HOME/HOUSE REPAIR BOOK:CLEAN,MAINTAIN,CARE+PROTECT,FIX!

# Paperback: 96 pages
# Publisher: Ortho Books (May 1983)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 089721014X
# ISBN-13: 978-0897210140

Care and maintenance for upkeep of a house.

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SOME GENERAL INFO ABOUT Home repair
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 This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2007)

Home repair involves the diagnosis and resolution of problems in a home, and is related to home maintenance to avoid such problems. Many types of repairs are "Do it yourself" (DIY) projects, while others may be so complicated, time-consuming or risky as to suggest the assistance of a qualified handyman, property manager, contractor/builder, or other professionals. Repair is not necessarily the same as home improvement, although many improvements can result from repairs or maintenance. Often the costs of larger repairs will justify the alternative of investment in full-scale improvements. It may make just as much sense to upgrade a home system (with an improved one) as to repair it or incur ever-more-frequent and expensive maintenance for an inefficient, obsolete or dying system. For a DIY project, it is also useful to establish limits on how much time and money you're willing to invest before deciding a repair (or list of repairs) is overwhelming and discouraging, and less likely to ever be completed.
Contents

    * 1 Worn, consumed, dull, dirty, clogged
    * 2 Broken or damaged
    * 3 Maintenance
    * 4 Good operations
    * 5 Remediation of environmental problems
    * 6 See also
    * 7 References

 Worn, consumed, dull, dirty, clogged

Repairs often mean simple replacement of worn or used components intended to be periodically renewed by a homeowner, such as burnt out light bulbs, worn out batteries, or overfilled vacuum cleaner bags. Another class of home repairs relates to restoring something to a useful condition, such as sharpening tools or utensils, replacing leaky faucet washers, cleaning out plumbing traps, rain gutters. Because of the required precision, specialized tools, or hazards, some of these are best left to experts such as a plumber. One emergency repair that may be necessary in this area is overflowing toilets. Most of them have a shutoff valve on a pipe beneath or behind them so that the water supply can be removed while repairs are made, either by removing a clog or repairing a broken mechanism.

 Broken or damaged

Perhaps the most perplexing repairs facing a homeowner are broken or damaged things. In today's era of built-in obsolescence for many products, it is often more convenient to replace something rather than attempt to repair it. A repairman is faced with the tasks of accurately identifying the problem, then finding the materials, supplies, tools and skills necessary to sufficiently effect the repair. Some things, such as broken windows, appliances or furniture can be carried to a repair shop, but there are many repairs that can be performed easily enough, such as patching holes in plaster and drywall, cleaning stains, repairing cracked windows and their screens, or replacing a broken electrical switch or outlet. Other repairs may have some urgency, such as a broken water pipes, broken doors, latches or windows, or a leaky roof or water tank, and this factor can certainly justify calling for professional help. A home handyman may become adept at dealing with such immediate repairs, to avoid further damage or loss, until a professional can be summoned.

 Maintenance

Periodic maintenance also falls under the general class of home repairs. These are inspections, adjustments, cleanings, or replacements that should be done regularly to ensure proper functioning of all the systems in a house, and to avoid costly emergencies. Examples include annual testing and adjustment of alarm systems, central heating or cooling systems (electrodes, thermocouples, and fuel filters), replacement of water treatment components or air-handling filters, purging of heating radiators and water tanks, defrosting a freezer, vacuuming refrigerator coils, refilling dry floor-drain traps with water, cleaning out gutters, downspouts and drains, touching up worn house paint and weather seals, and cleaning accumulated creosote out of chimney flues, which may be best left to a chimney sweep.

Examples of less frequent home maintenance that should be regularly forecast and budgeted include repainting or staining outdoor wood or metal, repointing masonry, waterproofing masonry, cleaning out septic systems, replacing sacrificial electrodes in water heaters, replacing old washing machine hoses (preferably with stainless steel hoses less likely to burst and cause a flood), and other home improvements such as replacement of obsolete or aging systems with limited useful lifetimes (water heaters, wood stoves, pumps, and asphaltic or wooden roof shingles and siding.

Often on the bottom of people's to-do list is home maintenance chores, such as landscaping, window and gutter cleaning, power washing the siding and hard-scape, etc. However, these maintenance chores should not be overlooked because they pay for themselves over time. Often, injury could occur when operating heavy machinery or when climbing on ladders or roofs around your home, so if an individual is not in the proper physical condition to accomplish these chores,then they should consult a professional. Lack maintenance will cost more due to higher costs associated with repairs or replacements to be made later. IT requires discipline and learning aptitude to repair and maintain the home in good condition, but it is a satisfying experience to perform even seemingly minor repairs.

 Good operations

Another related issue for avoiding costly repairs (or disasters) is the proper operation of a home, including systems and appliances, in a way that prevents damage or prolongs their usefulness. For example, at higher latitudes, even a clean rain gutter can suddenly build up an ice dam in winter, forcing melt water into unprotected roofing, resulting in leaks or even flooding inside walls or rooms. This can be prevented by installing moisture barrier beneath the roofing tiles. A wary homeowner should be alert to the conditions that can result in larger problems and take remedial action before damage or injury occurs. It may be easier to tack down a bit of worn carpet than repair a large patch damaged by prolonged misuse. Another example is to seek out the source of unusual noises or smells when mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems are operating -- sometimes they indicate incipient problems. One should avoid overloading or otherwise misusing systems, and a recurring overload may indicate time for an upgrade.

Water infiltration is one of the most insidious sources of home damage. Small leaks can lead to water stains, and rotting wood. Soft, rotten wood is an inviting target for termites and other wood-damaging insects. Left unattended, a small leak can lead to significant structural damage, necessitating the replacement of beams and framing.

With a useful selection of tools, typical materials and supplies on hand, and some home repair information or experience, a homeowner or handyman should be able to carry out a large number of DIY home repairs and identify those that will need the specialized attention of others.

 Remediation of environmental problems

When a home is sold, inspections are performed that may reveal environmental hazards such as radon gas in the basement or water supply or friable asbestos materials (both of which can cause lung cancer), peeling or disturbed lead paint (a risk to children and pregnant women), inground heating oil tanks that may contaminate ground water, or mold that can cause problems for those with asthma or allergies. Typically the buyer or mortgage lender will require these conditions to be repaired before allowing the purchase to close. An entire industry of environmental remediation contractors has developed to help home owners resolve these types of problems.

 See also

    * Home improvement
    * Repair and maintenance
    * Tools
    * Handyman
    * Winterizing a vacant home

 References
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_repair"
Categories: Home

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SOME GENERAL INFO ABOUT ome improvement
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Jump to: navigation, search
For other uses, see Home improvement (disambiguation).
 
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve the article or discuss these issues on the talk page.

    * It needs additional references or sources for verification. Tagged since June 2008.
    * It contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. Tagged since June 2008.
    * It may need reorganization to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Tagged since June 2008.

Home improvement or home renovation is the process of renovating or making additions to one's home.
Contents

    * 1 Types of home improvement
          o 1.1 Beautification and added features
          o 1.2 Comfort
          o 1.3 Maintenance and repair
          o 1.4 Additional space
          o 1.5 Saving energy
          o 1.6 Safety and preparedness
    * 2 Professional versus do-it-yourself
    * 3 Home improvement industry
          o 3.1 Associations
          o 3.2 Renovation Contractors
    * 4 Home improvement on television
    * 5 See also
          o 5.1 Specific technologies
    * 6 References
    * 7 Further reading

 Types of home improvement

While it most often refers to building projects that alter the structure of an existing home, home renovation can include improvements to lawns and gardens and outbuildings like gazebos and garages.

Home improvement projects generally have one or more of the following goals:

 Beautification and added features

    * Wallpapering and painting walls or installing wood panelling.
    * Adding new flooring such as carpets, tiling, linoleum, wood flooring, or solid hardwood flooring.
    * Upgrading cabinets, fixtures, and sinks in the kitchen and bathroom.
    * Replacing siding and windows
    * Improving the backyard with sliding doors, wooden patio decks, patio gardens, jacuzzis, swimming pools, and fencing.

 Comfort

    * Upgrading heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC)
    * Increasing the capacity of plumbing and electrical systems.
    * Waterproofing basements.
    * Soundproofing rooms, especially bedrooms and baths.

 Maintenance and repair

Maintenance projects can include:

    * Roof tear-off and replacement.
    * Concrete and masonry repairs to the foundation and chimney.
    * Repairing plumbing and electrical systems.

 Additional space

Additional living space may be added by:

    * Turning marginal areas into livable spaces such as turning basements into recrooms, home theaters, or home offices -- or attics into spare bedrooms.
    * Extending one's house with rooms added to the side of one's home or, sometimes, extra levels to the original roof.

 Saving energy

Homeowners may reduce utility costs with:

    * Energy-efficient insulation, windows, and lighting.
    * Renewable energy with biomass pellet stoves, wood-burning stoves, solar panels, wind turbines, Programmable thermostats,[1] and geothermal exchange heat pumps (see autonomous building)

 Safety and preparedness

Emergency preparedness safety measures such as:

    * Home fire and burglar alarm systems.
    * Fire sprinkler systems to protect homes from fires
    * Security doors, windows, and shutters.
    * Storm cellars as protection from tornadoes and hurricanes.
    * Bomb shelters especially during the 1950s as protection from nuclear war.
    * Backup generators for providing power during power outages

 Professional versus do-it-yourself

There are three main approaches to managing a home improvement project: hiring a general contractor, directly hiring specialized contractors, or doing the work oneself.

A general contractor oversees a home improvement project that involves multiple trades. A general contractor acts as project manager, providing access to the site, removing debris, coordinating work schedules, and performing some aspects of the work.

Sometimes homeowners bypass the general contractor, and hire tradesmen themselves, including plumbers, electricians and roofers.

Another strategy is to "do it yourself" (DIY). Several major American retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowes, specialize in selling materials and tools for DIY home improvement. These stores host classes and carry numerous books to teach customers how to do the work themselves. DIY websites also provide information.

 Home improvement industry

Home or residential renovation is a $300 billion industry in the United States,[2] and a $48 billion industry in Canada.[3] The average cost per project is $3,000 in the United States and $11,000-15,000 in Canada.[4]

There are several types of companies that contribute to the booming renovation industry. Supply businesses such as Home Depot, Lowes, Home Hardware and Rona Lansing provide all the materials and tools necessary to facilitate home renovations. Many online companies and home improvement websites offer tips, guidelines and trends to give homeowners ideas for design and décor.

 Associations

Playing a critical role are the professional associations created to represent the architects, architectural technologists, interior designers and skilled trades that provide specialized services to homeowners. These associations provide credibility, trade guidelines and useful information to help homeowners learn more about the trades they are about to hire.[citation needed]

Associations include:

    * Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
    * The American Institute of Architects

 Renovation Contractors

Perhaps the most important or visible professionals in the renovation industry are renovation contractors or skilled trades. These are the builders that have specialized credentials, licensing and experience to perform renovation services in specific municipalities. While there is a fairly large ‘grey market’ of unlicensed companies, there are those that have membership in a reputable association or are accredited by a professional organization.

 Home improvement on television

Home improvement was launched on television in 1979 with the premiere of This Old House starring Bob Vila on PBS.

The sitcom Home Improvement used the home improvement theme for comedic purposes.

American cable channel HGTV features many do-it-yourself shows, as does sister channel DIY Network and the competing Discovery Home.

 See also
 Home improvement portal

    * Home repair
    * Leroy Merlin
    * Refurbishment
    * Repair and maintenance

 Specific technologies

    * Replacement windows

 References

   1. ^ Use a Programmable Thermostat, Common Sense, to Reduce Energy Bills
   2. ^ National Association of Home Builders
   3. ^ Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
   4. ^ Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University

 Further reading

    * Litchfield, Michael (2005). Renovation 3rd Edition. Taunton Press. ISBN 1-56158-588-2.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_improvement"
Categories: Wikipedia articles needing reorganization | Home improvement | Building

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