Table Of Content

The Complete Photo Guide to 100 essential projects every homeowner needs to know (j Creative Publishing international MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA www.creativepub.com (j Digital edition: 978-1-61673-360-5 Home Improvement Group: Softcover edition: 978-1-58923-376-8 Publisher: Bryan Trandem Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Creative Publishing international Managing Editor: Tracy Stanley Senior Editor: Mark Johanson The complete photo guide to homeowner basics: Copyright © 2008, 2011 Editor: Jennifer Gehlhar 100 essential projects every homeowner needs Creative Publishing international, Inc. to know. 400 First Avenue North Creative Director: Michele Land-Altomare p.cm. Suite 300 Senior Design Manager: Brad Springer At head of tide: Black & Decker. By Jodie Carter and others. Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401 Design Managers: Jon Simpson, Sara Holle Summary: "Detailed step-by-step guide to the 1-800-328-3895 most common repair and maintenance projects"- www.creativepub.com Production Managers: Linda Halls, Provided by publisher. All rights reserved Laura Hokkanen IncJudes index. ISBN-13: 978-1-58923-376-8 (soft cover) Printed in China Authors: Jodie Carter (Wiring), David Griffm ISBN-lO: 1-58923-376-X (soft cover) (Plumbing), Matthew Paymar (Flooring), 1. Dwellings--Maintenance and repair--Amateurs' 10987654321 Jerri Farris (Painting & Decorating), manuals. r. Carter, Jodie. II. Creative Publishing Steve Willson (Outdoor) International. III. Black & Decker Corporation President/CEO: Ken Fund (Towson, Md.) VP for Sales & Marketing: Kevin Hamric Page Layout Artist: Lois Stanfield TH4817.3.C65652oo8 643'.7--dc22 2007048065 CONTENTS Introduction ... ... .. .. .. .... ... .... 4 WIRING ....... ... . ..... . ... . .. . 7 Before You Begin Putting Together a Wiring Kit ...... 8 Understanding Electrical Circuits ... 10 1. Replacing Phone Jacks .......... 18 2. Removing Broken Lightbulbs ...... 22 3. Fixing Lamp Sockets ............ 26 4. Fixing Doorbells ................ 30 5. Fixing Pull-Chain Switches. . . . .. 34 6. Installing Programmable Thermostats ................... 38 7. Adding Wireless Light Switches .... 42 8. Replacing Bad Receptacles ....... 48 9. Child proofing Receptacles ........ 52 10. Installing GFCI Receptacles ....... 58 11. Replacing Bad Light Switches ..... 64 12. Installing Dimmers .......... 70 13. Installing Timer Switches ......... 76 14. Replacing Ceiling-Mounted Fixtu res ....................... 80 PLUMBING .................... 123 6. Fixing Running Toilets ..... .... . 162 15. Replacing Hanging Light Before You Begin 7. Clearing Clogged Toilets . . . . . . 170 Fixtures ..... . ......... 86 The Home Plumbing System .... 124 8. Fixing Leaky Tubs & Showers ..... 174 16. Installing Track Lights ............ 90 Plumbing Tools. ....... .... 128 9. Adjusting Bathtub or Shower 17. Installing Motion-Sensing Evaluating Your Plumbing .. 132 Drainage ........ ............. 180 Floodlights ............... ..... 96 1. Shutting Off the Water .. .... 134 10. Clearing Kitchen Sink Drains . 186 18. Repairing Fluorescent 2. Recovering Items from Drains .. .. 138 11. Fixing Leaky Sink Strainers. . 190 Light Fixtures ...... 100 3. Preventing Frozen Pipes .. .. .. .. 142 12. Clearing Clogged Floor Drains . 192 19. Fixing Ceiling Fans.. . ... 106 4. Fixing Dripping Sink Faucets . .. .. 146 13. Adding a Shower to a Tub. . . . 196 20. Installing Raceway Wiring ....... 112 5. Adjusting Water Pressure ........ 156 14. Replacing Bathtub Spouts ... 200 15. Replacing Widespread 13. Refinishing Hardwood Floors ..... 302 3. Fixing Sliding Screen Doors ...... 406 Bathroom Faucets ............. 204 14. Painting Wood Floors .......... 308 4. Installing Storm Doors. . . . ... 410 16. Installing New Bathroom 15. Installing Laminate Flooring ...... 312 5. Tuning Up Double-Hung Faucets ...................... 210 16. Installing Floor Tile ............. 321 Windows ..................... 416 17. Replacing Kitchen Sprayers ...... 214 6. Exterior Caulking ....... . .... 420 18. Repairing Burst Pipes ........... 218 PAINTING & DECORATING . . . .... 329 7. Pestproofing Your House ........ 424 19. Replacing Kitchen Faucets ... 222 Before You Begin 8. Fixing Concrete Walkways ....... 428 20. Replacing Pop-up Stoppers ...... 228 Painting Tools ................. 330 9. Repairing Asphalt Driveways ..... 432 21. Replacing Toilets .............. 232 Decorating Tools .............. 332 10. Fixing Broken Glass Panes ....... 438 Prep Materials ..... .. .. .. ..... 334 11. Repairing Concrete Steps ..... 442 FLOORING .................... 239 Choosing Paint ................ 335 12. Repairing Siding. . . . . . . . . ... 446 Before You Begin 1. Hanging Pictures & Mirrors ...... 336 13. Repairing Stucco ... 450 Understanding Floors ........... 240 2. Replacing Towel Bars ........... 340 14. Renewing a Wood Deck ...... .. 454 Choosing Flooring ....... . ..... 242 3. Hanging Curtains .............. 344 15. Replacing Damaged Roof Evaluating Floors .............. 244 4. Installing Window Blinds & Shingles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 458 Cleaning Floors ............... 246 Shades ...................... 346 16. Installing Locksets & 1. Repairing Splinters & Gouges .... 250 5. Anchoring Bookcases ........... 352 Deadbolts ........ . . .... 462 2. Fixing Squeaky Floors 6. Draping & Taping .............. 356 17. Tuning Up Garage Doors ........ 468 from Below ................... 254 7. Painting Walls .......... 360 18. Installing House Gutters .. .. ... .. 474 3. Fixing Squeaky Floors from 8. Preparing Unfinished Wood 19. Installing Landscape Lighting .... 478 Above ....................... 258 for Paint ..................... 364 20. Pressure Washing a House ....... 484 4. Repairing Resilient Flooring ...... 262 9. Painting Millwork & Trim ........ 368 5. Patching Resilient Sheet 10. Painting Wood Cabinets ........ 374 Resources .......... .... ... ...... 488 Flooring ..................... 264 11. Painting Concrete Block Walls .... 376 Metric Equivalents .... .......... 489 6. Repairing Loose Carpet Seams ... 268 12. Stripping Wallcoverings ......... 380 Glossary ....... ..... ........ 490 7. Replacing Ceramic Tiles. . . 272 13. Hanging Wallcoverings ......... 384 Index .. ............ 492 8. Replacing Laminate Floorboards ... 278 OUTDOOR PROJECTS ........... 395 9. Patching Carpet ............... 282 Before You Begin 10. Removing Resilient Flooring ..... 286 Outdoor Tool Kit .............. 396 11. Removing Carpet .............. 290 1. Clearing Clogged Gutters ....... 398 12. Sealing Concrete Floors ......... 294 2. Touching Up Exterior Paint ...... 402 NOTICE TO READERS For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when follow rurers' instructions included with products, since deviating ing the procedures described in this book. The Publisher and from the clirections may void warranties. The projects in this Black & Decker cannot assume responsibility for any damage book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require information provided. professional help. The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for Consult your local Builcling Department for information on various applications. In some instances, additional techniques building permits, codes and other laws as they apply to your not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufac- project. Introduction 4 THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS OWNING A NEW HOME IS A CHALLENGING YET REWARDI NG EXPE RI ENCE. Whether the house itself is new or not, there exists an overwhelming number of remodeling and decorating options you have as a new homeowner. And it doesn't matter if you've bought your first or tenth home, it's still new and brimming with potential to you. After unpacking all the stuff, where does one start? You'll probably have a list a mile long that looks some thing like this: install a new toilet, repair the light fix tures, fix the doorbell, replace the exterior siding, hang new window treatments, refinish the kitchen cabinets, install a new livingroom floor or paint the existing floor or refinish the wood that may be under the exist ing carpet. With The Complete Photo Guide to Homeowner Basics you'll have the information to accomplish all of the most com mon repairs and installations homeowners face, and you do not need any previous experience because this book explains it all for you in five sections: Wiring, Plumbing, Flooring, Painting & Decorating, and Outdoor Projects. The first few pages of each section give you the back ground information and technical knowledge that will be helpful. Then the most common projects follow. Each project has a detailed overview of the parts you'll be working on and the terms you'll need to know as well as photographs that show you all of the tools and materials you'll need. Then step-by-step instructions fol low. Virtually every step is photographed so you'll see exactly how to do the work, and along the way you'll find helpful sidebars that show you what to do if some thing unexpected happens, how to use tools correctly, and which safety precautions to take. Before you know it, you'll be successfully completing one home repair after the next. And because you do it yourself, you'll save hundreds if not thousands of dollars: all the more money to allow you to tackle that next project sooner rather than later. 5 INTRODUCTION 6 THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO HOMEOWNER BASICS Wiring THE WIRING SECTION OF THIS BOOK IS UNIQUE IN THAT YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE ANY PRIOR KNOWLEDGE TO SUCCESSFUL lY EXECUTE THE WIRING REPAIRS AND INSTAllATIONS. ALMOST EVERY WIRING BOOK REQUIRES YOU TO HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY WITH THE SUBJECT MATTER BEFORE YOU BEGIN. IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE A TRUE BEGINNER, YOU'RE ALREADY AT A DISADVANTAGE. THIS BOOK DOESN'T ASSUME YOU ALREADY KNOW A lOT ABOUT THE SUBJECT. AND IT'S ALSO A BOOK THAT WON'T lEAVE OUT ANY INFORMATION. On the following pages you'll find directions for solving the most uni versal wiring problems and projects in your home. No knowledge is assumed, and no question is left unanswered. IN THIS CHAPTER: o o Before You Begin Installing Dimmers o Putting Together a Wiring Kit Installing Timer Switches o Understanding Electrical Replacing Ceiling-Mounted Circuits Fixtures o o Replacing Phone Jacks Replacing Hanging Light Fixtures o Fixing Lamp Sockets o Installing Track Lights o Fixing Doorbells o o Installing Motion-Sensing Fixing Pull·Chain Switches Floodlights o Installing Programmable o Repairing Fluorescent Light Thermostats Fixtures o Adding Wireless Light Switches o Fixing Ceiling Fans o Replacing Bad Receptacles o Installing Raceway Wiring o Childproofing Receptacles o Installing GFCI Receptacles o Replacing Bad Light Switches 7 WIRING' Introduction Before You Begin: Putting Together a Wiring Kit E1ectria1l tape Toolbox Needlenose Combination tool pliers sensor Here's pretty much all you'll need to complete most of the repairs and projects in this book. They are available at any home improvement center or hardware store. 8 THE COMPLETE PHOTO GUIDE TO HOMEOWNER BASICS