| Hanging a New Door in an Old Jamb | 176 |
|---|---|
| Installing Entry Doors | 180 |
| Installing Bifold Doors | 184 |
| Exterior Repairs | 187 |
| Inspecting & Repairing a Roof | 188 |
| Repairing Wood Fascia & Soffits | 196 |
| Repairing Gutters | 198 |
| Removing Exterior Siding | 202 |
| Replacing Wall Sheathing | 204 |
| Repairing Siding | 206 |
| Repairing Exterior Trim | 210 |
| Identifying Exterior Paint Problems | 212 |
| Preparing to Paint Your House | 214 |
| Painting Your House | 218 |
| Using Paint-spraying Equipment | 224 |
| Staining Siding | 228 |
| Repairing Stucco | 230 |
| Repairing Concrete | 232 |
| Identifying Problems with Concrete | 234 |
| Patching Holes in Concrete | 236 |
| Filling Cracks in Concrete | 240 |
| Repairing Concrete Steps | 243 |
| Miscellaneous Concrete Repairs | 246 |
| Resurfacing a Concrete Walkway | 248 |
| Building Concrete Steps | 250 |
| Resurfacing a Concrete Patio | 256 |
| Identifying Brick & Block Problems | 260 |
| Repairing Brick & Block Walls | 262 |
| Painting Brick & Block | 268 |
| Repairing Stonework | 270 |
| Pressure Washing Masonry | 274 |
| Repairing an Asphalt Driveway | 276 |
| Maintaining a Deck | 280 |
| Painting Metal Sheds | 282 |
| Jacking Up a Shed | 284 |
| Installing New Shed Doors | 286 |
| Replacing Shed Siding | 288 |
| Plumbing | 291 |
| The Home Plumbing System | 292 |
| Shutting Off the Water | 294 |
| Plumbing Tools | 296 |
| Plumbing Materials | 300 |
| Copper Tubing | 302 |
| Rigid Plastic Pipe | 310 |
| Shutoff Valves | 314 |
| Compression Fittings | 316 |
| Fixing Common Toilet Problems | 318 |
| Installing Toilets | 328 |
| Fixing Toilet Flanges | 338 |
| Fixing Sink Faucets | 340 |
| Replacing Kitchen Sink Sprayers | 350 |
| Fixing Kitchen Drains & Traps | 358 |
| Fixing Tub/Shower Faucets & Showerheads | 362 |
| Fixing Tub/Shower Drains | 372 |
| Unclogging Sink Drains | 376 |
| Unclogging Branch & Main Drains | 378 |
| Tips for Replacing Supply Pipes | 382 |
| Quieting Noisy Pipes | 384 |
| Wiring | |
| Wiring Tools | 388 |
| Wiring Safety | 390 |
| Wire & Cable | 392 |
| Electrical Boxes | 400 |
| Electrical Panels | 408 |
| Wall Switches | 416 |
| Types of Wall Switches | 418 |
| Specialty Switches | 426 |
| Testing Switches | 430 |
| Receptacles | 434 |
| Receptacle Wiring Configurations | 440 |
| GFCI Receptacles | 444 |
| GFCI & AFCI Breakers | 448 |
| Replacing Ceiling Lights | 452 |
| Replacing Vanity Lights | 456 |
| Hard-wired Smoke & CO Alarms | 458 |
| Doorbells | 460 |
| Replacing Thermostats | 464 |
| Installing Motion-sensing Floodlights | 468 |
| Troubleshooting Light Fixtures | 472 |
| Repairing Chandeliers | 476 |
| Repairing Ceiling Fans | 478 |
| Repairing Fluorescent Lights | 482 |
| Replacing Plugs & Cords | 488 |
| Replacing a Lamp Socket | 492 |
| HVAC & Appliances | 495 |
| Maintaining Gas Forced-air Heat Systems | 496 |
| Maintaining Hot Water & Steam Heat Systems | 504 |
| Identifying & Repairing Exhaust Leaks | 509 |
| Replacing Dishwashers | 510 |
| Replacing Food Disposers | 514 |
| Replacing Water Heaters | 520 |
| Servicing Thermostats | 528 |
| Metric Conversions | 532 |
| Index | 534 |
Introduction
Every 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 6½ x 8½-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 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.
Interior Repairs
In this chapter:
- 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 Wall Coverings
- 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