About the House with Henri de Marne: How to maintain, repair, upgrade, and enjoy your home
464About the House with Henri de Marne: How to maintain, repair, upgrade, and enjoy your home
464Paperback(First Edition, First edition)
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Overview
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780942679304 |
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Publisher: | Upper Access |
Publication date: | 03/31/2007 |
Edition description: | First Edition, First edition |
Pages: | 464 |
Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.20(d) |
About the Author
Table of Contents
ContentsAcknowledgments ContentsIntroduction1. Foundations, Basements, Crawlspaces Foundations for New Houses and AdditionsFoundation Repair Water and Moisture Problems in Foundations Mold, Mildew, and Musty Smells Cellars with Dirt Floors Crawl Spaces2. Roofs and Siding Venting Asphalt and Fiberglass Shingles Cedar Shingles and Shakes Roof Vegetation Metal Roofing Flat Roof Coverings Eaves Gutters Miscellaneous Roof ProblemsSiding Wood Siding Vinyl Siding Aluminum Siding Asbestos Siding Brick Houses Stone Houses Log Houses Stucco Miscellaneous Types of Siding Miscellaneous Issues3. Windows and Doors New and Replacement Windows and Doors Warranties Comfort and Energy Efficiency Overheating and UV Damage Cleaning and Polishing Window Components Repairing Damaged Windows and Doors Paint, Varnish, and Other Finish Work Moisture Problems Miscellaneous Issues4. Plumbing, Electricity, HVAC Plumbing Hot Water Water Color and Quality Bad Smells Noisy Plumbing Toilets Faucets, Sinks, Tubs Water Supply, Pipes, Connections Septic Systems Drains Plumbing Vents Exhaust VentsElectrical Systems Wiring Issues Lighting Miscellaneous Electrical QuestionsHeating and Cooling Health and Safety Noisy Heating Systems Problems Caused by Modern Upgrades Keeping Temperatures Even Throughout the House Options for Upgrading Heating Systems Heating and AC-Related Repairs System Maintenance Closing Down a House for the Winter Cold-Weather Problems Saving Energy Aesthetic Issues Chimneys Fireplaces5. Kitchens and Baths Fixtures Tubs, Showers, and Surrounds Sinks Toilets Built-Ins Counters Cabinets Appliances Refrigerators Cookstoves Dishwashers Moisture Problems Mold and Mildew Protection from water damage Grout and Caulk6. Interior Surfaces: Floors, Ceilings, and WallsMiscellaneous Kitchen & Bathroom Issues Squeaky Floors Wood Floors, Maintenance and Repair Vinyl Flooring, Maintenance and Repair Carpets and Rugs Ceramic and Quarry Tile Brick, Stone, and Related Materials Basement Floors and WallsWalls: Plaster, Drywall, Wood, and Related Materials Ceilings: Cracks, Sags, Dirt and Streaks Paint and Other Finishes Wallpaper Structural Issues7. Insulation Insulating the Foundation Foundation Insulation and Vapor Retarders Insulating a Finished Basement Other Ways to Improve Foundation Insulation Roof Insulation Insulation and Ceilings Improving Insulation in Existing Homes Unintended Effects of Improved Insulation8. Critters, Pests and other Nuisances Ants and Termites Wasps and Bees Mice Moths and Carpet Beetles Squirrels and Chipmunks Flies of Various Types Miscellaneous Pests Beneficial Creatures Birds Pets Health and Safety Issues9. Outside the House Driveways Walkways Porches Decks Patios Garages, Carports, and Sheds Fences, Walls, and Railings Outdoor Stoops and Stairs Outdoor Furniture and Equipment Lawns Landscaping Issues Septic and Drainage Pools and PondsResources Index About the AuthorPreface
Some of the questions are extremely serious and come up again and again—covering important issues such as damage caused by improper grading around a foundation, inadequate vapor barriers, incorrect venting, or termites and other pests. Some readers have asked for general advice, such as the best choicesfor heating and cooling or the longest-lasting siding materials. Others have specific questions, such as how to remove mirror tiles that are glued to a wall or how to get rid of moss or mold on the north side of a roof.
It sometimes seems like every possible issue involving houses has been covered from every angle, yet readers continue to provide me with fresh material to write about every week. Houses are complex systems, so there are always new issues and new angles to discuss. That’s what makes my job as a columnist enjoyable and challenging.
But a book has one significant advantage over a newspaper column—it can combine a lot of information that is readily available at the time it’s needed. When your plaster ceiling suddenly starts sagging, or your radiator mysteriously stops heating up, or you find specks all over your aluminum siding that you can’t wash off, you may not remember the information from the last time you read about it in the newspaper. Now, you can easily look up the answers whenever you need them.
Regardless of whether you have been a regaular reader of my column, I hope you’ll enjoy browsing through the book to learn more about the house you live in, and that you’ll keep it handy as a reference for repairs, maintenance, and improvement,