Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement Book

Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement

Table of Contents

Introduction...8

1. Home Emergencies...10

    Weather Emergencies...12

    Household Emergencies...14

2. Tools...16

    Basic Hand Tools...18

    Basic Power Tools...22

3. Fasteners...24

    Nails...26

    Screws...28

    Bolts...30

    Fasteners...32

    Framing Hardware...34

    Adhesives & Caulks...38

4. Masonry...40

    Tools & Materials...42

    Concrete...44

    Block...48

    Brick...52

    Stone...56

    Masonry Repairs...58

5. Remodeling Guide...64

    Planning...66

    Hiring...68

    Making Contracts...70

    Supervising...72

    Resolving Disputes...74

6. Floors & Stairs...76

    Preparing Old Floors...78

    Solid Wood...80

    Veneer Wood...82

    Wood Floor Repairs...84

    Refinishing...86

    Resilient Flooring...88

    Tile Floors...90

    Finishing & Trim...94

    Carpet...96

    Stairs...100

7. Walls & Ceilings...104

    Materials...106

    Paneling...108

    Drywall...112

    Painting...118

    Wallpaper...124

    Wall Tile...126

    Glass & Mirrors...130

    Soundproofing...132

    Ceilings...134

8. Unfinished Spaces...136

    Attics...138

    Basements...142

    Garages...146

    Small Spaces...148

9. Cabinets & Counters...152

    Tools & Materials...154

    Basic Techniques...156

    Cabinet Construction...158

    Installing Cabinets...160

    Doors...162

    Drawers...164

    Laminate Counters...166

    Solid Counters...168

    Finishing...170

    Resurfacing Cabinets...172

    Cabinet Repairs...174

    Cabinet Specialties...176

10. Shelving & Storage...178

    Basic Assembly...180

    Shelf Supports...182

    Basic Built-Ins...184

    Closets...186

    Utility Storage...188

    Storage Options...190

11. Trimwork 192 Basics...194

    Crown Molding...198

    Baseboard...200

    Door & Window Casing...202

    Trimwork Projects...204

    Wall Frames...206

    Wainscoting...208

    Chair & Plate Rails...210

12. Electrical...212

    Power Distribution...214

    Wiring Systems...216

    Safety Measures...218

    Circuit Breakers...220

    Boxes & Connectors...222

    Conduit...224

    Wiring Basics...226

    Wiring Paths...228

    Adding a New Circuit...232

    Wiring Receptacles...234

    GFCI...240

    Wiring Switches...242

    Lighting Fixtures...248

    Specialty Wiring...256

    Phone Wiring...258

    Wiring Appliances...260

    Safety Devices...266

    Outdoor Lighting...268

13. Insulation...276

    Thermal Protection...278

    Types & Applications...280

    Installation...282

    Blown-in...286

    Cold Spots...288

14. Ventilation...290

    Foundations...292

    Baths...294

    Kitchen & Laundry...296

    Whole-House Ventilation...298

    Roofing...300

15. Plumbing...304

    Basics...306

    Tools...310

    Working with Pipe...312

    Sinks & Faucets...318

    Faucet Repairs...320

    Installing Sinks & Faucets...332

    Toilets...344

    Tubs & Showers...366

    Water Heaters...376

    Pumps...386

    Gas Piping...388

    Appliances...390

    Water & Waste Treatment...394

    Fixture Improvements...404

    Solving Problems...406

16. Heating...410

    Basic Systems...412

    Basic Installation...414

    Basic Maintenance...416

    Space Heaters...418

    Stoves & Fireplaces...420

    Humidifying...422

17. Cooling...424

    Systems...426

    Window Units...428

    In-Wall Units...430

    Maintenance...432

    Indoor Air Quality...434

    Dehumidifiers & Thermostats...436

18. Safety & Security...438

    Security Basics...440

    Door & Window Locks...442

    Strengthening Doors...444

    Security Systems...446

    Fire Safety...448

    Childproofing...450

    Environmental Hazards...452

    Universal Design...454

19. Roofing...456

    Tools & Equipment...458

    Design Options...460

    Flat Roofs...462

    Asphalt Shingles...464

    Slate...468

    Masonry...470

    Wood Shingles & Shakes...472

    Metal...474

    Skylights & Roof Windows...476

    Flashing...478

    Climate Control...480

    Gutters & Leaders...482

20. Siding...484

    Tools & Materials...486

    Panel Siding...488

    Clapboard Siding...490

    Shingles & Shakes...492

    Wood Siding Repairs...494

    Brick & Stone...496

    Stucco...498

    Masonry Siding Repairs...500

    Vinyl & Metal...502

    Vinyl & Metal Repairs...504

    Re-siding...506

    Finishing New Siding...508

    Fixing Paint Problems...510

    Repainting...512

21. Windows & Doors...514

    Window Basics...516

    Energy Efficiency...518

    Installing New Windows...520

    Window Trim...522

    Replacement Windows...524

    Basic Window Repairs...526

    Basic Window Improvements...528

    Storms & Screens...530

    Door Basics...532

    Installing Doors...534

    Weatherproofing...536

    Interior Doors...538

    Door Repairs...540

    Door Hardware...542

    Garage Doors...544

22. Decks, Patios & Walks...546

    Decks...548

    Design & Layout...560

    Concrete Walks...562

    Bricks & Pavers...566

    Stone & Interlock Systems...568

    Gravel & Surface Systems...570

    Drives....572

23. Canadian Codes...576

    Complying...578

    Plumbing...578

    Electrical...579

    General Construction...581

Resource Guide...582

Glossary...592

Index...596

Photo Credits...606

Metric Conversion...607