Table of Contents
About this Book 8
1 Home Emergencies 10
Weather-Related Emergencies 12
Emergencies Around the House 14
2 Safety & Security 16
Security Basics 18
Door & Window Locks 20
Strengthening Doors 22
Security Systems 24
Fire Safety 26
Childproofing 28
Environmental Hazards 30
Universal Design 32
3 Remodeling Guide 34
Planning 36
Hiring 38
Making Contracts 40
Supervising 42
Dealing with Disputes 44
4 Tools 46
Basic Power Tools 48
Basic Hand Tools 50
5 Fasteners & Adhesives 54
Nails 56
Screws 58
Bolts 60
Fasteners 62
Framing Hardware 64
Adhesives & Caulk 68
6 Masonry 70
Tools & Materials 72
Concrete 74
Formwork 78
Block 82
Brick 86
Stone 90
Masonry Repairs 92
7 Electrical 94
Power Distribution 96
Wiring Systems 98
Safety Measures 100
Circuit Breakers 102
Boxes & Connectors 104
Conduit 106
Wiring Basics 108
Wiring Paths 110
Adding a New Circuit 114
Wiring Receptacles 118
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters 126
Wiring Switches 128
Lighting Fixtures 134
Specialty Wiring 142
Phone Wiring 144
Wiring Appliances 146
Safety Devices 154
Outdoor Lighting 156
8 Plumbing 164
Basics 166
Tools 170
Working with Pipe 172
Sinks & Faucets 180
Faucet Repairs 182
Installing Sinks & Faucets 194
Toilets 206
Tubs & Showers 228
Water Heaters 238
Pumps 250
Appliances 252
Water & Waste Treatment 256
Sump Pumps & Wells 262
Fixture Improvements 266
Solving Problems 268
9 Insulation 272
Thermal Protection 274
Types & Applications 276
Installation 278
Blown-in 282
Cold Spots 284
10 Heating 286
Basic Systems 288
Basic Installation 290
Basic Maintenance 292
Space Heaters 294
Stoves & Fireplaces 296
Humidifying 298
11 Cooling 300
Systems 302
Window Units 304
In-Wall Units 306
Maintenance 308
Indoor Air Quality 310
Dehumidifiers & Thermostats 312
12 Ventilation 314
Foundations 316
Baths 318
Kitchen & Laundry 320
Whole-House Ventilation 322
Roofing 324
13 Floors & Stairs 328
Preparing Old Floors 330
Solid Wood 332
Engineered-Wood Flooring 334
Wood-Floor Repairs 336
Refinishing 338
Resilient Flooring 340
Tile Floors 342
Finishing & Trim 346
Carpet 348
Stairs 352
14 Walls & Ceilings 356
Materials 358
Paneling 360
Drywall 364
Painting 370
Wallpaper 376
Wall Tile 378
Glass & Mirrors 382
Soundproofing 384
Ceilings 386
15 Trimwork 388
Basics 390
Crown Molding 394
Base Trim 396
Door & Window Casings 398
Wall Frames 402
Wainscoting 404
Chair Rails & Plate Rails 406
16 Cabinets & Counters 408
Tools & Materials 410
Basic Techniques 412
Cabinet Construction 414
Installing Cabinets 416
Doors 418
Drawers 420
Laminate Counters 422
Solid Counters 424
Finishing 426
Resurfacing Cabinets 428
Cabinet Repairs 430
Cabinet Specialties 432
17 Shelving & Storage 434
Basic Assembly 436
Shelf Supports 438
Basic Built-Ins 440
Closets 442
Utility Storage 444
Storage Options 446
18 Roofing 448
Tools & Equipment 450
Design Options 452
Flat Roofs 454
Asphalt Shingles 456
Slate 460
Masonry 462
Wood Shingles & Shakes 464
Metal 466
Skylights & Roof Windows 468
Flashing 470
Climate Control 472
Gutters & Leaders 474
19 Siding 476
Tools & Materials 478
Panel Siding 480
Clapboard Siding 482
Shingles & Shakes 484
Wood-Siding Repairs 486
Brick & Stone 488
Stucco 490
Masonry-Siding Repairs 492
Vinyl & Metal 494
Vinyl & Metal Repairs 496
Re-siding 498
Finishing New Siding 500
Fixing Paint Problems 502
Repainting 504
20 Windows & Doors 506
Window Basics 508
Energy Efficiency 510
Installing New Windows 512
Window Trim 514
Replacement Windows 516
Basic Repairs & Improvement 518
Storms & Screens 522
Door Basics 524
Installing Doors 526
Weatherproofing 528
Interior Doors 530
Door Repairs 532
Door Hardware 534
Garage Doors 536
21 Decks, Patios & Walks 538
Decks 540
Walk Design & Layout 552
Concrete Walks 554
Bricks & Pavers 558
Stone & Interlocking Systems 560
Gravel & Surface Systems 562
Drives 564
22 Unfinished Space 568
Attics 570
Basements 574
Garages 578
Small Spaces 580
23 Canadian Code 584
Plumbing & Electrical 586
General Construction 588
Glossary 590
Index 593
Photo Credits 607
Metric Conversion 608
