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Homeowner's Manual, The
- By Lynda Lyday
- Published Nov 18, 2005 by Que.
Book
- This product currently is not for sale.
Description
- Copyright 2006
- Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/8"
- Pages: 240
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7897-3451-6
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3451-8
A house is one of those things in life that you wish came with an owner's manual. Things break, spring leaks, and sometimes just need to be properly maintained, but you usually have to consult a separate guide for each issue. Not any longer. The Homeowner's Manual will help you get acquainted with your home and assist you in making decisions regarding maintenance and repair. Illustrations and a knowledgeable author will not only cover the basics from A to Z, but will also provide you with safety tips on how to:
- Protect your home from severe weather damage
- What equipment to install for fire and carbon monoxide detection
- Drills to conduct with your family
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
Table of Contents
Introduction.
1. The Big Picture from A to Z.
2. Appliances.
Refrigerator.
Stove/Range.
Ovens.
Dishwasher.
Garbage Disposer.
Trash Compactor.
Washing Machine.
Dryer.
Hot Water Heater.
Checklist.
3. Basements.
Water.
Leaking or Condensation.
Condensation Solutions.
Leaky Basements.
Gutters and Downspouts.
Landscaping/Grading.
French Drains and Foundation Drains.
French Drains.
Foundation Drains.
Waterproofing Walls.
Sump Pumps.
Common Problems.
Check Your Sump Pump Frequently.
How Long Should My Sump Pump Last?
Checklist.
4. Decks and Patios.
Pressure-Treated Wood.
Cleaning Your Deck.
Cleaning Your Patio.
Sealing Your Deck.
Checklist.
5. Doors and Windows.
Windows.
Making Your Windows More Efficient.
Low-E Glass.
Thermal Windows.
Locks.
Doors.
Types of Doors.
Storm Doors.
Locks.
Checklist.
6. Drainage.
Catching Rainwater.
Surface Drainage.
Subsurface Drainage.
Checklist.
7. Driveways.
Driveway Components.
Asphalt.
Concrete.
Brick or Pavers.
Stone Blocks.
Loose Materials.
Sealing Your Driveway.
Checklist.
8. Electricity.
Getting Electricity to Your Home.
Power Outage.
Fuse Box or Circuit Breaker.
Outlets.
Local Codes.
Outdoor Wiring.
Light Bulbs.
Dimmers.
Surge Protectors.
Checklist.
9. Exterior Maintenance.
Your Home’s Exterior.
Siding.
Wood Siding.
Wood Shingles.
Fiberboard Siding.
Plywood Siding.
Fiber-cement Siding.
Aluminum, Steel, and Vinyl Siding.
Stucco.
Brick.
Stone.
Checklist.
10. Fireplaces and Wood Stoves.
Caring for Your Fireplace or Wood Stove.
Chimney Sweeps.
Chimney Caps.
Wood Stoves.
Proper Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety.
Checklist.
11. Flooring.
Subfloor.
Flooring Materials.
Checklist.
12. Foundation.
Foundation Types.
Slab.
Crawlspace.
Standard Basement Foundation and Other Types of Basements.
Pole Foundation.
Pier Foundation.
Foundation Problems.
Checklist.
13. Garage and Outbuildings.
Storing Flammable Materials Safely.
Disposing of Combustible Materials.
Removing Oil Stains from Garage Floors.
Painting Garage Floors.
Garage Doors.
Troubleshooting Your Garage Doors.
Manual Doors.
Checklist.
14. Heating and Cooling.
Cooling Systems for Your Home.
Fans.
Air Conditioning.
Types of Heating Systems.
Central Warm-Air Furnace.
Steam or Hot Water System.
Baseboard and Radiant Systems.
Heat Pump.
Floor, Wall, or Pipeless Furnace.
Fuel Sources for Heating Your Home.
Electricity.
Natural Gas.
Oil.
Solid Fuels (Firewood and Coal).
Tips for Lowering Your Utility Bill.
Checklist.
15. Insulation and Ventilation.
Insulation.
R-Value.
Types of Insulation.
Ventilation.
Attic Ventilation.
Foundation Vents.
Checklist.
16. Landscape, Yard, and Garden.
Landscape.
Color.
Form.
Line.
Scale.
Texture.
Designing Your Yard.
Pruning.
Grass.
Fertilizer.
Mulch.
Irrigation.
Checklist.
17. Painting.
Preparation.
Primer/Sealer.
Color.
Flat, Satin, Eggshell, Semigloss, or Glossy Finish.
Latex, Oil, and Alkyd Paint.
Stains.
Painting the Room.
Paint Removal.
Lead Paint.
Checklist.
18. Plumbing.
Private Wells.
The Plumbing System in Your Home.
Pipe Materials.
Plumbing Maintenance.
Clogs.
Leaky Faucets.
Water Hammer.
Toilets.
Hot Water Heater.
Checklist.
19. Pools and Hot Tubs.
Pool Maintenance.
Daily Maintenance.
Testing pH Levels.
Shocking Your Pool.
Water Levels.
Cleaning Your Pool.
Heating a Pool.
Getting the Pool Ready for the Season.
Closing the Pool.
Repairing a Pool.
Patching Cracks.
Painting the Pool.
Hot Tubs.
Maintenance.
Troubleshooting.
Repairs.
Checklist.
20. Roof and Attic.
Roof.
Rafters or Trusses.
Sheathing.
Roof Covering.
Flashing.
Drainage.
Moss, Lichens, Mold, and Algae.
Attic.
Checklist.
21. Security Systems.
Security System Design.
Wireless Systems.
Hard-wired Systems.
Safety Concerns.
Heat Sensors, Smoke Detectors, and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
Environmental Sensors.
Checklist.
22. Septic Systems.
Urban Waste Water Systems.
Septic Tanks.
Trench Drain Field.
Seepage Pit or Dry Well.
Sand Mound System.
Maintenance Tips.
Troubleshooting.
Checklist.
23. Staircases.
Staircase Components.
The Rise and the Run.
Common Problems.
Attic Stairs.
Checklist.
24. Telephone Systems and Computers.
Types of Phone Systems.
The Phone Line.
The Internet.
Analog.
ISDN.
DSL.
Cable.
Satellite.
Wireless Internet.
Checklist.
25. Tools for the Home.
The Standard Toolset.
Drywall and Woodworking.
Power Tools.
Plumbing.
Tile Projects.
The Outdoors.
Last, But Not Least….
26. Walls.
What Are Your Walls Made of?
Testing for Mold.
Wallpaper.
Patching a Wall.
Nail Pops.
Insulation.
Checklist.
A. Safety.
In Case of Fire.
Fire Extinguishers.
Smoke Detectors.
Egress Windows.
Carbon Monoxide.
In Case of Emergency.
Hurricanes.
Tornadoes.
Earthquakes.
Terrorism.
B. Seasonal Checklist.
Fall.
Winter.
Spring.
Summer.
C. Pest Control.
Termites.
Other Insects and Spiders.
Rodents.
Raccoons.
Bats.
Birds.
D. Insurance Coverage.
The Policy.
Replacement Value Versus Actual Cash Value.
Coverage for Disaster.
Index.