The Everything Fix- It Book

by Jeffery, Yvonne

• ISBN13: 9781593370466
• ISBN10: 1593370466
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-01
• Publisher: Adams Media Corp

Summary

Specially written for the mechanically challenged, "The Everything Fix-It Book is the ideal resource to help homeowners prepare for the unexpected.

Table of Contents

Top Ten Reasons to Fix It Yourself	x
Introduction	xi
1 Getting Ready for Home Repair	1	(10)
Aim for Energy Efficiency	2	(1)
Why You Need a Home Inspection	2	(1)
Home Inspection Tips You Can Use	3	(4)
Every Homeowner's Basic Tool Kit	7	(1)
When You Need a Building Permit	8	(3)
2 Safety First	11	(14)
Identifying Utility Shutoffs	12	(6)
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors	18	(3)
Fire Extinguishers	21	(1)
Automatic-Stop Garage Door Closers	21	(2)
Ladder Safety	23	(2)
3 Quick Fixes for Common Problems	25	(16)
Keeping Showerheads and Faucets Running Free	26	(2)
First Aid for Leaky Pipes	28	(1)
Silencing Noisy Pipes	29	(1)
Fast and Easy Toilet Fixes	29	(5)
Clearing Blocked Drains	34	(2)
Freeing Sticky Doors	36	(5)
4 Healthy Houses	41	(14)
Water Testing	42	(3)
Reducing Allergy and Asthma Triggers	45	(3)
Managing Mold and Mildew	48	(2)
Getting the Lead Out-Or Not	50	(2)
Radon Gas	52	(1)
Asbestos	53	(2)
5 Weather Wise	55	(18)
Fall Maintenance	56	(1)
Spring Maintenance	56	(2)
Exterior Weather-proofing	58	(6)
Dealing with Frozen Pipes	64	(1)
Putting the Chill on Out-door Faucets	65	(2)
Eliminating Ice Dams	67	(1)
Natural Disasters	67	(6)
6 Energy Savers	73	(16)
Identifying Energy Wasters	74	(1)
Reducing Utility Bills	74	(3)
The Benefits of Insulation	77	(1)
Easy Insulation Fixes	78	(1)
Interior Weatherproofing	79	(4)
Installing a Programmable Thermostat	83	(2)
Reducing Water Consumption	85	(4)
7 The Exterior Envelope	89	(18)
Foundations and Masonry	90	(5)
Caring for Siding	95	(5)
Soffits, Fascia, and Trim	100	(1)
Maintaining Gutters	100	(3)
Maintaining Roofs	103	(1)
First Aid for Roofs	104	(3)
8 The Great Outdoors	107	(16)
Utility Lines	108	(1)
Clotheslines	109	(1)
Optimizing Water Drainage	110	(2)
Driveways, Patios, and Sidewalks	112	(5)
Decks, Steps, and Fences	117	(4)
Septic Systems	121	(2)
9 Pest Control	123	(10)
Pest Removal	124	(1)
General Pest Prevention Measures	125	(1)
Crawling and Jumping Insects	126	(2)
Flying Insects	128	(1)
Mice, Snakes, and Bats	129	(1)
Larger Unwanted Visitors	130	(1)
The Really Big Pests	131	(2)
10 Security Watch	133	(12)
Essential Lighting	134	(1)
The Most Secure Doors	134	(2)
Making Use of Locks	136	(3)
Peepholes	139	(1)
Windows	139	(3)
Choosing a Home Alarm System	142	(3)
11 Down in the Basement	145	(12)
Basement Moisture	146	(2)
Dealing with Leaks	148	(2)
Maintaining Sump Pumps	150	(2)
Backwater Valves	152	(2)
Insulating Basements	154	(3)
12 Fixable Floors	157	(18)
Solutions for Squeaks	158	(3)
Patching Subflooring	161	(1)
Carpet	162	(2)
Ceramic Tile	164	(3)
Hardwood	167	(2)
Resilient Flooring	169	(2)
Stairs	171	(4)
13 Winning Walls	175	(16)
Washing Walls	176	(1)
Anchoring Nails and Screws	177	(1)
Dealing with Wallboard	178	(5)
Dealing with Plaster	183	(3)
Wallpaper Fixes	186	(2)
Moldings and Panels	188	(3)
14 Simply Ceilings	191	(12)
Brightening Dull Ceilings	192	(1)
Ceiling Cracks	192	(1)
Leaking Ceilings	192	(2)
Sagging Ceilings	194	(1)
Damaged Wallboard Ceilings	195	(2)
Ceiling Tiles	197	(3)
Ceiling Fans	200	(3)
15 Up in the Attic	203	(14)
Identifying Attic Problems	204	(1)
Inspecting Your Attic	204	(3)
Ventilation Issues	207	(4)
Insulating Ductwork	211	(1)
Installing Attic Insulation	212	(5)
16 Durable Doors	217	(16)
Door Handles and Locks	218	(3)
Solving Door Problems	221	(3)
Keeping Doorbells Ringing	224	(2)
Replacing Door Thresholds	226	(1)
Hollow-Core Doors	226	(1)
Sliding Doors	227	(2)
Bi-Fold Doors	229	(1)
Storm Doors	230	(3)
17 Ways with Windows	233	(14)
Freeing a Stuck Window	234	(1)
Sash Windows	235	(5)
Casement/Awning Windows	240	(1)
Sliding Windows	241	(1)
Window Screens	242	(3)
Window Film	245	(2)
18 Practical Plumbing	247	(20)
Introduction to Plumbing	248	(2)
Installing Shutoff Valves	250	(1)
Repairing Leaky Faucets	251	(6)
Replacing Faucets	257	(2)
Drain Stoppers and Strainers	259	(3)
Not-So-Quick Fixes for Toilets	262	(3)
Reseating a Toilet	265	(2)
19 Easy Electricity	267	(18)
Problem Signs	268	(1)
Safety Reminders	268	(1)
Wire Tips	269	(1)
Your Home's Electrical Circuits	270	(4)
Replacing Light Switches	274	(3)
Replacing Electrical Outlets	277	(2)
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters	279	(1)
Replacing Plugs	279	(3)
Lamps and Lights	282	(3)
20 HVAC Systems	285	(14)
Forced-Air Furnace Maintenance	286	(1)
Replacing and Cleaning Furnace Filters	287	(2)
Ductwork Maintenance	289	(1)
Cleaning Forced-Air Furnace Humidifiers	289	(4)
Water-Based Heating Systems	293	(1)
Hot Water Heater Maintenance	294	(1)
Fireplace, Wood Stove, and Chimney Maintenance	295	(1)
Ventilation System Maintenance	296	(1)
Air Conditioner Maintenance	296	(3)
21 When You Can't Do It Yourself	299	(10)
Knowing When to Say No	300	(1)
Finding Qualified Contractors	301	(1)
Avoiding the Wrong Contractor	302	(1)
Selecting the Right Contractor	303	(1)
The Job Contract	304	(2)
Working with the Contractor	306	(2)
Resolving Problems	308	(1)
Appendix A Resources	309	(2)
Appendix B Maintenance Schedule	311	(2)
Index	313