This publication breaks new ground. It is the first document to provide extensive life-span assessments (for insurance purposes) for a wide range of building components which are classified within the concept of quality specifications. A further benefit is that it does not seek to be prescriptive. It indicative 'benchmarks' against which new or differing specifications can be assessed, in that sense it is both robust and flexible.

There's almost nothing in the modern home that can delight us more than an intelligently organized, nicely featured closet-a place where things are organized in pleasing geometry, here we can find and retrieve that perfect tie or that just-right sweater, instantly. And there's nothing more disheartening and irritating than that murky closet from the netherworld, where boxes tumble down on our heads whenever the door opens, where the sheer clutter makes it impossible to identify what's insi...

This guide to the basics of plumbing and central heating is designed for complete amateurs, and written by one of the most experienced plumbing tutors in the country.Whether you are attempting projects such as installing a new bathroom or plumbing in a new dishwasher, or just need to understand enough to do essential repairs and fixes, this is the book for you. It includes step-by-step guides to sorting out the most common plumbing problems, and comprehensive coverage of the key ta...

Metalworking is generally regarded as a skill that takes years of dedication, requires a large studio space, and costs a lot of money. Fortunately, Simple Soldering proves that does not need to be the case. This handy how-to guide is complete in its exploration of the craft of creating soldered metal jewelry, including tools, techniques, and 20 beautiful projects that beginners and enthusiasts can make at home.Author and teacher Kate Richbourg demystifies basic soldering f...

The 4th edition of Plumbing continues to provide the definitive single volume text on plumbing, heating and gas installation work, ideal for students working towards their Diploma in plumbing or NVQ/SVQ at levels 2 and 3. Highly illustrated and easy to read and understand, it tackles plumbing topic by topic, in double page spreads with text, full colour illustrations, and clear photographs, enabling the reader to grasp the essentials quickly and easily. This approach ensures it al...

An updated edition of the ultimate hardware shopping guide and reference book: "Organized, accessible and cheerfully reassuring." — Publishers WeeklyTired of making multiple trips to the hardware store because you purchased the wrong item? Or wandering the aisles feeling overwhelmed and bewildered? This is the illustrated reference that helps you learn the difference between drywall screws and deck screws; between faucet washers and neoprene O-rings; and be...

A reference you'll warm up toFrom the background and basics of heating systems to the newest chip-based technology, this first volume of Audel's HVAC Library gives you comprehensive information you need on the job. Whether you're installing, servicing, repairing, or troubleshooting an old or new heating system, you'll find what you're looking for, from wood and coal furnace maintenance to new calculations and the latest environmental technologies and regulations.* Review the...

A fact-filled, 240-page manual that covers every aspect of designing and planning a basement conversion/remodeling project. With more than 600 color photographs, this book goes into thorough detail on crucial subjects like moisture and climate control, egress, ventilation, lighting, and many other issues. It deals comprehensively with adapting home mechanical systems to basement conditions. The many featured projects include finishing a bathroom stub-out, installing an all-new basement bat...

Up-to-Date Details on Construction Materials and EquipmentA thoroughly revised, all-inclusive compendium, Construction Databook, Second Edition contains hundreds of tables, specifications, charts, and illustrations covering all of the materials and equipment most frequently used at a typical job site. You'll find easy-to-access, practical information on application, selection, dimensions, and installation of all construction components. New details on sustainable materia...

INSPECT ANY HOME INSIDE AND OUT--WITH HELP FROM AN EXPERT! Find out the real value of a house or condo using the tested techniques in this step-by-step guide. Written by a professional home inspector and fully updated throughout, The Complete Book of Home Inspection , Fourth Edition, shows you how to determine exactly what's behind, beneath, above, and around a house before you make an offer. If you're selling your home, you'll learn how to accurately evaluate its condition prior to setti...

The books in this bite-sized new series contain no complicated techniques or tricky materials, making them ideal for the busy, the time-pressured or the merely curious. Plumbing Made Easy is a short, simple and easy to follow guide to mastering some simple plumbing jobs that might occur on an everyday basis. By learning some basic skills and techniques you can learn how to carry out repairs and simple projects - in just 96 pages. Ideal for the busy or the thrifty, Plumbing Made Easy is a q...

Your passageway to efficiency and beautyBoth for practicality and curb appeal, windows and doors are the most crucial mechanical feature of any home, and this book helps homeowners preserve and improve these essential elements. A fabulous door can add thousands of dollars in "perceived value" to a plain house, just as a few new windows can shave off a decade or two in apparent age.Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Windows & Entryways is a fully-updated revision of Black & Decker The Com...