Safe and sound A renter-friendly guide to home repair
Book - 2023
"Don't panic -- I'm here to help! For too many people, the simple act of contacting a plumber or repair person can feel like a game of chance. As a transwoman, I've discovered (the hard way) that we live in a world with much to fear. If you've ever felt panicked about opening your home to strangers in order to fix a maintenance issue, this book is for you. You deserve to fell empowered to take matters into your own hands -- and it's not as hard as you might think. I'll show you how to tackle the projects that need improvement in your home -- from how to properly fix a clog in your bathroom sink and safely hang things on your walls to patching small and medium drywall holes. Safe and Sound includes: Guidanc...e for over 50 simple home maintenance projects, such as replacing your showerhead and troubleshooting a faulty garbage disposal. Advice tailored to renters to minimize permanent changes. Helpful illustrations and QR code links to videos to help you on your journey. Remember -- a little bit of knowledge can go a long way toward making you feel more safe and in control of your own life." --
- Subjects
- Genres
- handbooks
Handbooks and manuals - Published
-
Indianapolis, IN :
DK Publishing
2023.
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Edition
- First American edition
- Item Description
- Includes index.
- Physical Description
- 222 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
- ISBN
- 9780744079074
- Hey There, Hi!
- Part 1. The Basics
- 1. Apartment Hunting
- Home Sweet Home
- Big Feelings, Little Feelings
- Figuring Out Financing
- Safe as a Bug in a Rug
- Viewing Your Hopeful Home
- Reading the Lease
- 2. Moving in and Creating a Home
- The Checkity Checklist
- Construction-Grade Materials
- Creating a Home
- Setting Yourself Up for Success
- 3. Requesting a Repair
- What's a Work Order?
- How To Submit a Work Order
- Emergency Requests
- 4. Troubleshooting
- Being a Detective
- The Mercury Method
- 5. Building a Toolkit
- Not Too Many Tools
- Multi-Bit Screwdriver (11-in-1)
- Utility Knife
- Adjustable Pliers (12-Inch [30.5cm])
- Allen Keys (Metric and Standard)
- Where Are the Hammer and Tape Measure?!?
- Other Tools and Materials
- Part 2. Making Repairs
- 6. Bathroom Faucets and Drains
- The Dreaded, No Good, Stinky Clog
- Unclogging a Drain Clog in a Bathroom Sink
- The Plunger Method
- The P-Trap Method
- The Drain Snake Method
- The Never-Ending Faucet Repairs
- Tightening a Faucet Base
- Repairing Low Water Pressure in a Sink
- The Faucet Aerator
- Cleaning the Aerator
- Replacing the Aerator
- Replacing the Supply Lines
- Replacing a Faucet Cartridge or a Stem
- Cleaning Faucets and Drains
- Tackling a Smelly Drain
- Replacing or Repairing a Sink Stopper
- Removing and Repairing Tub Plugs
- Caulking
- Removing Caulk
- How to Apply Caulk
- 7. Toilets
- The Bubbling Gurgling Toilet Clog
- Plunger-Free Fixes
- The Plunger Method
- The Auger Method
- Mysterious, Miscellaneous Toilet Problems
- Repairing a Loose Toilet Seat
- Replacing/Tightening a Toilet Handle
- Fixing a Constantly Running Toilet
- Installing a Bidet
- Fixing a Whistling or Overflowing Tank
- 8. Showers
- So Fresh and So Clean
- Replacing a Showerhead
- Fixing a Whistling Showerhead
- Fixing a Loose Shower Handle
- Fixing a Whistling Shower Faucet (Spout) or Tub Diverter
- 9. Wall Repair, Painting, and Mounting
- Finding the Mythical Wall Stud
- The Magnet Method Process
- Mercury and the Many Patches
- Patching Small Holes
- Patching Medium Holes
- Making a California Patch
- Patching Large Holes
- The Fun-damentals of Painting
- Painting a Small Patch
- Painting a Whole Wall
- Cutting In
- Painting With a Roller
- Shelf Improvement (Mounting, Hanging, and Anchoring)
- Hanging Frames Safely
- Using Mounting Tape
- Removing a Nail
- Using Drywall Anchors
- Fixing a Towel Rack
- Peek-A-Boo Blinds
- Replacing Slats
- Replacing Mini Blinds
- 10. Doors, Floors, and Cabinets
- The Loosey Goosey & Not So Screwy Screw Holes
- Loose Screw Holes
- Replacing a Broken Latch or Doorknob
- Fixing a Loose Doorknob
- Fixing a Strike Plate
- Moving the Strike Plate
- Reparing a Lock
- Cleaning or Replacing a Peephole
- Repairing a Sliding Closet Door
- Fixing Bifold Closet Doors
- Fixing An Improperly Hung Cabinet Door
- Repairing and Patching a Hole in a Door
- Repairing Corrugated Carpet
- Repairing and Replacing Baseboards
- Vinyl Baseboards
- Wood Baseboards
- Repairing Hardwood Flooring
- Repairing a Chip in Laminate Flooring
- 11. Electrical Repairs
- Before You Begin: a Safety Disclaimer
- Labeling Breaker Boxes
- Electrical Outlet Repairs
- Installing Outlet Spacers
- Outlet Replacement
- Little Light Fixes
- Removing a Broken Bulb
- Removing a Broken Mounted Light
- Removing a Recessed Fixture
- Repairing Flickering Light Bulbs
- All Around the Ceiling Fan
- Fixing an Unbalanced Fan
- Replacing a Ceiling Fan Pull Switch
- 12. Mold, Pests, and Weather Prepping
- The Awful Adventures of Mold and Mildew
- The Never-Just-Right Forecast (Weather-Protecting Your Home)
- Stop Bugging Me!
- 13. Appliance Repairs and Upkeep
- The Icebox Investigation; Common Fridge and Freezer Troubleshooting
- Reversing the Fridge Door and Handle
- The Little Oven That Couldn't
- The Very Hungry Garbage Disposal
- Repairing a Garbage Disposal
- The Wonderful Washer of Dishes
- The Giving Unit: Air Conditioner Repairs
- The Whirly Twirly Washer and Dryer
- 14. Security and Safety
- Go Bags for Emergencies
- Smoke Detectors
- Entrances and Exits
- Pets and Children
- Technicians in Your Home
- 15. Moving Out of Your Apartment
- Planning Your Move
- Getting Your Deposit Back
- Protecting Your Valuables and Home When Moving
- A Brief Checklist
- Cleaning
- Part 3. Resources
- Tenant Laws and Resources for Every State
- Knowledge is Power
- Federal Laws
- Legal Resources
- Index
- Acknowledgments
- Author Bio