Popular Mechanics Complete Home How-To
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Here is the most comprehensive how-to reference from the most trusted name in DIY, Popular Mechanics. Everything that concerns a house or apartment owner is included, with information on planning ahead; decorating; repairs and improvements; security; infestation, rot, and damp; electricity; plumbing; heating; outdoor care; and tools and skills. And it’s easy to find the solution to any particular problem, without having to go from page to page of continuous text: the straightforward design breaks down the subjects into clearly defined, color-coded chapters. So whether you’re looking for advice on applying finishes, adding decorative paint effects, constructing walls, fixing the roof, or installing a burglar alarm, the instructions are here. Library Journal Every library needs a good, all-in-one guide to home repair, and this one, which carries the Popular Mechanics imprimatur, fits the bill. Interior and exterior repairs are included, from simple tasks like replacing an electrical switch to difficult ones like constructing a wall or building a pond, as well as common upgrades. Everything is explained in detail, with a wealth of clear photos and illustrations. A section on skills and tools shows the use of woodworking, building, decorating, plumbing, and electrical equipment, and a reference section describes hardware/materials and defines commonly used terminology. A great general guide to home repairs of all types, this book will see heavy use in most collections. Essential. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
1Planning AheadForward planning2Assessing potential4Using professionals7Employing a builder8Seeking approval9Do-it-yourself12A basis for selecting colour14Using tone for subtlety16Taking texture into account18Using pattern for effect19Manipulating space20Interior schemes22Planning your lighting272DecoratingMeans of access30Preparation and priming33Primers and sealers33Masonry34Plasterwork40Wallcoverings42Woodwork43Metalwork50Tiled surfaces52Applying finishes53Paints53Exterior masonry54Walls and ceilings57Decorative paint effects60Textured coatings69Woodwork70Painting doors73Painting window frames74Graining75Staining wood78Varnishing80French polishing81Cold-cure lacquer82Finishing metalwork83Panelling85Wallcoverings88Choosing tiles97Wall tiling100Ceiling tiles104Floor tiling105Wood flooring110Carpets112Sheet vinyl1153Repairs & ImprovementsHouse construction118Walls120External120Internal121Removing walls122Constructing walls127Ceilings132Suspended ceilings132Loft access133Plasterwork134Types of plaster135Surfaces136Mixing plaster137Plastering techniques138Repairing plasterwork139Plastering a wall143Plasterboard144Exterior rendering151Floors154Suspended floors154Solid floors155Flooring156Maintenance157Doors160Types and construction160Fitting and hanging doors162Dividing doors164Sliding and folding doors165Garage doors170Windows172Types and construction172Types of glass175Repairing glass176Double glazing180Repairing windows181Replacing windows185Roof windows187Curtains and blinds188Shutters190Staircases195Types and construction195Maintenance197Balusters and balustrades200Roofs203Construction204Roof maintenance208Sheet roofing209Flashings211Guttering2134Home SecurityHow a burglar gains entry216Guarding against intruders217Securing doors218Securing windows240Burglar alarms241Protection against fire2425Infestation, Rot & DampInfestation224Insect infestation224Animal infestation228Rot229Wet rot and dry rot229Preventative treatment230Damp231Penetrating damp231Rising damp231Condensation234Basements and cellars2366Insulation & VentilationInsulation238Insulating plumbing239Draughtproofing240Insulating roofs243Insulating walls247Insulating floors248Double glazing249Ventilation253Ventilating floors254Ventilating the roof space255Extractor fans257Range hoods259Heat-recovery ventilation2607ElectricityEconomics264Basics266Safety267Zones for bathrooms269Replacements270Flex270Plugs and lampholders273Main switch equipment274Earthing systems275Consumer units276Fuses and MCBs277Circuits279Cables280Running cable281Assessing your installation284Power circuits286Socket outlets286Mounting sockets286Replacing socket outlets288Adding spurs289Adapting circuits290Fixed appliances292Fused connection units292Wiring heaters293Wiring small appliances294Cookers295Immersion heaters296Storage heaters298Doorbells and chimes300TV aerials301Telephone extensions302Home office303Wiring showers305Lighting circuits305Light fittings307Light switches309Installing wall lights313Low-voltage lighting314Electricity outdoors316Security lighting317Closed-circuit television319Garden lighting and pumps321Wiring outbuildings322Complete rewiring3248PlumbingRepairs and maintenance326Emergency repairs327Repairing taps328Maintaining cisterns and tanks330Drainage systems333Maintenance334Pipework337Metal pipes337Plastic plumbing342Plumbing installations346WCs346Washbasins349Baths353Showers355Bidets361Sinks362Waste-disposal units363Dishwashers & washing machines364Water softeners366Storage tanks367Hot-water heaters368Solar heating3709HeatingOpen fires374Fireplaces375Room heaters and stoves379Central heating382Boilers384Radiators385Controls387Fault finding388Maintenance389Underfloor heating396Storage heaters39810Working OutdoorsPlanning a garden400Fences404Choosing fences404Fence posts406Erecting fences408Gates412Gate styles412Hardware413Gateposts413Walls414Bricks415Concrete blocks417Stone418Mortar419Brickwork420Blockwork428Building with stone430Retaining walls431Paths, drives and patios432Working with concrete432Paving slabs440Crazy paving442Paving with bricks443Cobblestones and gravel446Tarmac447Garden steps448Concrete steps449Log steps449Building curved steps449Water gardens450Pond liners451Constructing ponds452Pumps and fountains454Rockeries and cascades455Pebble pools456Conservatories45711Tools and SkillsWoodworking tools460Woodworking joints473Building tools476Decorating tools479Plumbing tools484Electrical tools49012Reference & IndexTimber and boards492Adhesives494Fixings496Glossary of terms500Index504
