About the House with Henri de Marne: How to Maintain, Repair, Upgrade, and Enjoy Your Home Book

Acknowledgments     v
Dedication     vi
Introduction     1
Foundations, Basements, Crawl Spaces     3
Foundations for New Houses and Additions     3
Foundation Repair     8
Water and Moisture Problems in Foundations     22
Mold, Mildew, and Musty Smells     36
Cellars with Dirt Floors     39
Crawl Spaces     41
Roofs and Siding     51
Venting     51
Asphalt and Fiberglass Shingles     58
Cedar Shingles and Shakes     66
Roof Vegetation     68
Metal Roofing     73
Flat Roof Coverings     77
Eaves     80
Gutters     87
Miscellaneous Roof Problems     92
Siding     95
Wood Siding     95
Vinyl Siding     114
Aluminum Siding     118
Asbestos Siding     122
Brick Houses     123
Stone Houses     130
Log Houses     131
Stucco     132
Miscellaneous Types of Siding     133
Miscellaneous Issues     134
Windows and Doors     135
New and Replacement Windows and Doors     135
Warranties     137
Comfort and Energy Efficiency     139
Overheating and UV Damage     141
Cleaning and Polishing Window Components     143
Repairing Damaged Windows and Doors     149
Paint, Varnish, and Other Finish Work     155
Moisture Problems     160
Miscellaneous Issues     164
Plumbing, Electricity, HVAC     169
Plumbing     169
Hot Water     169
Water Color and Quality     174
Bad Smells     176
Noisy Plumbing     179
Toilets     182
Faucets, Sinks, Tubs     184
Septic Systems     191
Drains     193
Plumbing Vents     195
Exhaust Vents     198
Electrical Systems     203
Wiring Issues     203
Lighting     206
Miscellaneous Electrical Questions     207
Heating and Cooling     208
Health and Safety     208
Noisy Heating Systems     215
Problems Caused by Modern Upgrades     218
Keeping Temperatures Even Throughout the House      220
Options for Upgrading Heating Systems     224
Heating and AC-Related Repairs     228
System Maintenance     231
Closing Down a House for the Winter     233
Cold-Weather Problems     234
Saving Energy     235
Aesthetic Issues     238
Chimneys     239
Fireplaces     242
Kitchens and Baths     247
Fixtures     247
Tubs, Showers, and Surrounds     247
Sinks     255
Toilets     258
Built-Ins     262
Counters     262
Cabinets     264
Appliances     267
Refrigerators     267
Cookstoves     267
Dishwashers     270
Moisture Problems     270
Mold and Mildew     271
Protection from Water Damage     271
Grout and Caulk     273
Interior Surfaces: Floors, Ceilings, and Walls     277
Miscellaneous Kitchen & Bathroom Issues     274
Squeaky Floors     277
Wood Floors, Maintenance and Repair     279
Vinyl Flooring, Maintenance and Repair     285
Carpets and Rugs      289
Ceramic and Quarry Tile     293
Brick, Stone, and Related Materials     302
Basement Floors and Walls     306
Walls: Plaster, Drywall, Wood, and Related Materials     313
Ceilings: Cracks, Sags, Dirt and Streaks     318
Paint and Other Finishes     323
Wallpaper     325
Structural Issues     327
Insulation     333
Insulating the Foundation     333
Foundation Insulation and Vapor Retarders     333
Insulating a Finished Basement     340
Other Ways to Improve Foundation Insulation     343
Roof Insulation     347
Insulation and Ceilings     347
Improving Insulation in Existing Homes     351
Unintended Effects of Improved Insulation     357
Critters, Pests and other Nuisances     359
Ants and Termites     359
Wasps and Bees     364
Mice     366
Moths and Carpet Beetles     368
Squirrels and Chipmunks     371
Flies of Various Types     374
Miscellaneous Pests     376
Beneficial Creatures     385
Birds     387
Pets      391
Health and Safety Issues     391
Outside the House     393
Driveways     393
Walkways     399
Porches     401
Decks     404
Patios     410
Garages, Carports, and Sheds     415
Fences, Walls, and Railings     421
Outdoor Stoops and Stairs     423
Outdoor Furniture and Equipment     425
Lawns     428
Landscaping Issues     431
Septic and Drainage     432
Pools and Ponds     434
Resources     437
Index     439
About the Author     446