the wall jambs	434	(1)
Caulking the bottom track	435	(1)
Installing the wall jambs	435	(1)
Installing sliding doors	436	(1)
Hanging the door panels	436	(1)
Installing a hinged door	436	(1)
Finishing up with caulk	437	(1)
Installing Grab Bars	438	(5)
Bowled Over: Basins, Vanities, Medicine Cabinets, and Faucets	443	(28)
Looking at Types and Styles of Basins	443	(1)
Putting In a Pedestal Sink	444	(6)
Installing the drain and pop-up assembly	445	(1)
Installing the sink	446	(4)
Installing a Cast-Iron Wall-Hung Sink	450	(4)
Preparing the supporting wall	450	(2)
Setting the mounting bolts	452	(1)
Bolting the sink to the wall	453	(1)
You're So Vain: Vanity Cabinets	454	(10)
Looking at your options	454	(1)
Installing a vanity	455	(2)
Topping your vanity with stone	457	(2)
Topping your vanity with tile	459	(5)
Much Ado about Medicine Cabinets	464	(2)
Hanging a surface-mounted medicine cabinet	464	(1)
Replacing a recessed medicine cabinet	465	(1)
Getting a Handle on Faucets	466	(5)
Putting in an easy-install faucet	467	(2)
Installing a two-handle faucet	469	(2)
Book V: Carpentry, Woodworking, and Flooring	471	(88)
Flooring: Keeping a Leg Up on Foot Traffic	473	(28)
The Subfloor: A Solid Base	473	(3)
Fixing low spots	474	(1)
Making repairs to subflooring	474	(1)
Understanding underlayment	475	(1)
Hardwood Flooring	476	(10)
Refurbishing: When hardwood only needs a touchup	477	(1)
Refinishing: Making your floor look new again	477	(3)
Repairing damaged hardwood flooring	480	(3)
Transforming a room by replacing the floor	483	(3)
Ceramic Tile	486	(5)
Replacing a damaged tile and cracked grout	486	(2)
Installing a ceramic tile floor	488	(3)
Sheet Vinyl Flooring	491	(3)
Carpet	494	(3)
Laying carpet with carpet pad	494	(1)
Laying cushioned-backed carpet	495	(1)
Patching a hole in carpeting	495	(2)
Silencing Squeaks	497	(4)
Fixing a squeak from below	497	(2)
Fixing a squeak from above	499	(2)
Using Adhesives and Glues in Woodworking	501	(6)
Cluing In to Gluing: Understanding How Glue Works	501	(1)
Working with Carpenter's Glue	502	(1)
Knowing when to use carpenter's glue	502	(1)
Applying carpenter's glue for best results	502	(1)
Cleaning up	503	(1)
Choosing Contact Cement	503	(1)
Relying on Resin Glues	504	(1)
Knowing when to use resins	504	(1)
Applying resin for best results	504	(1)
Cleaning up	505	(1)
Honing In on Hot Melt Glue	505	(2)
Knowing when to use hot melt glue	505	(1)
Applying hot melt glue for best results	505	(1)
Cleaning up	505	(2)
Drilling, Driving, and Fastening	507	(22)
Trial Assembly Pays Off	507	(1)
Drilling and Power Driving	508	(4)
Accessorizing your drill/driver	509	(1)
Watch your speed!	510	(2)
Drilling techniques	512	(1)
Driving Screws	512	(2)
The Nail Hammer: The Quintessential Carpentry Tool	514	(8)
Taking precautions	515	(1)
Driving nails (into wood, not from the store)	516	(2)
Putting on the finishing touches	518	(1)
Pulling nails	519	(3)
Fastening with Staples	522	(1)
Getting Down to Nuts and Bolts	522	(2)
Pliers: Grippy, grabby, and pointy	523	(1)
Wrenches: A plethora of options	523	(1)
Clamping and Gluing	524	(3)
Types of clamps	524	(2)
Real sticky stuff	526	(1)
Guns for Pacifists	527	(2)
Hot-melt glue gun	527	(1)
Caulking gun	528	(1)
Understanding the Building Process	529	(12)
Following Plans: Making Sense of Diagrams, Dimensions, and Procedures	529	(5)
Checking out your material list	530	(1)
Numbers, give me numbers: Measured drawings	530	(3)
Putting the pieces together: Using a procedures list	533	(1)
Creating a Cut List	534	(1)
Selecting the best section of the board	534	(1)
Organizing your cut list	535	(1)
Preparing the Board for Milling	535	(1)
Making the Cut	536	(1)
Putting It All Together	537	(4)
Preparing for assembly	537	(1)
Dry-fitting	538	(1)
Applying the glue	538	(1)
Clamping	539	(1)
Squaring up the parts and verifying flatness	539	(1)
Cleaning up your mess	540	(1)
Letting it sit	540	(1)
Finishing Wood	541	(18)
Filling Holes and Cracks	541	(3)
Fixing small imperfections	541	(1)
Dealing with big holes	542	(2)
Raising dents	544	(1)
Smoothing Out Wood	544	(2)
Sanding	544	(2)
Scraping	546	(1)
Adding Color with Stains and Paints	546	(5)
Pigment stains	547	(2)
Dyes	549	(1)
Paints	550	(1)
Protecting Your Work with a Topcoat	551	(8)
Shellac	552	(2)
Oil	554	(1)
Wax	555	(1)
Varnish and oil-based polyurethane	556	(2)
Water-based polyurethane	558	(1)
Book VI: Plumbing	559	(88)
The Plumbing Do-It-Yourselfer	561	(6)
Figuring Out When to Do It Yourself	561	(1)
Knowing When to Call a Pro	562	(3)
Hiring a licensed plumber	563	(1)
Working up a plumbing contract	564	(1)
Understanding Building Codes, Permits, and Inspections	565	(2)
The right side of plumbing codes	565	(1)
Permits and inspections	566	(1)
The Plumbing System in Your Home	567	(14)
The Water Runs through It	567	(2)
Getting Water to Your House	569	(3)
The main shutoff valve	570	(1)
The water meter	570	(2)
Figuring Out Your Drain-Waste-Vent (DWV) Lines	572	(2)
Locating Shutoff Valves	574	(7)
In the bathroom	574	(3)
In the kitchen	577	(1)
In the laundry area	578	(1)
In the great outdoors	578	(3)
Materials and Tools	581	(20)
Finding Replacement Parts	581	(2)
Common Plumbing Supplies	583	(3)
Finding the Right Water Supply Pipe	586	(4)
Copper pipe	586	(2)
Galvanized iron pipe	588	(1)
Plastic pipe	589	(1)
Buying Drainage Pipes and Fittings	590	(2)
Cast iron pipes	590	(1)
Plastic pipes	591	(1)
Stocking Up on Valves	592	(1)
Using Plumbing Tools	593	(8)
Basic woodworking tools	594	(1)
Tools for measuring	595	(1)
Wrenches and pliers	595	(2)
Pipe clamps	597	(1)
Pipe cutting and bending tools	598	(1)
Plungers, snakes, and augers	599	(2)
Unclogging a Kitchen Sink	601	(8)
Unclogging a Sink Drain	601	(5)
Removing the trap	602	(1)
Turning to a homeowner's best friend: A plunger	603	(1)
Resorting to a snake	604	(2)
Unclogging a Faucet Aerator	606	(1)
Unclogging a Garbage Disposal	607	(2)
Unclogging a Tub or Shower Drain	609	(8)
Clearing a Clogged Bathtub or Shower Drain	610	(2)
Taking the plunge	610	(1)
Charming your tub with a snake	611	(1)
Cleaning and Adjusting a Drain Stopper	612	(5)
Trip-lever drain	613	(1)
Pop-up drain	614	(3)
Unclogging a Toilet	617	(8)
Diagnosing the Problem (Yuck!)	617	(1)
Clearing a Clogged Toilet	618	(3)
Using a plunger	618	(1)
Using a toilet auger	619	(1)
Using a snake	620	(1)
Clearing the Main Line	621	(4)
When the clog is beyond the fixture	621	(3)
Still clogged? Call a plumber	624	(1)
Fixing a Leaky or Run-On Toilet	625	(10)
Getting Up Close and Personal with Your Toilet's Parts	625	(2)
A Sticky Tankball or Flapper Valve	627	(3)
Fixing or replacing a tankball	627	(2)
Adjusting or replacing a flapper valve	629	(1)
Floatball or Ballcock Problems	630	(5)
Solving floatball problems	631	(1)
Addressing ballcock problems	632	(3)
Fixing a Leaky Faucet	635	(12)
Stopping a Compression Faucet Leak	635	(5)
Replacing a worn washer	636	(1)
Replacing the valve seat	637	(2)
Stopping a stem leak	639	(1)
Stopping a Washerless Faucet Leak	640	(5)
Ball-type faucet	640	(2)
Cartridge-type faucet	642	(1)
Ceramic disk-type faucet	643	(2)
Fixing a Dish Sprayer	645	(2)
Index	647