Bibliographic record and links to related information available from the Library of Congress catalog.
Note: Contents data are machine generated based on pre-publication provided by the publisher. Contents may have variations from the printed book or be incomplete or contain other coding.
INTRODUCTION page 6 Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Hand & Power Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Bench Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Specialty Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 INTERIOR REPAIRS 20 Basements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Protecting Walls & Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Preventing Dampness & Leaks . . . . . . . . . . .28 Ceilings & Walls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Repairing Plaster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Repairing Wallboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Restoring Paneling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Restoring Ceramic Tile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Replacing Wall Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Repairing Wallcovering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Repairing Trim Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Restoring a Ceiling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Reducing Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Choosing Paint, Tools & Equipment . . . . . . .60 Preparing to Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Applying Primers & Sealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Using a Paintbrush . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Using a Roller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Painting Windows, Doors & Trim . . . . . . . . .70 Painting Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Painting Ceilings & Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Cleaning Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Floors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Underlayment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 Subfloors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 Common Floor Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Maintaining & Repairing Vinyl Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Maintaining & Repairing Ceramic Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98 Maintaining & Repairing Hardwood Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .100 Maintaining & Repairing Carpeting . . . . . . .108 Stairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116 Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 Insulation & Weatherproofing . . . . . . . . . .158 Improving Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162 Adding Basement Insulation . . . . . . . . . . . .166 Weatherizing the House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170 Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Countertops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 EXTERIOR REPAIRS 180 Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184 Inspecting a Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188 Locating & Repairing Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . .190 Repairing & Replacing Flashing . . . . . . . . . .194 Preparing for a New Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196 Installing a New Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 Fascia & Soffits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 Gutters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214 Chimneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 Walls & Siding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224 Masonry Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225 Stucco Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226 Wood Siding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228 Manufactured Siding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230 Exterior Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232 Preparing to Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236 Applying Paint & Primer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240 Concrete & Asphalt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248 Patching Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252 Repairing Walkways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254 Repairing Concrete Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258 Replacing Concrete Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260 Repairing Vertical Surfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . .264 Repairing Asphalt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .266 SYSTEMS REPAIRS 268 Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .272 Pipe & Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278 Working with Plastic Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280 Working with Copper Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . . .284 Using Compression Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . .290 Using Flare Fittings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292 Working with Galvanized Iron Pipe . . . . . .294 Working with Cast-iron Pipe . . . . . . . . . . . .296 Valves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300 Drains, Traps & Vents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304 Clearing Clogged Tub Drains . . . . . . . . . . . .308 Clearing Clogged Sink Drains . . . . . . . . . . .310 Clearing Fixture Drains with a Hand Auger .312 Sinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314 Faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320 Ball Faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322 Cartridge Faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324 Disc Faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326 Compression Faucets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328 Fixing Spout & Sprayer Pressure Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330 Replacing a Faucet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332 Tubs, Showers & Whirlpools . . . . . . . . . . .336 Toilets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344 Repairing a Running Toilet . . . . . . . . . . . . .345 Repairing Pressure-assisted Toilets . . . . . .354 Food Disposers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .356 Dishwashers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360 Water Heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .364 Water Softeners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376 Water Pumps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378 Septic Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380 Electrical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .382 Service Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .386 Tools for Electrical Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . .392 Materials for Electrical Repair . . . . . . . . . . .393 The Rules of Electrical Safety . . . . . . . . . . .395 Receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .396 Testing Receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .402 GFCI Receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .408 Wall Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .412 Single-pole Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414 Three-way Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .416 Four-way Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .418 Double Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .420 Pilot-light Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .421 Switch/Receptacles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .421 Dimmer Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .422 Specialty Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .424 Lighting Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .426 Incandescent Mounted Light Fixtures . . . .427 Recessed Light Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .432 Chandeliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .434 Track Lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436 Fluorescent Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .438 Doorbells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .442 Telephones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .446 Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . .450 Heating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .452 Gas Forced-air Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .454 Balancing a Forced-air System . . . . . . . . . .454 Maintaining a Forced-air System . . . . . . . .455 Maintaining a Furnace Humidifier . . . . . . .462 Hot Water & Steam Systems . . . . . . . . . . .464 Maintaining Hot Water & Steam Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .465 Identifying & Repairing Exhaust Leaks . . . .469 Supplemental Heating Systems . . . . . . . . .470 Electric Baseboard Heaters . . . . . . . . . . . . .470 Wall-mounted Electric Heaters . . . . . . . . . .474 Fireplaces & Wood Stoves . . . . . . . . . . . . . .476 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .478 Air Conditioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .482 Maintaining Central Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps . . . . . . . . . .483 Maintaining a Room Air Conditioner . . . . .486 Thermostats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .488 SECURITY, SAFETY & HEALTH UPGRADES 490 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .494 Lighting for Security & Safety . . . . . . . . . . .495 Securing Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .498 Glass Block Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 Securing Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .502 Door Closers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .508 Garage Door Openers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .510 Repairing a Garage Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .514 Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .516 Fire Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .517 Fall & Accident Prevention . . . . . . . . . . . . . .520 Handling Hazardous Materials . . . . . . . . . .524 Childproofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .526 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .530 Indoor Air Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .530 Carbon Monoxide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .532 Radon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .533 Mold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .534 Lead & Asbestos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .536 Arsenic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .537 Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .538 WORKSHOP REFERENCE 540 Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .542 Organizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .544 Working with Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .548 Reference Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .560 HomeownerÆs Journal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .564 Working with Contractors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .583 Maintenance Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .584 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .588 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .590 To the fullest extent of the law, Black & Decker assumes no responsibility and shall not be held liable for any damage to property or injury to person as a result of content contained in this book not specifically developed by The Black & Decker Corporation. For safety, use caution, care and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The Publisher and Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided. The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturersÆ instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help. Consult your local Building Department for information on building permits, codes and other laws as they apply to your project.
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication:
Dwellings -- Maintenance and repair -- Pictorial works.