The Home Owner's Manual Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on System Maintenance

269 Pages·2006·25.93 MB·English

by  Dan Ramsey

Text copyright © 2006 by Dan Ramsey
Illustrations copyright © 2006 by Headcase Design
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the
publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Number: Requested
eBook ISBN: 978-1-59474-773-1
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-59474-103-6
Designed by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum @ Headcase Design
www.headcasedesign.com
Quirk Books
215 Church Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
quirkbooks.com
v3.1
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME!
The Home: Diagram and Parts List
Product Life Span
CHAPTER 1: DESCRIPTION
Product History
Major Components
▪ Functional Spaces
▪ Interconnections
▪ Dimensions
▪ Design Philosophy
Ownership Advantages
▪ Easier Living
▪ Investment Opportunities
▪ Tax Advantages
Ownership Disadvantages
Ownership Options
▪ Single-Family Residence
▪ Planned-Unit Development
▪ Condominium Apartment
▪ Cooperative Apartment
Top-Selling Models
Home Design Trends
▪ Environmentally Friendly Design
▪ Off-Site Construction
▪ Adaptive Reuse
▪ Health-Conscious Designs
▪ Weather Resistance
▪ Flexible Floor Plans
▪ Accessibility
▪ Outdoor Living
▪ Abundant Storage
▪ Cultural Upgrades
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION
Installing Occupants
Determining Occupant Requirements
▪ Selecting by Type
▪ Determining Usage
▪ Choosing a Location
▪ Analyzing Condition
Home Pre-Acquisition Inspection Checklist
Shopping for a Home
▪ Using Agents
▪ Buying FSBOs
▪ Closing on a Home
Paying for a Home
▪ Cash Talks
▪ Conventional Financing
▪ Unconventional Financing
Moving In
▪ Moving Companies
▪ Self Moves
▪ Component Services
▪ Moving On
CHAPTER 3: PARTS AND SERVICE
Shelter Requirements
▪ Structural
▪ Electrical
▪ Plumbing
▪ Heating
▪ Cooling
▪ Security
Benefits of Maintenance
Maintenance Materials
▪ Structural
▪ Electrical
▪ Plumbing
▪ Heating and Cooling
Selecting and Using Tools and Fasteners
Shopping in a Hardware Store
CHAPTER 4: INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Maintaining Home Interiors
Structural Maintenance
▪ Cleaning
▪ Maintaining Carpets
▪ Maintaining Door Locks
▪ Painting the Interior
▪ Filling Surface Holes
Electrical Maintenance
▪ Inspecting Receptacles and Switches
▪ Inspecting Cords for Damage
▪ Checking All Circuit Breakers or Fuses
▪ Testing GFCI outlets
Plumbing Maintenance
▪ Treating Slow Drains
▪ Checking Pipes and Fixtures for Leaks
▪ Draining Sludge from Water Heater
▪ Testing Water Heater Relief Valve
Heating and Cooling Maintenance
▪ Inspecting Systems
▪ Cleaning Ductwork
▪ Cleaning or Replacing Filters
▪ Checking Fans, Belts, and Motors
▪ Cleaning a Chimney
▪ Cleaning Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers
▪ Cleaning Radiators
▪ Bleeding Air from Hot Water Heating Systems
Safety Maintenance
▪ Checking Fire Extinguishers
▪ Testing Smoke Detectors
▪ Practicing Emergency Drills
▪ Replenishing the Survival Pantry
CHAPTER 5: EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE
Maintaining Home Exteriors
Roofing
▪ Checking the Roof for Damage
▪ Checking the Attic for Water Stains
▪ Cleaning Gutters
Siding
▪ Cleaning Siding
▪ Inspecting for Pests and Damage
▪ Painting Siding
Doors and Windows
▪ Replacing Damaged or Worn Weather Stripping
▪ Recaulking Windows, Doors, and Siding
▪ Checking Window Seals
Decks
▪ Pressure Washing Decks
▪ Recoating Decks
Patios, Walks, and Drives
▪ Pressure Washing Patios, Walks, and Drives
▪ Patching Surfaces
Yard Maintenance
Outdoor Storage Structures
▪ Maintaining Siding
▪ Maintaining Doors and Hinges
Garages
▪ Cleaning Garage Floors
▪ Patching Concrete
▪ Maintaining Garage Doors
CHAPTER 6: EMERGENCY REPAIRS
Avoiding Emergencies
Structural Emergencies
▪ Damaged Siding
▪ Rotten or Eaten Wood
▪ Leaky Roof
Electrical Emergencies
▪ Fixing Appliances
▪ Restoring Electrical Power
Plumbing Emergencies
▪ Leaky Faucet
▪ Clogged Kitchen Drain
▪ Clogged Bathroom Drain
▪ Clogged Toilet
▪ Broken Pipes
▪ Leaky Basement
▪ No Hot Water
▪ Leaky Water Heater
Heating and Cooling Emergencies
▪ Fuel Leak
▪ No Heat
▪ No Cooling
CHAPTER 7: OPTIONS
Decorating Basics
Interior Painting
▪ Preparing Surfaces
▪ Choosing Paints
▪ Selecting and Using Painting Tools
▪ Selecting Other Painting Materials
▪ The Painting Process
▪ Cleaning Up
Wall Coverings
▪ Preparing Surfaces
▪ Installing Wallpaper
Flooring
▪ Installing Carpeting
▪ Installing Hardwood Flooring
▪ Installing Hard Tile
▪ Installing VCT
Getting Professional Help
CHAPTER 8: UPGRADES
Remodeling Benefits
Remodeling Basics
Remodeling a Kitchen
Remodeling a Bathroom
Remodeling an Extra Room
APPENDIX
Technical Support
Glossary of Terms
INDEX
OWNER’S CERTIFICATE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS
Welcome
to Your New Home!
ATTENTION!
Before beginning this manual, please inspect your model carefully and check
for all of the standard parts described here. If any of these parts appear to be
missing or inoperative, it is recommended that you consult the home’s
builder or appropriate service providers immediately.
Whether you have just acquired a new home or are planning to do so soon,
congratulations! A home is a wonderful thing to inhabit, particularly when it is owned
—and it is in good working order.
Unfortunately, components break, wear out, and mysteriously go awry, especially
when homeowners share their residence with occupants who don’t pay the repair
bills. And if homeowners spend most of their time in the world of high technology,
the processes and problems of low-tech homes may elude them. Regrettably, homes
don’t come with instruction manuals, so homeowners are left on their own to unclog
a sink, maintain cozy heat, or make the lights come back on. To make matters
worse, many first-time buyers don’t know what to look for in a home before
purchasing one. Nor are there instructions for upgrading to Home 2.0.