Popular Mechanics Home How to

by Jackson, Albert; Day, David

• ISBN13: 9780688177072
• ISBN10: 0688177077
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-04-01
• Publisher: Sterling Pub Co Inc

Summary

Now in a new paper-over-board edition, this complete answer book for every home repair question includes easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, with more than 3,000 color illustrations and photographs.

Table of Contents

PLANNING AHEAD
Planning ahead	12	(5)
Assessing a property	12	(2)
Room by room	14	(2)
Outbuildings and gardens	16	(1)
Using professionals	17	(20)
Building codes and permits	18	(1)
Other legal considerations	18	(2)
Employing a builder	20	(1)
Employing specialists	21	(1)
Doing it yourself	22	(1)
Work sequence	22	(2)
Color selection	24	(2)
Tone	26	(2)
Texture	28	(1)
Pattern	29	(1)
Manipulating space	30	(2)
Interior schemes	32	(5)
Lighting	37	(6)
DECORATING
Access	40	(3)
Routine maintenance	43	(20)
Painted woodwork	44	(2)
Masonry	46	(5)
Metalwork	51	(2)
Plaster	53	(2)
Interior woodwork	55	(1)
Wallcoverings	56	(1)
Woodwork	57	(3)
Tiling	60	(2)
Preparation and priming	62	(1)
Applying finishes	63	(59)
Exterior masonry	64	(3)
Walls and ceilings	67	(7)
Woodwork	74	(1)
Finishes	75	(2)
Doors	77	(1)
Window frames	78	(1)
Graining	79	(1)
Staining	80	(2)
Varnishing	82	(1)
French polishing	83	(1)
Cold cure lacquer	84	(1)
Metalwork	85	(2)
Paneling	87	(3)
Wallcoverings	90	(9)
Tiling	99	(3)
Wall tiles	102	(5)
Floor tiles	107	(5)
Ceiling tiles	112	(1)
Parquet flooring	113	(2)
Sheet flooring	115	(1)
Carpets	116	(2)
Sheet vinyl	118	(2)
REPAIRS & IMPROVEMENTS
House construction	120	(2)
Walls	122	(20)
Exterior	122	(1)
Interior	123	(1)
Openings	124	(3)
Closing	127	(1)
Removing	128	(7)
Constructing	135	(7)
Ceilings	142	(6)
Lowering	142	(5)
Attic access	147	(1)
Interior wall finish	148	(20)
Types of plaster	149	(2)
Mixing plaster	151	(2)
Repairing plasterwork	153	(5)
Wallboard	158	(9)
Crown molding	167	(1)
Exterior wall finish	168	(4)
Floors	172	(12)
Suspended	172	(1)
Slab	173	(1)
Metal fittings	174	(1)
Covered slab	175	(1)
Flooring	176	(1)
Repairs	177	(1)
Laying floorboards	178	(4)
Resurfacing concrete floors	182	(2)
Doors	184	(12)
Types and construction	184	(2)
Fitting	186	(2)
Repairs	188	(1)
Accessories	189	(1)
Frames	190	(2)
Room-dividing doors	192	(1)
Sliding and folding doors	193	(1)
Garage doors	194	(2)
Windows	196	(16)
Types and construction	196	(2)
Fitting	198	(1)
Glass	199	(3)
Repairing glass	202	(2)
Double-glazing units	204	(1)
Repairing frames	205	(4)
Replacement	209	(2)
Roof windows	211	(1)
Stairs	212	(9)
Types and construction	212	(3)
Repairs	215	(3)
Balustrades	218	(3)
Roofs	221	(25)
Types and construction	221	(2)
Coverings	223	(1)
Repairs	224	(4)
Flat and roll roofing	228	(2)
Pitched roofs	230	(2)
Flashing	232	(2)
Drainage	234	(4)
HOME SECURITY
Basics	238	(1)
Precautions	239	(1)
Securing doors	240	(2)
Securing windows	242	(1)
Burglar alarms	243	(1)
Fire protection	244	(2)
INFESTATION, ROT & DAMP
Infestation	246	(5)
Insect infestation	246	(4)
Animal infestation	250	(1)
Wet and dry rot	251	(2)
Dampness	253	(7)
Dampness causes	253	(1)
Penetrating dampness	254	(1)
Rising dampness	255	(1)
Condensation	256	(2)
Cellars	258	(2)
INSULATION & VENTILATION
Insulation	260	(15)
Insulating the plumbing	261	(1)
Draftproofing	262	(3)
Roof and attic insulation	265	(3)
Insulating walls	268	(2)
Floor insulation	270	(1)
Double glazing	271	(4)
Ventilation	275	(11)
Ventilating floors	276	(1)
Ventilating roofs	277	(2)
Exhaust fans	279	(2)
Range hoods	281	(1)
Heat-exchanging ventilators	282	(1)
Dehumidifiers	283	(1)
Air conditioners	284	(2)
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in our homes	286	(10)
Energy savings and safety	286	(1)
How much should you do?	287	(1)
Codes and permits	287	(1)
How electricity works	288	(1)
How we use the electricity we buy	289	(1)
From the source to your home	290	(1)
Meters and service entrances	291	(1)
Breakers and fuses	292	(1)
Assessing your system's potential	293	(1)
Continuity testers	294	(1)
Voltage testers	295	(1)
Dealing with electric shock	296	(1)
Electrical repairs	297	(4)
Cords and plugs	297	(1)
Incandescent fixtures	298	(1)
Fluorescent fixtures	299	(1)
Doorbells and thermostats	300	(1)
Working with wire	301	(5)
Cable types and uses	302	(1)
Stripping and splicing wire	303	(1)
Grounding a system	304	(2)
Electrical circuits	306	(26)
Outlet and fixture boxes	309	(1)
Switches	310	(4)
Receptacles	314	(3)
New wiring for new homes	317	(3)
New wiring for older homes	320	(6)
Ceiling installations	326	(1)
Installing an attic fan	327	(1)
Wiring appliances	328	(2)
Creating indirect lighting	330	(1)
Installing a bathroom fan	331	(1)
Installing outdoor wiring	332	(6)
Working with conduit	334	(1)
Low-voltage alternatives	335	(1)
Protecting against lightning	336	(2)
PLUMBING
Understanding the system	338	(4)
General overview	339	(1)
Draining a water system	340	(1)
Emergency repairs	341	(1)
Working with pipe	342	(7)
Drain-cleaning techniques	347	(1)
Learning how to solder	348	(1)
Faucet installation and repair	349	(5)
Lavatories and sinks	354	(6)
Strainers and disposers	356	(2)
Installing a built-in dishwasher	358	(2)
Toilet installation	360	(13)
Toilet repairs	364	(5)
Bathtub installation and repairs	369	(2)
Showers, three options	371	(2)
Water heaters	373	(5)
Service and maintenance	373	(4)
Water softners and water filters	377	(1)
Rural septic system maintenance	378	(2)
Sprinkler systems	379	(1)
Plumbing outdoors	380	(2)
HEATING
Open fires	382	(4)
Fireplaces	384	(2)
Wood heaters and inserts	386	(4)
Log-burning stoves	387	(1)
Lining flues	388	(1)
Maintaining fire surrounds	389	(1)
Central heating systems	390	(16)
Furnaces	393	(1)
Radiators	394	(2)
Central heating controls	396	(1)
Central heating maintenance	397	(5)
Circulating pumps	402	(1)
Control valves	403	(1)
Trouble-shooting	404	(2)
WORKING OUTDOORS
Garden planning	406	(4)
Fences	410	(8)
Types	410	(2)
Supporting	412	(2)
Erecting	414	(4)
Gates	418	(2)
Types	418	(1)
Posts	419	(1)
Masonry	420	(18)
Types and materials	420	(6)
Brickwork	426	(8)
Blockwork	434	(2)
Stonework	436	(1)
Retaining walls	437	(1)
Paths, drives and patios	438	(17)
Concrete	438	(8)
Laying paving	446	(2)
Crazy paving	448	(1)
Brick paving	449	(2)
Cobblestones and gravel	451	(1)
Tarmac	452	(1)
Garden steps	453	(1)
Concrete steps	453	(1)
Curved steps/Log steps	454	(1)
Water gardens	455
Ponds	455
Rock garden and waterfall	459
Swimming pools	460
TOOLS & SKILLS
Woodworker's tools	462
Basic woodworking joints	475
Builder's tools	478
Decorator's tools	481
Plumber's and metalworker's tools	486
Electrician's tools	492
REFERENCE & INDEX
Lumber and paneling	494
Adhesives	495
Fasteners	496
Blinds and curtain rails	499
Shelving	500
Glossary of terms	501
Index	504