Table of Contents
Introduction
Tools and Skills
001 Build a Basic Toolbox
002 Master Layout and Measuring
003 Screw It Better
004 Smooth Things Out
005 Splurge on These Tools
006 Drill Down on Options
007 Avoid Tearout
008 Get the Right Drill Bit
009 Sort Out Saws
010 Do It by Hand
011 Use the Right Terms
012 Get into a Spiral (Saw)
013 Meet the Multi-Tool
014 Scout Out Routers
015 Get a Good Compressor
016 Get some Air
017 Rent the Big Stuff
018 Power Up
019 Get Stuck on Glues
020 Clamp Down
021 Glue It Right the First Time
022 Stick to It
023 Seal Up Windows
024 Use Foil Tape Gently
025 Wrap Thread Seal Tape
026 Press It Down
027 Level Up
028 Enjoy the Laser Show
029 Use a Multipurpose Speed Square
030 Get Your Gear Together
031 Apply Your Paint
032 Clean Up
033 Organize to Optimize
034 Get Out of the Shop
035 Store Smarter
036 Deal with Rust
037 Recycle What You Can
038 Grease It Up
039 Winterize Tools
040 Fire It Up
041 Raise an Extension Ladder Properly
042 Choose the Right Ladder
043 Know Your Ladder(s)
044 Be Stable
045 Reach New Heights
046 Suit Up for Safety
047 Push It Real Good
040 Save Your Ears
049 Charge Ahead Wisely
050 Store It Safely
051 Get the Lead Out
052 Avoid Asbestos
053 Test for Radon Gas
054 Get Wired
055 Connect It Right
056 Go Nuts
057 Power Up
058 Know Your Pipes
059 Try Something New
060 Understand Plumbing 101
061 Know Your Limits
062 Choose the Best Caulk Gun
063 Seal It Up
064 Caulk like a Pro
065 Make Cleanup Easier
066 Handle Hazardous Waste
067 Study Chemistry
068 Dispose of Debris
Quick Fixes
069 Inspect Your Home
070 Watch for Water
071 Check the Exterior
072 Get Up on the Roof
073 Check It Out Inside
074 Check Pipes and Ducts
075 Get a Good Foundation
Energy Efficiency
076 Understand Insulation
077 Know Your Materials
078 Search for Leaks
079 Fill the Gaps
080 Lay a Better Bead
081 Seal a Leaky Doorway
082 Be a Happy Hacker
083 Stay in the Zone
084 Save Energy
085 Join the Program
086 Change Your Filter
087 Get Ready for Winter
088 Keep Warm for Less
089 Hit the Decks
090 Flip the Deck Boards
Plumbing
091 Clear the Clogs
092 Try this Solution
093 Plunge a Sink
094 Use a Snake (or Not)
095 Clean the Main Drain
096 Know Your Toilet
097 Troubleshoot a Trickling Toilet
098 Get a Royal Flush
099 Solder Copper Pipe
100 Plan the Installation
101 Solder Safely
102 Tackle Tank Trouble
103 Handle Brass Valves
104 Join PVC Piping
105 Shut Down a Leak
106 Thaw Frozen Pipes
107 Try Push-Fit Connections
108 Use Self-Fusing Tape
Electrical
109 Light the Bathroom
110 Cook Up a Kitchen Scheme
111 Know Your Wiring Basics
112 Use the Right Bulb
113 Update Fixtures
114 Get Grounded
115 Keep Up with Technology
116 Test Your GFCI
117 Know Your Outlets
118 Assess Your Options
119 Replace a Two-Pronged Outlet
120 Replace a Standard Single-Pole Breaker
121 Choose the Right Replacement
122 Test a Bad Breaker
123 Install a New Thermostat
124 Upgrade Your Thermostat
125 Customize Landscape Lighting
About the House
126 Fight the Fungi
127 Spot Clean
128 Tackle Major Damage
129 Seal Your Home Up Tight
130 Keep the Water Out
131 Look for Moisture
132 Upgrade Your Look
133 Come Unhinged
134 Paint Your Registers
135 Handle It
136 Install Custom Closet Shelves
137 Mount Shelves
138 Join the Industry
139 Remove Old Wallpaper
140 Know the Score
141 Use a Chemical Stripper
142 Strip with Steam
143 Silence a Squeaky Floor
144 Stabilize a Floor
145 Repair a Carpet Bubble
146 Give Threads Something to Grab
147 Find Parts on the Web
148 Use Wood Filler
149 Hide Scratches
150 Steam It Out
Outdoors
151 Take Care of Your Roof
152 Do an Inspection
153 Apply Some Pressure
154 Sluice the Siding
155 Watch Your Wood
156 Patch Wood Rot with Putty
157 Perform Surgery
158 Use Two-Part Epoxy
159 Patch It Up
160 Take the Tube
161 Care for Concrete
162 Go to Reform School
163 Treat Yourself
164 Try Sturdy Softwoods
165 Size It Up
166 Go Exotic
167 Do a Deck Check
168 Keep It Sparkling
Weekend Projects
Print and Trim
169 Spray It
170 Pick the Right Paint
171 Get the Right Sheen
172 Fill a Hole
173 Make a Panel Patch
174 Repair Plaster
175 Batten Down
176 Bite the Bullet
177 Get Ready for Prime Time
178 Brush It Right
179 Be a High Roller
180 Tape and Protect
181 Prep for Outdoor Painting
182 Spiff Up Siding
183 Paint Concrete Floors
184 Prep Metals
185 Work with Wood
186 Add Knockdown Texture
187 Apply Faux Finishes
188 Know Trim Basics
189 Finish the Room
190 Learn to Cope
191 Learn from the Pros
192 Get High
193 Install Crown Molding
194 Install Outside Corners
195 Scarf It Up
196 Tool Up
197 Get a Complex
198 Go Miterless
199 Install Wainscoting
200 Go Prefab
201 Fake It
Windows and Doors
202 Get Filled In on Framing
203 Know Your Limitations
204 Wrap Your Head Around Headers
205 Put It on a Plate
206 Get a Trim
207 Select Your Window Style
208 Get a Great Look With Grids
209 Be Energy Efficient
210 Pick Your Materials
211 Measure a Window for Replacement
212 Replace Metal Windows in Brick Homes
213 Do It Yourself (or Get Help)
214 Trim Your Windows
215 Jamb On
216 Give Your Window an Apron
217 Case the Joint
218 Put Your Window on a Stool
219 Check the Exterior
220 Get Anchored
221 Go Inside
222 Add Another Door
223 Know Your Doors
224 Pull Out the Stops
225 Put In a New Window
226 Check the Final Fit
227 Brick Your Window
228 Replace a Pre-Hung Door
229 Learn to Use Shims
230 Double Up
231 Install a Handle-Set
232 Install a Door Trim Kit
Interior Improvements
233 Replace a Faucet
234 Fix a Shower Faucet
235 Get a Valve Set
Kitchens and Bathrooms
236 Install a Toilet
237 Install Laminate
238 Clean Up a Counter
239 Make Clean Cuts
240 Make Contact Properly
241 Cover Big Counters
242 Coat a Countertop
243 Edge It Right
244 Refinish Your Kitchen Cabinets
245 Take them Apart
246 Sand or Strip
247 Apply New Paint
248 Put It Together
Outdoors
249 Preserve Outdoor Wood
250 Treat New Wood
251 Fix Weathered Wood
252 Apply Stain Properly
253 Use a Conditioner
254 Improve Old Stain
255 Install Gutters and Downspouts
256 Chalk the Slope
257 Cut It Down to Size
258 Preassemble Your Gutters
259 Hang 'Em High
260 Get the Downspouts Done
261 Fasten It Yourself
262 Set a Concrete Slab
263 Make a Joint
264 Cure Your Concrete
Big Projects
Tile
265 Work Well with Tile
266 Plan Your Installation
267 Prep Your Tiles
268 Get the Right Layout
269 Install Your Tiles
270 Apply Sealant
271 Make Straight Cuts
272 Nip It into Shape
273 Whet Your Wet Saw
274 Drill Tile And Glass
275 Install Mosaic Tile
Flooring
276 Put In a New Floor
277 Prep Your Site
278 Use Barrier Protection
279 Install a Floating Floor
280 Be Ready to Float
281 Lay the Floor
282 Set a Solid Wood Floor
283 Ready the New Floor
284 Lay Out the Boards
285 Be Resilient
286 Get It Ready
287 Float a Vinyl Floor
288 Peel and Stick It
Decks
289 Build a Deck
290 Consider Your Design
291 Lead With a Ledger Board
292 Get the Right Layout
293 Get Good Footing
294 Install Your Framing
295 Get On Deck
296 Add Railings to Your Deck
297 Select Your Stair System
298 Consider Your Options
299 Make Stairs Simpler
Fences
300 Build a Fence
301 Plan Your Layout
302 Dig Deep
303 Post Up
304 String 'Em Up
305 Go Picketing
306 Make a Big Finish
307 Give Your Fence a Gate
Built-in Shelving
308 Shelve It
309 Demolish a Wall
310 Create a Case
311 Make Your Shelves
312 Install the Shelves
313 Add Trim Work
Carpet
314 Put In Your Own Carpet
315 Seam the Sections
316 Stretch Your Carpet
317 Edge It Out
318 Go Modular
Repair Wood Floor
319 Find Lost Treasure
320 Fix Damaged Flooring
321 Finish the Floor
Index
Image Credits
Acknowledgments
