Basic Home Repair & Maintenance: An Illustrated Problem Solver

Contents
INTRODUCTION
1. PROBLEM SOLVING
	How to Avoid Problems
	Sizing up the Problem
	Water Leaks
	Gas Leaks
	Storm Damage
	Securing a Damaged House
2. VITAL TOOLS
	Tool Ergonomics & Safety
	Hand Tools
	Tools to cut, scrape, pry
	Know what essential sharp, tough tools are needed for cutting a job down to size
	Basic Small Tools
	Power Tools
	Tools You Rent
3. VITAL HARDWARE
	Safety Gear
	Screws & Bolts
	Nails
	Caulk
	Tapes & Glues
	Sandpaper & Steel Wool
4. VITAL PRODUCTS
	Paints & Finishes
	Stains
	Clear Finishes
	Recycled Paint
	Faux Finishes
	Fillers
5. SCRATCHES & CHIPS
	Scratched Woodwork
	Scratched Furniture
	Wood Floor Scratches
	Scratched counters
	Repairing a Chipped Tile
	Repairing a Chipped finish
6. INSIDE LEAKS/CLOGS
	Faucets
	Toilets
	Washing Machines
	Unclogging Sinks
	Unclogging Toilets
	Unclogging Tubs and Showers
7. OUTSIDE LEAKS/CLOGS
	Roofs
	Gutters & Downspouts
	Windows
	Unclogging Gutters
	Unclogging Downspouts
	Unclogging Outside Drains
	Fixing outdoor drains prevents floods and allows them to do their job properly
8. SQUEAKS/STICKY ISSUES
	Floors: What to Try First
	Floors: What to Try Next
	Sticking Doors
	Sticking Windows
	Sticking Furniture Drawers
	Sticking Keyed Door Locks
9. CRACKS & HOLES
	Holes in Plaster
	Repairing Plaster Cracks
	Drywall Holes
	Drywall Cracks
	Cracked Concrete Floors
	Cracked Glass
10. ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
	How Your System Works
	Fuses & Circuit Breakers
	Overloading a Circuit
	Saving Electricity
	Lamp, Cord, & Plug Repair
	Renewable Energy
11. FUNGI ISSUES
	Know Your MicroOrganisms
	Interior Mold & Mildew
	Exterior Mold
	Serious Mold
	Roof Moss
	Wood Rot
12. PETS & PESTS
	Installing a Pet Door
	Squirrel & Raccoon Damage
	Bird Damage & Repairs
	Bees & Wasps
	Termites & Wood Eaters
	Critter-Proofing Your Home
	Picking the Paint & Sheen
13. PAINTING
	Interior Preparation
	Painting Walls & Ceilings
	Woodwork & Trim
	Exterior Preparation
	Exterior Painting
14. VITAL STORAGE
	Building Shelves
	More Shelving
	Closet Fixes
	Garage Storage
	Workbench
	Kitchen Island
15. ENERGY EFFICIENCY
	Energy Primer
	Sealing Your House
	Weather Stripping
	Choosing new Windows
	Depending on your need, storm windows might do the trick and help save energy
	Adding Insulation
	Appliances & Energy Savings
16. OUTSIDE REPAIRS
	Fence Repairs
	Fence Repairs (Continued)
	Deck Repairs
	Outdoor Lighting
	Composting
	Rain Barrels
17. CHILDPROOFING
	Safety Gates
	Window Precautions
	Room & Cabinet Doors
	Electrical Precautions
	Plumbing Safeguards
	Other Child Concerns
18. APPLIANCES
	Refrigerator
	Dishwasher
	Clothes Dryer
	Gas Furnace
	Water Heater
	Vacuum Cleaner
19. MAINTENANCE TIMELINE
	Summer
	Fall
	Winter
	Spring
	Monthly
	Yearly
20. Resources
Glossary
Photo Credits
index