Home Repair That Pays Off: 150 Simple Ways to Add Value Without Breaking Your Budget

372 Pages·2009·2.93 MB·English

by  Hector Seda

Weekend
Projects
Anyone
Can Do!
Home
RepairThat
PAY$ OFF
150 Simple Ways to Add Value
Without Breaking Your Budget
HECTOR SEDA,
America's Home Improvement Coach
Avon, Massachusetts
Copyright © 2009 by Hector Seda
All rights reserved.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any
form without permission from the publisher; exceptions are
made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.
Published by
Adams Media, a division of F+W Media, Inc.
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322. U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 10: 1-59869-802-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-59869-802-2
eISBN: 978-1-44051-333-6
Printed in the United States of America.
J I H G F E D C B A
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
is available from the publisher.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject
matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal,
accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services
of a competent professional person should be sought.
—From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their product are claimed as
trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark
claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.
This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, please call 1-800-289-0963.
To my parents, Hector and Dolores Seda, and my sister, Yvonne Jones.
Acknowledgments
Nothing in life is really ever done alone and for this reason I would like to thank
the following people for their friendship, support, and advice: To my good
friends, Emery and Sheila Wilson and August and Tammy Cardella To my
family, James and Annette Seda, Dinah Curkin, and Elisa Seda Special thanks to
my agent and friend, John Willig of Literary Services, Inc.
And to everyone involved at Adams Media, especially Paula Munier, Director of
Acquisitions and Innovation; Brendan O’Neill, Associate Editor; and Elisabeth
Lariviere, Layout Artist and Designer.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART I
Your Home’s Exterior
01
Exterior Upkeep
Structural Maintenance
Surface Maintenance
Railing Maintenance
Stair Repair
Lay or Replace an Area of Pavers
Replace or Reset Individual Paver Stones
Replace a Concrete Walkway
Keep a Clean, Fresh Pool
Open the Pool
02
Proper Landscaping
Get a Visual
Mulch for Effect
Add a Classic Touch to Your Yard
Construct a Gravel Pathway
Clear It Up
Edge Your Lawn
Trim Your Lawn
Do the Job
03
Your Driveway and Garage
Repair Cracks in Asphalt
Repair Holes in Your Driveway
Garage Door Maintenance
Keep the Seal Tight
The Messy Garage: Find a Path Through Yours
04
Keeping a Roof Over Your Head
Clean a Dirty, Stained Roof
Locate a Roof Leak
Replace Damaged Shingles
Repair Worn Shingles
Patch Corroded Roof Flashing
05
Proper Cleaning and Drainage
Prepare Your Home for an Exterior Cleaning
The Cleaning Process
Select an Area for Suitable Drainage
Perfect the Pitch
Clear Your Gutters
Repair Gutter Seams
Repair a Hole in the Gutter
Re-nail a Standard Gutter
06
Proper Masonry and Foundation Maintenance
Mix Mortar
Tuck-Pointing
Seal Your Stone, Brick, or Block Foundation
Seal a Concrete Foundation Crack
Check Your Concrete Slab
Part II
Your Home’s Interior
07
Doors, Locks, and Hinges
Unstick Sticky Doors
Remedy a Problem Bi-fold Door
Are Pocket Doors Rubbing You the Wrong Way?
Adjust a Storm Door
Replace an Old Storm Door Closer
Lubricate the Locks in Your Home
Adjust the Lockset
Lubricate Key Cylinders
So, the Strike Won’t Latch
Silence Door Hinges
Keep the Doorknobs Uniform
Clean a Gummed Lockset
08
Windows
Replace a Broken Screen
Clean Your Screens
Preventive Window Maintenance
Unsticking Your Window
Out with the Old Caulk and In with the New
Insulating Windows in Older Homes
Eliminating the Draft Around Your Windows
09
Floors
Erase Minor Scuffs and Stains
Buff Your Hardwood Floor
A Quick Wood-Floor Transformation
Fix the Squeak from Underneath
Fix the Squeak from Above
Get Rid of a Noisy Stair
Replace the Padding
Install a Carpet Patch
Fix a Squeaky Carpet
10
Walls
Clear, Patch, and Clean
Prime and Paint
Patch Nail Pops
Repair Cracked Seams
Fix a Gouge in a Wall
Mend Drywall Cracks
Fix Small Drywall Holes
Repair Large Drywall Holes
Restore Damaged Wall Corners
Repair a Crack in Plaster
Remove the Wall to Get at the Problem
11
The Kitchen
Remove an Existing Countertop
Get the Countertop Right
Install a New Laminate Countertop
Repair a Stripped Cabinet Hinge and Door
Change the Look by Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets
Install an Under-Cabinet Light
Change the Washer in That Faucet
12
The Bathroom
Remove an Old Vanity
Install a New Vanity Base
Replace an Old Vanity with a Pedestal Sink
Install a Crescent-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod
Change Out an Old Water Closet
Maintain, Remove, and Replace Ceramic Tiles
Replace a Ceramic Soap Dish or Toothbrush Holder
Add Charm with a Few Accents
Fix a Leaky Shower Door
Remove Corrosion from a Shower Door Frame
Clear Your Bathtub Drain
Unclog Your Toilet Bowl
Clear Your Tub’s Waste Line
Unclog a Toilet Bowl with an Auger
Fix a Leaking Showerhead
Replace a Worn Tub Diverter
Inspect the Caulking and Grouting Around Your Home
Stop That Constantly Running Toilet
Hot Tub and Whirlpool Maintenance
13
Heating and Cooling
Air Conditioner Maintenance
Central Air Conditioning Maintenance
What to Do If Your Furnace Is Not Running
Replace a Forced-Air System’s Filter
What to Do When Your Thermostat Fails
Clean Your Thermostat
Replace a Low-Voltage Thermostat
Check the Accuracy of Your Thermostat
Clean the Inside of Your Hot Water Heater Tank
Clean, Organize, and Get Your Mechanicals Together
Are You Still Waiting for Water?
Clear the Aerators