Spend-a-little save-a-lot home improvements: money-saving projects anyone can do PDF
Preview Spend-a-little save-a-lot home improvements: money-saving projects anyone can do
SPEND-A-LITTLE SAVE-A-LOT HOME IMPROVEMENTS MONEY-SAVING PROJECTS ANYONE CAN DO Brad Staggs BETTERWAY HOME CINCINNATI, OHIO www.betterwaybooks.com Read This Important Safety Notice To prevent accidents, keep safety in mind while you work. Use the safety guards installed on power equipment; they are for your protection. When working on power equipment, keep fingers away from saw blades, wear safety goggles to prevent injuries from flying wood chips and sawdust, wear hearing protection and consider installing a dust vacuum to reduce the amount of airborne sawdust in your woodshop. Don’t wear loose clothing, such as neckties or shirts with loose sleeves, or jewelry, such as rings, necklaces or bracelets, when working on power equipment. Tie back long hair to prevent it from getting caught in your equipment. People who are sensitive to certain chemicals should check the chemical content of any product before using it. Due to the variability of local conditions, construction materials, skill levels, etc., neither the author nor Popular Woodworking Books assumes any responsibility for any accidents, injuries, damages or other losses incurred resulting from the material presented in this book. The authors and editors who compiled this book have tried to make the contents as accurate and correct as possible. Plans, illustrations, photographs and text have been carefully checked. All instructions, plans and projects should be carefully read, studied and understood before beginning construction. Prices listed for supplies and equipment were current at the time of publication and are subject to change. Metric Conversion Chart TO CONVERT TO MULTIPLY BY Inches Centimeters 2.54 Centimeters Inches 0.4 Feet Centimeters 30.5 Centimeters Feet 0.03 Yards Meters 0.9 Meters Yards 1.1 SPEND-A-LITTLE SAVE-A-LOT HOME IMPROVEMENTS. Copyright © 2011 by Brad Staggs. Printed and bound in China. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published by Popular Woodworking Books, an imprint of F+W Media, Inc., 4700 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45236. (800) 289-0963 First edition. Distributed in Canada by Fraser Direct 100 Armstrong Avenue Georgetown, Ontario L7G 5S4 Canada Distributed in the U.K. and Europe by F+W Media International Brunel House Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 4PU England Tel: (+44) 1626 323200 Fax: (+44) 1626 323319 E-mail: [email protected] eISBN: 978-1-4403-0433-0 Distributed in Australia by Capricorn Link P.O. Box 704 Windsor, NSW 2756 Australia Visit our Web site at www.popularwoodworking.com. Other fine Popular Woodworking Books are available from your local bookstore or direct from the publisher. 14 13 12 11 10 5 4 3 2 1 ACQUISITIONS EDITOR: David Thiel DESIGNER: Brian Roeth About the Author Brad Staggs is a licensed contractor and has become a regular on tlevision shows around the country and the internet. He has written, produced and directed feature stories for The Nashville Network. When HGTV launched, Brad began producing and hosting features for Decorating with Style and Today at Home, where he quickly became known as HGTVs “Home Maintenance Expert.” When Scripps created DIY, Brad was brought on to host Home Repair & Remodeling, he also co-produced Tools & Techniques, and he had a role in Decorating & Design and Gardening and Landscaping. Today, Brad is seen weekly on HGTV’s HGTVPro.Com Weekly. He can be seen on the syndicated Rebecca’s Garden, The Today Show and recently wrapped up a stint as anchor of RFD-TV Live!, a news/information program aimed at the agricultural heartland of America. Acknowledgements Throughout the course of writing this book, I discovered that it takes a team to bring a project like this to life. I’m grateful to everyone on my team for the invaluable time, effort and wisdom. Ken Williams of Dickson Heating & Cooling remains one of the (seemingly) few honest & hard-working repairmen in the business. His technical know-how pulled me from the fire many times. My sister Anita Warren and friend Beth Knott were kind enough to read this book cover-to-cover. I commend you both for your keen eye and grasp of the English language; my grasp just looks tighter thanks to you. This book wouldn’t have been possible had I not been my father’s son. I believe it’s ‘Honest’ Ray Staggs’ DNA that gave me the ability to think outside the box in all projects I undertake. And finally, I’m grateful for my friend and editor David Thiel. Thank you for your confidence, your friendship, and mostly for your bottomless patience. You know that I have a completely new appreciation for your world. Contents 1 CHAPTER ONE STARTING OUTSIDE Finding a Hole in Your Roof The Short-term Solution The Long-term Solution Checking & Repairing Flashing Chimney Flashing Skylight Flashing Roof Flashing In the Gutter Pieces and Parts Sealing the Joints Topping It Off Dispersing the Water Sloping the Earth 2 CHAPTER TWO HVAC–HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING The Basics Checking & Replacing Filters Fixing Hot & Cold Spots Locating a Leak Cleaning the Condenser Unit Fin Damage Winterizing the Condenser Unit 3 CHAPTER THREE EASY WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY The Logic Behind Leaks Weatherstripping Drafty Windows Weather-sealing Windows & Doors Choosing the Right Tools To Avoid a Mess Filling Small Spaces Filling the Big Gaps Securing the Perimeter Closing the Gap Installing Window Film Insulating a Water Heater Insulating Water Pipes Installing a Programmable Thermostat Installing a Motion Sensor Light Switch Sealing Outlets & Switch Plates Insulating Garage & Basement Walls Choosing the Insulation The Right Tools Exposed-stud Installation Cutting Insulation Cinder Block or Concrete Walls Rock Foundations
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