The complete photo guide to home repair: with 350 projects and over 2,000 photos

2215 Pages·2016·317.35 MB·English

The Complete Photo Guide to
HOME REPAIR
4th Edition
With 350 Projects and Over 2,000 Photos
Contents
Introduction
Interior Repairs
Repairing Floors
Repairing Joists
Eliminating Floor Squeaks
Replacing Trim Moldings
Repairing Hardwood
Replacing a Damaged Floorboard
Replacing Sections of Wood Floors
Replacing Laminate Flooring
Repairing Vinyl Flooring
Repairing Ceramic Tile Flooring
Repairing Carpet
Sealing Interior Concrete Floors
Salvaging Lumber
Installing a Reclaimed Floor
Repairing Drywall
Repairing Plaster
Replacing Paneling
Maintaining Wall Tile
Repairing Wallcoverings
Repairing Ceilings
Repairing Water-damaged Walls & Ceilings
Removing Wall & Ceiling Surfaces
Final Inspection & Fixing Problems
Ladders
Paint Safety
Preparation Tools & Materials
Room Preparation
Primers & Sealers
Trim Painting Techniques
Ceiling & Wall Painting Techniques
Painting Cabinets
Eliminating Stair Squeaks
Replacing a Broken Stair Tread
Windows & Doors
Solving Common Door Problems
Weatherizing Basics
Shortening Interior Doors
Replacing Thresholds
Improving Window Operation
Fixing Storm Windows & Doors
Installing Replacement Windows
Securing Windows & Doors
Tuning Up Garage Doors
Installing Garage Doors
Garage Door Openers
Removing Windows & Doors
Installing Prehung Interior Doors
Installing Storm Doors
Hanging a New Door in an Old Jamb
Installing Entry Doors
Installing Bifold Doors
Exterior Repairs
Inspecting & Repairing a Roof
Repairing Wood Fascia & Soffits
Repairing Gutters
Removing Exterior Siding
Replacing Wall Sheathing
Repairing Siding
Repairing Exterior Trim
Identifying Exterior Paint Problems
Preparing to Paint Your House
Painting Your House
Using Paint-spraying Equipment
Staining Siding
Repairing Stucco
Repairing Concrete
Identifying Problems with Concrete
Patching Holes in Concrete
Filling Cracks in Concrete
Repairing Concrete Steps
Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs
Resurfacing a Concrete Walkway
Building Concrete Steps
Resurfacing a Concrete Patio
Identifying Brick & Block Problems
Repairing Brick & Block Walls
Painting Brick & Block
Repairing Stonework
Pressure Washing Masonry
Repairing an Asphalt Driveway
Maintaining a Deck
Painting Metal Sheds
Jacking Up a Shed
Installing New Shed Doors
Replacing Shed Siding
Plumbing
The Home Plumbing System
Shutting Off the Water
Plumbing Tools
Plumbing Materials
Copper Tubing
Rigid Plastic Pipe
Shutoff Valves
Compression Fittings
Fixing Common Toilet Problems
Installing Toilets
Fixing Clogged Toilets
Fixing Toilet Flanges
Fixing Sink Faucets
Replacing Kitchen Sink Sprayers
Fixing Kitchen Drains & Traps
Fixing Tub/Shower Faucets & Showerheads
Fixing Tub/Shower Drains
Unclogging Sink Drains
Unclogging Branch & Main Drains
Tips for Replacing Supply Pipes
Quieting Noisy Pipes
Wiring
Wiring Tools
Wiring Safety
Wire & Cable
Electrical Boxes
Electrical Panels
Wall Switches
Types of Wall Switches
Specialty Switches
Testing Switches
Receptacles
Receptacle Wiring Configurations
GFCI Receptacles
GFCI & AFCI Breakers
Testing Receptacles
Replacing Ceiling Lights
Replacing Vanity Lights
Hard-wired Smoke & CO Alarms
Doorbells
Replacing Thermostats
Installing Motion-sensing Floodlights
Troubleshooting Light Fixtures
Repairing Chandeliers
Repairing Ceiling Fans
Repairing Fluorescent Lights
Replacing Plugs & Cords
Replacing a Lamp Socket
HVAC & Appliances
Maintaining Gas Forced-air Heat Systems
Maintaining Hot Water & Steam Heat Systems
Identifying & Repairing Exhaust Leaks
Replacing Dishwashers
Replacing Food Disposers
Replacing Water Heaters
Servicing Thermostats
Metric Conversions
Index
Introduction
E
very homeowner needs a big
book: A one-stop reference
that covers all the fundamental
home repair tasks we face on a
daily basis. And if that big book
is sized so it fits nicely in your
tool kit, so much the better.
That’s why we originally
published BLACK+DECKER The
Complete Photo Guide to Home
Repair in its convenient 6 1/2 × 8
1/2–inch trim size. And the fact
that building codes change and
new tools and techniques are
always showing up is the reason
we’ve updated our little big book
in this new fourth edition.
On the following pages you’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions
for repairing and maintaining every major system and surface in and
around your house. No filler, nothing you don’t need—it’s full of
hundreds of projects and thousands of photos to help you keep your
home in top shape.
This fourth edition includes all the best information from previous
editions, as well as new repair projects for every area of the house.
Inside you’ll find:
• Step-by-step instructions featuring pro tips and techniques. Our
home improvement experts give you clear, concise directions to help
you from start to finish.
• Color photos of every stage of a project so you’ll know exactly what
• Color photos of every stage of a project so you’ll know exactly what
to expect.
• Detailed anatomy photos and illustrations.
• Fully updated information that complies with all current national
codes.
Every area of the house is covered. In the interior repairs section,
you’ll find comprehensive repairs for basements, walls, floors, and
ceilings. There’s detailed information on minor and major repairs to
flooring materials from carpet to laminate. You’ll learn everything
from how to make your existing windows more energy efficient to
how to replace old windows with new, high-efficiency models.
When it comes to exterior repairs, we cover everything from tips
for winterizing and improving energy efficiency to repairing flashing,
garage door openers, stone walls, and much more. We’ll show you
how to patch a leaky roof and repair and restore a worn patio, deck, or
sidewalk. Repairs to every major siding material are also covered.
Repairs and upgrades to wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems can
be the most intimidating for homeowners, and they’re almost always
the most expensive to hire out. Armed with this book, you’ll have all
the information and direction you need to tackle common wiring and
plumbing projects with confidence and learn the skills to be prepared
for just about any wiring or plumbing emergency.
As a homeowner, you know your home is your biggest investment.
The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair is your indispensable
resource for protecting that investment.