Home Maintenance For Dummies

Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
   About This Book
   Conventions Used in This Book
   What You’re Not to Read
   Foolish Assumptions
   How This Book Is Organized
   Icons Used in This Book
   Beyond the Book
   Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Home Maintenance and You
   Chapter 1: Home Maintenance: What It Is and Why It Matters
      Keeping Up with Upkeep
      Benefiting from a Little TLC
      Ready-Set-Go!
   Chapter 2: Getting to Know Your House and Its Systems
      The Exterior: It’s Nice to Fool Mother Nature
      The Interior: Your Home’s Insides
   Chapter 3: Creating Your Home Maintenance Plan
      Creating Your What-to-Tackle List
      Setting a Smart Home-Maintenance Schedule
      Paying Attention to Safety
      Choosing DIY or Going Pro: Know When to Call for Backup
Part 2: The Energy Envelope
   Chapter 4: Foundation and Floor Frame Fundamentals
      Focusing on the Foundation
      Fixing Common Foundation Problems
      Keeping Your Basement and Crawlspace Dry
      Tackling Squeaks and Slopes in the Floors
   Chapter 5: Roofing and Siding
      Understanding Your Roof: The Fifth Wall of Your Home
      Getting Your Mind into the Gutter
      Siding: A Raincoat to Keep You Dry
   Chapter 6: Windows, Exterior Doors, and Insulation
      Saving Energy with Insulation
      Looking at Windows: See the Light, Feel the Cold
      Getting In and Out: Maintaining Exterior Doors
Part 3: Key Systems — Plumbing and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
   Chapter 7: Plumbing, Part I: Pipes, Water Heaters, Water Softeners, and More
      Essential Plumbing Preparedness! Turning Off Your Main Water Valve
      Replacing a Damaged Section of Pipe
      Protecting Pipes in Frigid Weather
      Quieting Noisy Water Pipes
      Some Like It Hot: Checking Out Your Water Heater
      Softening Your Water
      Wishing Your Well Is Working Well
   Chapter 8: Plumbing, Part II: Fixtures
      Maintaining Fixture Surfaces: Stainless Steel, Cast Iron, Fiberglass, and More
      Cleaning Your Faucet Works
      Toilet Training 101
      Maintaining Tubs and Showers
      Keeping Your Tile Terrific
   Chapter 9: Plumbing, Part III: Sewer and Septic Systems
      Uncovering Sewer-System Basics
      Keeping Your System Clog-Free
      Unclogging the Waste Lines
      Keeping Vents Free from Debris
      Avoiding Problems with P-Traps
      Determining Your Sewer System’s Fall
      Maintaining Your Septic System
   Chapter 10: Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems
      Making Friends with the Monster: Your Furnace or Boiler
      Ventilation: Letting Your House Breathe
      Big or Small, an Air Conditioner Cools Y’all
Part 4: Inside Home Sweet Home
   Chapter 11: Walls and Ceilings
      Cleaning Walls and Ceilings
      Dealing with Drywall
      Plastering: More Trouble than You May Want
      Interior Painting: Doing the Job Right
      Making Paneling Look Like New
      Wondering about Wallpaper
   Chapter 12: Floors and Interior Doors
      What’s Underfoot? Flooring
      Dealing with Interior Doors
   Chapter 13: Cabinets and Countertops
      Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
      Something Old Is Something New: Refinishing Your Cabinets
      Counter Intelligence: Cleaning and Caring for Your Countertops
      Countertop Conversions: Transforming Your Old Countertop into a Stone, Granite, or Marble Masterpiece
   Chapter 14: Appliances
      Safety First
      Caring for Your Cooktop
      Opening the Door and Rolling Up Your Sleeves: The Oven
      Cleaning Your Range Hood
      Microwave Maintenance
      Cleaning Your Dishwasher
      Cleaning Your Fridge and Freezer
      Prolonging the Life of Your Washer and Dryer
   Chapter 15: Don’t Get Burned: Fireplaces
      Keeping Your Fireplace Clean and Safe
      Staying on Top of Fireplace Cracks
      Dealing with the Damper
      Caring for the Outside of Your Chimney
      Cleaning a Soot-Covered Brick Fireplace Face
      Making the Most out of Glass Doors and Screens
   Chapter 16: Maintaining Your Home-Safety Systems
      Using Smart Strategies for Fire Prevention
      Preventing Carbon-Monoxide Poisoning
      Keeping Your Natural-Gas Line Safe
      Shining a Light on Electrical Safety
      Avoiding Shocks and Sparks
      Maintaining Your Burglar Alarm
      Navigating the Ups and Downs of Automatic Garage-Door Opener Safety
Part 5: Out in the Great Wide Open
   Chapter 17: Walkways, Patios, and Driveways
      Cementing Your Relationship with Concrete
      Getting Things on an Even Keel
      Mastering Masonry Maintenance: Cleaning, Repair, and Sealing
   Chapter 18: Decks, Fences, and Retaining Walls
      Preserving Wood
      Cleaning Your Wood Structures
      Tightening Loose Rails, Fence Boards, and Fence Posts
      Straightening Sagging Gates
      Termite Troubles: Keeping Your House Off the Menu
      Extending the Life of a Wood Retaining Wall
   Chapter 19: And Then There Was Rust
      Painting Tactics to Defeat Rust
      Stripping Off Rust
      When All Else Fails: Converting Rust
Part 6: The Part of Tens
   Chapter 20: Ten Cleaning Solutions You Can Make at Home
      All-Purpose, Handy-Dandy Cleaner
      DIY Cleanser Scrub
      Gentle Glass Cleaner
      Natural Carpet Freshener
      People-Friendly Oven Cleaner
      Super-Duper Disinfectant Cleaner
      Cola Concrete Stain Remover
      Easy All-Surface Mildew Remover
      Foamy Drain Freshener and Cleaner
      Universal Roof-Cleaning Formula
   Chapter 21: Ten (or so) Maintenance Skills You Need
      Caulking
      Knowing How (and What) to Lubricate
      Recognizing and Testing for Problems
      Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
      Knowing Your Valves
      Painting
      Knowing How to Shut Things Off
      Venting Moisture from Your Home
      Replacing Filters and Cleaning Sensors
      Checking On the Chimney
      Tackling 10 Home Maintenance Tasks in Under 10 Minutes Each
   Chapter 22: Ten Smart Home Products to Revolutionize Your Living Space
      Smart Speakers
      Smart Thermostats
      Smart Lighting
      Smart Door Locks
      Smart Home Security Systems
      Smart Plugs
      Smart Water Valves
      Smart Home Battery Solutions
      Smart Heating and Cooling Systems
      Smart Appliances
Index
About the Author
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