How Your House Works

"Crystal-clear illustrations and explanations... It will quickly become the operator's manual for your house." -- SmartHomeowner magazine, 2007

"From toilet tanks to table lamps, this text tells you how it all works." -- This Old House magazine, December 2007, "Gifts for the New Homeowner"

A must-have reference for every homeowner, handyman and contractor for repair, remodeling and new construction.

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 homes 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.