Home Repair That Pays Off by Seda, Hector -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Introduction PART I: Your Home’s Exterior

01. Exterior Upkeep

Structural Maintenance Surface Maintenance Railing Maintenance Stair Repair Lay or Replace an Area of Pavers Replace or Reset Individual Paver Stones Replace a Concrete Walkway Keep a Clean, Fresh Pool Open the Pool

02. Proper Landscaping

Get a Visual Mulch for Effect Add a Classic Touch to Your Yard Construct a Gravel Pathway Clear It Up Edge Your Lawn Trim Your Lawn Do the Job

03. Your Driveway and Garage

Repair Cracks in Asphalt Repair Holes in Your Driveway Garage Door Maintenance Keep the Seal Tight The Messy Garage: Find a Path Through Yours

04. Keeping a Roof Over Your Head

Clean a Dirty, Stained Roof Locate a Roof Leak Replace Damaged Shingles Repair Worn Shingles Patch Corroded Roof Flashing

05. Proper Cleaning and Drainage

Prepare Your Home for an Exterior Cleaning The Cleaning Process Select an Area for Suitable Drainage Perfect the Pitch Clear Your Gutters Repair Gutter Seams Repair a Hole in the Gutter Re-nail a Standard Gutter

06. Proper Masonry and Foundation Maintenance

Mix Mortar Tuck-Pointing Seal Your Stone, Brick, or Block Foundation Seal a Concrete Foundation Crack Check Your Concrete Slab

PART II: Your Home’s Interior

07. Doors, Locks, and Hinges

Unstick Sticky Doors Remedy a Problem Bi-fold Door Are Pocket Doors Rubbing You the Wrong Way? Adjust a Storm Door Replace an Old Storm Door Closer Lubricate the Locks in Your Home Adjust the Lockset Lubricate Key Cylinders So, the Strike Won’t Latch Silence Door Hinges Keep the Doorknobs Uniform Clean a Gummed Lockset

08. Windows

Replace a Broken Screen Clean Your Screens Preventive Window Maintenance Unsticking Your Window Out with the Old Caulk and In with the New Insulating Windows in Older Homes Eliminating the Draft Around Your Windows

09. Floors

Erase Minor Scuffs and Stains Buff Your Hardwood Floor A Quick Wood-Floor Transformation Fix the Squeak from Underneath Fix the Squeak from Above Get Rid of a Noisy Stair Replace the Padding Install a Carpet Patch Fix a Squeaky Carpet

10. Walls

Clear, Patch, and Clean Prime and Paint Patch Nail Pops Repair Cracked Seams Fix a Gouge in a Wall Mend Drywall Cracks Fix Small Drywall Holes Repair Large Drywall Holes Restore Damaged Wall Corners Repair a Crack in Plaster Remove the Wall to Get at the Problem

11. The Kitchen

Remove an Existing Countertop Get the Countertop Right Install a New Laminate Countertop Repair a Stripped Cabinet Hinge and Door Change the Look by Painting Your Kitchen Cabinets Install an Under-Cabinet Light Change the Washer in That Faucet 164

12. The Bathroom

Remove an Old Vanity Install a New Vanity Base Replace an Old Vanity with a Pedestal Sink Install a Crescent-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod Change Out an Old Water Closet Maintain, Remove, and Replace Ceramic Tiles Replace a Ceramic Soap Dish or Toothbrush Holder Add Charm with a Few Accents Fix a Leaky Shower Door Remove Corrosion from a Shower Door Frame Clear Your Bathtub Drain Unclog Your Toilet Bowl Clear Your Tub’s Waste Line Unclog a Toilet Bowl with an Auger Fix a Leaking Showerhead Replace a Worn Tub Diverter Inspect the Caulking and Grouting Around Your Home Stop That Constantly Running Toilet Hot Tub and Whirlpool Maintenance

13. Heating and Cooling

Air Conditioner Maintenance Central Air Conditioning Maintenance What to Do If Your Furnace Is Not Running Replace a Forced-Air System’s Filter What to Do When Your Thermostat Fails Clean Your Thermostat Replace a Low-Voltage Thermostat Check the Accuracy of Your Thermostat Clean the Inside of Your Hot Water Heater Tank Clean, Organize, and Get Your Mechanicals Together Are You Still Waiting for Water? Clear the Aerators

14. Fireplaces and Chimneys

Maintain Your Fireplace Between You and Your Fireplace—Fireplace Doors Flues and Chimneys

15. Electrical Issues

Label the Circuit Breaker or Fuse Panel Change a Receptacle Replace a Bad Light Switch Match Your Outlet and Switch Cover Plates Troubleshoot Doorbell Problems Troubleshoot Smoke Detector Issues Replace a Lighting Fixture Fix an Unbalanced Ceiling Fan

16. Keep It Safe and Clean

Keep a Handle on Things: Handrails and Safety Is There a Mouse in the House? Dust Control Quick Leak Fix

17. Go Green

Twenty Simple Ways to Go Green Don’t Let Water Be a Drain on Your Wallet Save Water Outside Your Home

Appendix A: How to Choose a Contractor Appendix B: Kicking Up Curb Appeal Resources