Why is my faucet leaking, my toilet running, or my dishwasher refusing to start? Can I fix it myself? What's causing the heating system to smell bad or the foundation to crack? Do I need an air filtration system? Is the new "engineered lumber" as good as conventional wood? These are just a few examples of questions homeowners face when repairs are needed, or when a new house or addition is being planned.
There's no question that it pays to be an informed consumer. Knowledge of your home's systems helps you control repair and construction costs and make sure the correct elements are being installed or replaced.
This book uncovers the mysteries behind just about every major appliance and building element in your house. Clear, "exploded" drawings show you exactly how these things should be put together and how they function - what to check if they don't work, and what you can do that might save you having to call in a professional.
The easy-to-understand pictures and explanations on every page get right to the point, helping you understand how things work, what can go wrong, and how to trouble-shoot a problem.
Virtually everything in your house is included:
Electrical - circuit breakers and grounding, service, outlets, lamps and fixtures.
Heating and Air conditioning - gas, electrical and oil - ductwork and piping, thermostats, central and window AC units, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and air filtering systems.
Plumbing - kitchen and bath fixtures, piping, water heaters, traps and vents, septic tanks, pumps and water softener systems - even sprinkler systems and swimming pool filters/heaters.
Major household appliances - from kitchen to laundry.
Foundation, framing, doors and windows - including issues like drainage and radon, types of framing and how it supports the house, and all types of doors and windows.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
A good book for newbies:
I'm a 100% newbie, and the book is very helpful to me. I especially like the illustrations, simple and to the point.
Excellent Overview...:
I think this book is a great reference to have on hand, but even more, I actually enjoyed reading it cover to cover upon arrival. Now that I'm familiar with the contents, I'll know better where to look when I need to fix something.
Excellent "How To" Manual:
The best features of this book are the diagrams. If you are a visual person, then this is the book for you. In addition to the clear, concise step-by-step instructions, the diagrams provide the added help to ensure your full understanding. A must-have for home owners.
great for first time home buyers:
this is a nice, solid little book - its really quite interesting and informative - presented in a clear way. The illustrations are very helpful - this seems like it would be a good foundation book to have if you are a new home buyer especially.
