Creative Homeowner's Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement is the largest, most comprehensive home-improvement book on the market-608 pages packed with over 3,300 photos and illustrations. This clearly written, sensible how-to book covers the home top to bottom, inside and out. The reader will find out about common repairs step-by-step, including wiring and electricity, plumbing, floors and stairs, walls and ceilings, basements and attics, improvements top to bottom, yards and gardens, decks and porches, exterior structures, masonry, framing and carpentry, roofing and siding, and much more. There is information about tools, materials, and basic skills, and over 300 step-by-step projects with full-color how-to photo sequences. The book also includes full-color illustrations that peel away the mysteries of remodeling and repair work, as well as informative charts and maps. In addition, there is a comprehensive index, a glossary of terms, and a 12-page, chapter-by-chapter resource guide, offering consumer information on products and services shown in the books.

Table of Contents for Ultimate Guide to Home Repair & Improvement

Ultimate Guide to Home Repair and Improvement

Table of Contents

Introduction...8

1. Home Emergencies...10
Weather Emergencies...12
Household Emergencies...14

2. Tools...16
Basic Hand Tools...18
Basic Power Tools...22

3. Fasteners...24
Nails...26
Screws...28
Bolts...30
Fasteners...32
Framing Hardware...34
Adhesives & Caulks...38

4. Masonry...40
Tools & Materials...42
Concrete...44
Block...48
Brick...52
Stone...56
Masonry Repairs...58

5. Remodeling Guide...64
Planning...66
Hiring...68
Making Contracts...70
Supervising...72
Resolving Disputes...74

6. Floors & Stairs...76
Preparing Old Floors...78
Solid Wood...80
Veneer Wood...82
Wood Floor Repairs...84
Refinishing...86
Resilient Flooring...88
Tile Floors...90
Finishing & Trim...94
Carpet...96
Stairs...100

7. Walls & Ceilings...104
Materials...106
Paneling...108
Drywall...112
Painting...118
Wallpaper...124
Wall Tile...126
Glass & Mirrors...130
Soundproofing...132
Ceilings...134

8. Unfinished Spaces...136
Attics...138
Basements...142
Garages...146
Small Spaces...148

9. Cabinets & Counters...152
Tools & Materials...154
Basic Techniques...156
Cabinet Construction...158
Installing Cabinets...160
Doors...162
Drawers...164
Laminate Counters...166
Solid Counters...168
Finishing...170
Resurfacing Cabinets...172
Cabinet Repairs...174
Cabinet Specialties...176

10. Shelving & Storage...178
Basic Assembly..
Shelf Supports...182
Basic Built-Ins...184
Closets...186
Utility Storage...188
Storage Options...190

11. Trimwork 192 Basics...194
Crown Molding...198
Baseboard...200
Door & Window Casing...202
Trimwork Projects...204
Wall Frames...206
Wainscoting...208
Chair & Plate Rails...210

12. Electrical...212
Power Distribution...214
Wiring Systems...216
Safety Measures...218
Circuit Breakers...220
Boxes & Connectors...222
Conduit...224
Wiring Basics...226
Wiring Paths...228
Adding a New Circuit...232
Wiring Receptacles...234
GFCI...240
Wiring Switches...242
Lighting Fixtures...248
Specialty Wiring...256
Phone Wiring...258
Wiring Appliances...260
Safety Devices...266
Outdoor Lighting...268

13. Insulation...276
Thermal Protection...278
Types & Applications...280
Installation...282
Blown-in...286
Cold Spots...288

14. Ventilation...290
Foundations...292
Baths...294
Kitchen & Laundry...296
Whole-House Ventilation...298
Roofing...300

15. Plumbing...304
Basics...306
Tools...310
Working with Pipe...312
Sinks & Faucets...318
Faucet Repairs...320
Installing Sinks & Faucets...332
Toilets...344
Tubs & Showers...366
Water Heaters...376
Pumps...386
Gas Piping...388
Appliances...390
Water & Waste Treatment...394
Fixture Improvements...404
Solving Problems...406

16. Heating...410
Basic Systems...412
Basic Installation...414
Basic Maintenance...416
Space Heaters...418
Stoves & Fireplaces...420
Humidifying...422

17. Cooling...424
Systems...426
Window Units...428
In-Wall Units..
Maintenance...432
Indoor Air Quality...434
Dehumidifiers & Thermostats...436

18. Safety & Security...438
Security Basics...440
Door & Window Locks...442
Strengthening Doors...444
Security Systems...446
Fire Safety...448
Childproofing...450
Environmental Hazards...452
Universal Design...454

19. Roofing...456
Tools & Equipment...458
Design Options...460
Flat Roofs...462
Asphalt Shingles...464
Slate...468
Masonry...470
Wood Shingles & Shakes...472
Metal...474
Skylights & Roof Windows...476
Flashing...478
Climate Control...480
Gutters & Leaders...482

20. Siding...484
Tools & Materials...486
Panel Siding...488
Clapboard Siding...490
Shingles & Shakes...492
Wood Siding Repairs...494
Brick & Stone...496
Stucco...498
Masonry Siding Repairs...500
Vinyl & Metal...502
Vinyl & Metal Repairs...504
Re-siding...506
Finishing New Siding...508
Fixing Paint Problems...510
Repainting...512

21. Windows & Doors...514
Window Basics...516
Energy Efficiency...518
Installing New Windows...520
Window Trim...522
Replacement Windows...524
Basic Window Repairs...526
Basic Window Improvements...528
Storms & Screens...530
Door Basics...532
Installing Doors...534
Weatherproofing...536
Interior Doors...538
Door Repairs...540
Door Hardware...542
Garage Doors...544

22. Decks, Patios & Walks...546
Decks...548
Design & Layout...560
Concrete Walks...562
Bricks & Pavers...566
Stone & Interlock Systems...568
Gravel & Surface Systems...570
Drives....572

23. Canadian Codes...576
Complying...578
Plumbing...578
Electrical...579
General Construction..

Resource Guide...582

Glossary...592

Index...596

Photo Credits...606

Metric Conversion...607

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