Black - Black & Decker The complete photo guide to home repair: with 350 projects and over 2,000 photos

The Complete Photo Guide to

4th Edition

With 350 Projects and Over 2,000 Photos

2016 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

First published in 2016 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: (612) 344-8100 Fax: (612) 344-8692

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the copyright owners. All images in this book have been reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the artists concerned, and no responsibility is accepted by producer, publisher, or printer for any infringement of copyright or otherwise, arising from the contents of this publication. Every effort has been made to ensure that credits accurately comply with information supplied. We apologize for any inaccuracies that may have occurred and will resolve inaccurate or missing information in a subsequent reprinting of the book.

Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details contact the Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA.

Digital edition: 978-0-76035-079-9
Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-663-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.), creator.

Title: The complete photo guide to home repair : with 350 projects and over 2,000 photos.

Other titles: Black & Decker the complete photo guide to home repair | Home repair

Description: 4th edition. | Minneapolis, Minnesota : Cool Springs Press, 2016. | At head of title: Black & Decker.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015043593 | ISBN 9780760350799 (sc)

Subjects: LCSH: Dwellings--Maintenance and repair-- Amateurs manuals.

Classification: LCC TH4817.3 .C655 2016 | DDC 643/.7--dc23

LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015043593

Acquiring Editor: Mark Johanson

Project Manager: Sherry Anisi

Art Director: Brad Springer

Layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt

BLACK+DECKER and the BLACK+DECKER logo are trademarks of The Black & Decker Corporation and are used under license. All rights reserved.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and BLACK+DECKER cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

E very homeowner needs a big book: A one-stop reference that covers all the fundamental home repair tasks we face on a daily basis. And if that big book is sized so it fits nicely in your tool kit, so much the better. Thats why we originally published BLACK+DECKER The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair in its convenient 6 / 8 /inch trim size. And the fact that building codes change and new tools and techniques are always showing up is the reason weve updated our little big book in this new fourth edition.

On the following pages youll find clear, step-by-step instructions for repairing and maintaining every major system and surface in and around your house. No filler, nothing you dont needits full of hundreds of projects and thousands of photos to help you keep your home in top shape.

This fourth edition includes all the best information from previous editions, as well as new repair projects for every area of the house. Inside youll find:

Step-by-step instructions featuring pro tips and techniques. Our home improvement experts give you clear, concise directions to help you from start to finish.

Color photos of every stage of a project so youll know exactly what to expect.

Detailed anatomy photos and illustrations.

Fully updated information that complies with all current national codes.

Every area of the house is covered. In the interior repairs section, youll find comprehensive repairs for basements, walls, floors, and ceilings. Theres detailed information on minor and major repairs to flooring materials from carpet to laminate. Youll learn everything from how to make your existing windows more energy efficient to how to replace old windows with new, high-efficiency models.

When it comes to exterior repairs, we cover everything from tips for winterizing and improving energy efficiency to repairing flashing, garage door openers, stone walls, and much more. Well show you how to patch a leaky roof and repair and restore a worn patio, deck, or sidewalk. Repairs to every major siding material are also covered.

Repairs and upgrades to wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems can be the most intimidating for homeowners, and theyre almost always the most expensive to hire out. Armed with this book, youll have all the information and direction you need to tackle common wiring and plumbing projects with confidence and learn the skills to be prepared for just about any wiring or plumbing emergency.

As a homeowner, you know your home is your biggest investment. The Complete Photo Guide to Home Repair is your indispensable resource for protecting that investment.

In this chapter:

Repairing Floors

F loor coverings wear out faster than other interior surfaces because they get more wear and tear. Surface damage can affect more than just appearance. Scratches in resilient flooring and cracks in grouted tile joints can let moisture into the floors underpinnings. Hardwood floors lose their finish and become discolored. Loose boards squeak.