Home Maintenance For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	Conventions Used in This Book
	What You’re Not to Read
	Foolish Assumptions
	How This Book Is Organized
		Part 1: Home Maintenance and You
		Part 2: The Energy Envelope
		Part 3: Key Systems — Plumbing and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning)
		Part 4: Inside Home Sweet Home
		Part 5: Out in the Great Wide Open
		Part 6: The Part of Tens
	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
			From little to big
			From inside to outside
		Benefiting from a Little TLC
			To your health (and safety)
			Comfort: You’ll miss it if it’s gone
			Money in the bank
				Avoiding more expensive repairs
				Increasing efficiency
				Maintaining and increasing your home’s value
		Ready-Set-Go!
	Chapter 2 Getting to Know Your House and Its Systems
		The Exterior: It’s Nice to Fool Mother Nature
			Your home’s infrastructure: The foundation and floor frame
				The foundation
				The floor frame
			Roofing and siding: Your home’s protective coat
			Windows, exterior doors, and insulation
				Windows and doors
				Insulation
			Walkways, patios, and driveways
			Decks
			Fences
			Retaining walls
		The Interior: Your Home’s Insides
			The plumbing system
				Pipes and water heaters
				Fixtures
				The drain, waste, and vent system
			The heating, cooling, and ventilating systems
				Heating
				Air conditioning
				Ventilation systems
			Interior walls and ceilings
			Floors and interior doors
				Floors
				Doors
			Cabinets and countertops
			Appliances
			Fireplaces: Traditional and gas
			Your home-safety systems
	Chapter 3 Creating Your Home Maintenance Plan
		Creating Your What-to-Tackle List
			Musts: Ensuring safety and health
			Shoulds: Reducing costs and preventing problems
			Coulds: Improving appearance and function
			Putting together your maintenance plan
		Setting a Smart Home-Maintenance Schedule
			Things to do annually
			Things to do seasonally
				Spring
				Fall
				Winter
			Things to do monthly
			Shutting-down checklist
			Other periodic maintenance tasks
		Paying Attention to Safety
			Wearing the right clothing and safety gear
			Following safe work habits
		Choosing DIY or Going Pro: Know When to Call for Backup
			Finding a pro
			Getting a quote
			Selecting a pro
Part 2 The Energy Envelope
	Chapter 4 Foundation and Floor Frame Fundamentals
		Focusing on the Foundation
			Types of foundations: Slabs, basements, and crawlspaces
			Foundation materials
		Fixing Common Foundation Problems
			Cracking the code of foundation cracks
				Sealing cracks in concrete foundations and slabs
				Tuck-pointing brick and block foundations
			Tackling spalling
			Is there a fungus among us? Dealing with efflorescence
		Keeping Your Basement and Crawlspace Dry
			Where basement leaks wait to happen: Start outside
				Designing and cleaning gutters to keep water away
				Making the grade to keep water away
				Other sources of moisture under your home
				Basement water collection systems: The sump pump
			Freshening the air: Dealing with dehumidification
				Selecting a dehumidifier
				Crawlspace vapor barriers
			What to do if your basement floods
		Tackling Squeaks and Slopes in the Floors
			Step-by-step tips to silence squeaking floors
				First up: Finding the squeak
				Fixing the squeak
			Getting on the level with your floors
				First things first: Stabilize the soil around your foundation
				Take your floor to new heights with a floor-leveling compound
				Shimming your way to a perfectly level floor
				Sistering: Your floor joist’s new best friend
				Sistering a sagging set of floor joists using screw jacks
	Chapter 5 Roofing and Siding
		Understanding Your Roof: The Fifth Wall of Your Home
			Staying safe on the roof
			Cleanliness is next to godliness
			Replacing an asphalt shingle
			Preserving a wood-shake or shingle roof
			Exposing the naked truth about flashing
			Stopping ice dams cold
			Finding a roof leak
		Getting Your Mind into the Gutter
			Cleaning gutters and downspouts
			Maintaining gutter-protection systems
		Siding: A Raincoat to Keep You Dry
			Vinyl siding
			Stucco surface ‘siding’
				Caring for cracks
				Taking a chunk out of gouges
				Painting stucco
			Wood siding
				Preparing painted surfaces
			Fiber cement siding
	Chapter 6 Windows, Exterior Doors, and Insulation
		Saving Energy with Insulation
			Demystifying insulation: Types and materials
				Insulation types
				Insulation materials
			Understanding R-values
			Finding out where to add insulation around your house
				Oh where, oh where does my energy go? Insulating attics, walls, and floors!
				Insulating water pipes
				Insulating HVAC ducts
			Controlling air leaks in your ceilings, walls, and floors
				Locating leaks
				Stopping infiltration
		Looking at Windows: See the Light, Feel the Cold
			Dealing with water and air leaks
				Caulking
				Expanding spray foam
				Weatherstripping
			Preventing condensation
			Maintaining storm windows
			Maintaining screens
				Cleaning screens
				Patching a screen
				Replacing a screen
			Buying new windows
			Looking at window installation styles
		Getting In and Out: Maintaining Exterior Doors
			Fixing leaks between the threshold and door bottom
			Stopping air leaks with weatherstripping and sealant
			Caring for and painting wood
			Finding solutions for sliding glass doors
				Keeping sliding doors clean and lubricated
				Adjusting (or replacing) the rollers
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
			Why water pipes leak
			How to repair leaks in copper pipes
			How to repair a copper pipe with PEX
		Protecting Pipes in Frigid Weather
			Using an ounce of prevention
			Applying quick fixes for burst pipes
				Turning off the water valve
				Stopping pinhole leaks
				Using a sleeve clamp for larger leaks
		Quieting Noisy Water Pipes
			Combating water hammer
				Tightening loose pipe-mounting straps
				Installing water hammer arrestors
				Replenishing air chambers
			Adjusting excessively-high water pressure
		Some Like It Hot: Checking Out Your Water Heater
			Maintaining your water heater
				Insulating for improved efficiency
				Keeping your water heater clear of sludge
				Avoiding rust
				Controlling temperature when things get too hot
				Testing the temperature and pressure relief valve
			Preventing “Shower Shock!” Dealing with sudden blasts of cold water
				Tightening the cold-water shut-off valve
				Securing your water heater to a wall
			Maintaining your gas water heater
				The controller: The brains of the operation
				The burner: Just an old flame
				The thermocouple
				The venting system
			Maintaining your electric water heater
				Cleaning your water heater’s electric elements
				Fixing a defective thermostat or tripped limit switch
			Caring for your tankless 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
			Stainless-steel fixtures
			Porcelain-on-steel and porcelain- on-cast-iron fixtures
			Fiberglass fixtures
			Composite fixtures
			Vitreous china fixtures
		Cleaning Your Faucet Works
			Cleaning the aerator
			Cleaning and polishing the outside of a faucet
			Removing copper residue
		Toilet Training 101
			Toilet running? Here’s how to catch it!
			Cleaning the toilet
				Cleaning the siphon jets
				Removing a ring around the bowl
			Unclogging toilets
			Preventing a sweaty tank
			Looking for leaks in and around the toilet
				The shut-off valve at the wall
				Where the supply tube connects
				The area where the tank connects to the bowl
				The toilet’s exterior surface
				Between the base of the toilet and the floor
		Maintaining Tubs and Showers
			Keeping your tubs and showers clean
			Cleaning and adjusting glass shower doors
				Cleaning glass shower doors
				Cleaning shower door tracks
				Adjusting shower door tracks
		Keeping Your Tile Terrific
			Sealing out grout grunge
			Cleaning grubby grout
			Staining grubby grout
			Replacing grout
				Removing the old grout and debris
				Re-grouting your tile
			Replacing a broken tile
			Re-caulking tubs and showers
				Removing old caulk
				Getting rid of mildew
				Applying new caulk
	Chapter 9 Plumbing, Part III: Sewer and Septic Systems
		Uncovering Sewer-System Basics
		Keeping Your System Clog-Free
			Being careful what you put down the drain
			Doing preventive pipe cleaning
			A word about commercial drain cleaners
			Dealing with drains that stink
		Unclogging the Waste Lines
		Keeping Vents Free from Debris
			Getting rid of blockages
				Dealing with clogs
			Putting preventive measures in place
		Avoiding Problems with P-Traps
		Determining Your Sewer System’s Fall
		Maintaining Your Septic System
			Being careful about what goes in
			Cleaning and pumping your septic tank
	Chapter 10 Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems
		Making Friends with the Monster: Your Furnace or Boiler
			Identifying the types of heating systems
			Looking at forced-air heating systems
				Inspecting and servicing a forced-air furnace
				Replacing the filter
				Cleaning the blower compartment
				Getting your ducts in a row
				Troubleshooting uneven heating or cooling systems
			Looking at hot-water heating systems
				Gauging the pressure
				Bleeding the radiators
			Looking at steam heating systems
				Making your own adjustments
				Maintaining your radiators
			Looking at electric heating systems
				About heat pumps
		Ventilation: Letting Your House Breathe
			Locating interior ventilation
				Range hoods
				Bathroom exhaust fans
			Pointing out structural ventilation
				Crawlspace ventilation
		Big or Small, an Air Conditioner Cools Y’all
			Maintaining a central air-conditioning system
			How to test a central air conditioner
			Choosing a mini-split ductless air conditioner
			Choosing a window air-conditioning unit
Part 4 Inside Home Sweet Home
	Chapter 11 Walls and Ceilings
		Cleaning Walls and Ceilings
		Dealing with Drywall
			Repairing small cracks
			Filling bigger cracks
			Filling holes like a pro
				Repairing small holes
				Repairing large holes
			Tackling truss uplift
			Putting the stop on nail pops
		Plastering: More Trouble than You May Want
			Fixing small cracks and holes
			Dealing with sagging and other big problems
		Interior Painting: Doing the Job Right
			Prepping makes perfect
			Gathering your paint and painting supplies
				Selecting a primer
				Selecting a paint
				Getting the right painting tools
			Painting made easy
			Cleaning up right
			Storing leftover paint and making it last
		Making Paneling Look Like New
		Wondering about Wallpaper
			Removing wallpaper
			Fixing loose seams and clean tears
			Patching wallpaper
	Chapter 12 Floors and Interior Doors
		What’s Underfoot? Flooring
			Vanquishing vinyl trouble
				Scuff marks
				Persistent grubbiness
				Yellow discoloration
				Mildew and mold below the surface of the vinyl
			Loving laminate
			Repairing ceramic tile
			Keeping hardwood happy
			Going for engineered hardwood
			Keeping carpet clean
				Spot-cleaning carpets
				Cleaning entire carpets
				Re-stretching/Re-attaching carpets
				De-stinking smelly carpet
		Dealing with Interior Doors
			Mastering common door-maintenance tasks
				Adjusting a sticking door
				Repairing a door that closes by itself
				Repairing a loose hinge
				Cutting to accommodate carpet
			Working with different types of doors
				Bypass and bifold doors
				Pocket doors
			Turning knobs, locking locks, and latching latches
				Dirty doorknobs
				Someone told us your screws were loose
				The strike plate
				Lipstick to the rescue
				Loving your locks
	Chapter 13 Cabinets and Countertops
		Cleaning Kitchen Cabinets
		Something Old Is Something New: Refinishing Your Cabinets
			Getting your cabinets ready for refinishing
			Steps for cabinet painting perfection
			Maintaining your cabinets
		Counter Intelligence: Cleaning and Caring for Your Countertops
			Cleaning tile countertops and backsplashes
			Caring for super solid surfaces
				Protecting marvelous marble
				Caring for granite countertops
				Caring for quartz countertops
		Countertop Conversions: Transforming Your Old Countertop into a Stone, Granite, or Marble Masterpiece
	Chapter 14 Appliances
		Safety First
			Keeping your gas appliances safe
			Staying safe when using your electric appliances
		Caring for Your Cooktop
			Cleaning up the cooking crud
			Maintaining your electric range and cooktop
			Keeping your gas range and cooktop in tip-top shape
				Cleaning removable gas burners
				Cleaning nonremovable sealed gas burners
				Cleaning the connector tube
		Opening the Door and Rolling Up Your Sleeves: The Oven
			Cleaning your oven
				Cleaning the interior
				Cleaning the window glass
				Cleaning behind the range
			Checking the oven temperature control
			Replacing the oven light
		Cleaning Your Range Hood
		Microwave Maintenance
		Cleaning Your Dishwasher
		Cleaning Your Fridge and Freezer
			Taking care of the condenser coils
			Cleaning the gasket
			Keeping the interior clean and fresh-smelling
			Maintaining inline water filtration
		Prolonging the Life of Your Washer and Dryer
			Cleaning your washing machine
			Keeping your dryer’s lint traps lint free
			Taking care of the dryer vent
			Knowing what to do when the dryer suddenly stops
	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
			Maintaining the flashing and flue pipe
			Sealing and protecting brick chimneys
			Arresting sparks and other hazards
		Cleaning a Soot-Covered Brick Fireplace Face
		Making the Most out of Glass Doors and Screens
			Cleaning glass fireplace doors
			Giving sluggish glass doors a pick-me-up
			Screening out sparks
	Chapter 16 Maintaining Your Home-Safety Systems
		Using Smart Strategies for Fire Prevention
			Shopping for smoke detectors
			Choosing the right fire extinguisher
		Preventing Carbon-Monoxide Poisoning
			Maintaining carbon-monoxide detectors
			Spotting sources of carbon monoxide
		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
			Cleaning off grease and oil stains
				Plan A: TSP concrete cleaner
				Plan B: Muriatic acid
			Cleaning up mildew
			Patching cracks
			Sealing concrete
			Painting your concrete
				Looking at types of concrete paint
				Doing the job right
			Resurfacing deteriorated concrete
			Repairing concrete steps
		Getting Things on an Even Keel
			Leveling settled brick patios and walkways
			Leveling and resetting stone paths
			Sealing an asphalt driveway
		Mastering Masonry Maintenance: Cleaning, Repair, and Sealing
			Dealing with stress cracks
			Cleaning your masonry
			Applying a sealer
	Chapter 18 Decks, Fences, and Retaining Walls
		Preserving Wood
			Painting
			Applying a preservative
			Staining
		Cleaning Your Wood Structures
			Pressure-washing
			Using a wood brightener
		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
			Choosing your primer and topcoat
			Applying the paint
		Stripping Off Rust
			Step 1: Removing rusted fasteners
			Step 2: Getting rid of the rust
				A little bit (or a lot) of elbow grease
				Using chemical removers
			Step 3: Repairing damage to the surface
		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
EULA