Renovation 4th Edition Read online

  Tools and Materials

  275

  Countertops for Kitchens and Baths 371

  Rough-in Wiring

  285

  Kitchen Sinks

  376

  Wiring Receptacles

  299

  Bathroom Planning

  380

  Wiring Switches

  304

  Fixture Wiring

  309

  chapter 14:

  Portfolio of Wiring Schematics

  313

  EnergyConservation

  andAirQuality

  384

  chapter 12:

  A Nine-Step Energy Retrofit

  385

  Plumbing

  316

  Getting an Energy Audit

  387

  An Overview of Plumbing Systems 316

  Air-Sealing

  391

  Planning

  319

  Increasing Controlled Ventilation

  400

  Tools

  322

  Controlling Moisture and Mold

  403

  Copper Water-Supply Pipe

  324

  Choosing Insulation Wisely

  405

  PEX Supply Pipes

  328

  Installing Insulation

  411

  Galvanized Steel Pipe

  330

  CPVC Supply

  330

  chapter 15:

  DWV Materials

  330

  FinishSurfaces

  420

  Venting Options

  334

  Drywall

  420

  Roughing-in DWV Pipes

  338

  Plastering

  441

  Roughing-in Supply Pipes

  344

  Soundproofing

  445

  Installing Fixtures

  345

  Replacing a Water Heater

  351

  Installing a Tankless Water Heater

  353

  chapter 16:

  chapter 18:

  Tiling

  450

  Painting

  504

  Choosing Tile

  450

  Essential Prep Work

  504

  Tools

  452

  Choosing Paint

  504

  Materials

  455

  Tools and Equipment

  506

  Getting Ready to Tile

  459

  Painting Basics

  510

  Installing Setting Beds

  462

  Spray Painting

  512

  Tile Estimation and Layout

  466

  Lead-Paint Safety

  514

  Tiling a Floor

  468

  Painting the Interior

  517

  Countertops

  471

  Stripping and Refinishing

  Tub Surround

  474

  Interior Trim and Wood Paneling

  524

  Painting the Exterior

  529

  chapter 17:

  FinishCarpentry

  478

  chapter 19:

  Wallpapering

  536

  Tools

  478

  Materials

  482

  Selecting Materials

  536

  Basic Skills

  485

  Ordering Wallcovering

  539

  Casing a Door

  489

  Equipment

  541

  Casing a Window

  494

  Preparing Surfaces

  542

  Baseboard and Crown Molding

  496

  Laying Out the Work

  547

  Basic Papering Techniques

  547

  Complex and Special-Care Areas

  552

  chapter 20:

  Flooring

  556

  Flooring Choices

  557

  Refinishing Wood Floors

  561

  Installing Strip Flooring

  571

  “Floating” an Engineered

  Wood Floor

  576

  Resilient Flooring

  580

  Wall-to-Wall Carpeting

  584

  glossary of building terms

  593

  index

  601

  credits

  614

  Introduction

  I have been wrItIng Or revIsIng this book through tionality, conserve resources, and create comfortable homes that

  four decades. I started the first edition in 1978, when

  can accommodate the inevitable changes that life brings.

  Jimmy Carter was president and most computers were the

  As in earlier editions, Renovation draws on innumerable con-

  size of closets. After gutting and rebuilding Renovation in

  versations with carpenters, electricians, engineers, plumbers,

  2005, I was sure the third edition would stand forever, but the

  painters, masons, architects, and other building professionals. All

  upheaval in housing in the last decade convinced me otherwise.

  told, the photos in this book were drawn from roughly 30,000

  More than ever, we need to plan carefully, spend wisely, and

  taken over the years, mostly on job sites across North America.

  build durably. So this fourth edition has been revised to help

  That last point—“on job sites”—is what distinguishes this book

  builders and homeowners add value, maximize space and func-

  from others in the field, and it’s what should prove most useful to

  you when you’re in the thick of a renovation. Renovation tells you

  which sawblade to use, the size and spacing of nails, when to tear

  out and when to make do, and how to lay out and prep a job so it

  goes smoothly. Because this book contains thousands of tips and

  techniques from contractors who had schedules and budgets to

  meet, it also will save you time and money. In other words, the

  methods in this book are field-tested. Supported by lifetimes of

  practical experience, you can proceed confidently.

  This book is as much concerned with what and why as it is with

  how. Thus, for every topic—from foundations to finish flooring—

  you’ll find the tools and materials you’ll need, the problems you

  may encounter, and workable solutions to see you through.

  Because the information in each chapter follows the sequence of

  an actual renovation, you’ll know what to anticipate at every stage.

  Equally important, Renovation’s often-ingenious solutions will

  help you deal with the unexpected situations that are a part of

  every renovation.

  PLAYITsafe

  Please heed all safety warnings: They are there for your protection. The publisher and I have made every effort to describe safe construction procedures in a clear and straightforward

  manner. But because of the differences in skill and experience

  of each reader and because of variations in materials, site

  con ditions, and the like, neither I nor the publisher can assume

  respon sibility for results with particular projects.

  4

  HowtoUseThisBook

  Read the opening remarks in a chapter before reading up on spe-

  cific tasks. That is, the information in each chapter tends to be

  cumulative. The first few paragraphs often introduce important

  terms and concepts. Thereafter, you’ll fin
d tools and techniques

  presented more or less chronologically, in the order you’d need

  them in a renovation.

  Although new terms are defined early in each chapter and later

  in context, you may come across terms whose definitions you

  skipped earlier. If you need a definition, consult the glossary or

  the index.

  An in-depth review of tools and materials is beyond the scope

  of this book. If you want more information on either, consider

  browsing the Internet. Although I do mention specific brand

  names and occasional Internet addresses, consider them reference

  points for research and not product endorsements. Most of the

  brand names are those I encountered on job sites or were praised

  by a builder whose opinions I value.

  Maybe it’s always been so, but research has become a big part

  of renovation. So supplement your reading and Internet searches

  by talking to neighbors, local contractors, and building-material

  suppliers. Experience is always the best teacher—even if it’s some-

  one else’s experience. A friend or neighbor who’s been through a

  renovation may be able to recommend reliable builders and sup-

  pliers and may also be a calm voice when you need one most. So

  go to it. As Aristotle once said (though not to me directly),

  “Courage is first among human virtues, for without it, we’re

  unlikely to practice many of the others.”

  introduction

  5

  1 Reading a House

  With a little practice, you can train

  your eye to see both a house’s

  potential and its pitfalls.

  6

  Finding a Home with

  a Future

  None of us has a crystal bal . But we can anticipate and, to some

  When evaluating a house’s potential, consider all of its

  degree, plan for a number of life changes. Your home should be flexi-

  assets, even those that need a lot of work because they

  ble enough to accommodate them. If, for example, you’re in your 30s

  may be diamonds in the rough. Here, a dilapidated garage

  became an elegant guest bedroom suite.

  and plan to have kids, the house should have enough rooms—or a

  large enough lot for an addition. If you long to work at home, is there

  a garage you can convert into an office? For folks in their 50s, the

  future may entail kids leaving home soon, caring for an elderly parent,

  or planning for a more secure retirement.

  Scenarios can get quite specific: If an adult child returns home,

  will you need to add soundproofing and a separate entrance? Would

  a flight of stairs be problematic for an elderly parent? Is there

  enough room to create an in-law unit to rent out—or for you to

  move into? Choose a home carefully because you may live in it a

  long time.

  Staying put and planning for the future is a big departure from the

  frothy years of the housing bubble. But living within your means, con-

  serving resources, and valuing family, friends, and neighbors can also

  be part of a rich life.

  Every house has stories to tell. If you know from buying. Or, if you decide to buy, those prob-

  where to look, you can see how skillfully the

  lems may give you leverage in negotiating a lower

  house was built or remodeled, how well it has

  price. Remember, most aspects of purchase

  weathered the elements, and how carefully its

  agreements are negotiable. If you’re a remodeling

  owners have taken care of it.

  contractor, this chapter may be helpful in assess-

  This chapter explains how to read a house’s

  ing systems you are less familiar with, and subse-

  sometimes subtle history, how to spot problems,

  quent chapters will specify techniques and mate-

  and how to determine what caused them.

  rials that can make your renovation projects

  Whether you’re a homeowner, a house shopper,

  more time- and cost-effective.

  or a renovation contractor, look closely and

  Finally, think of this chapter as a gateway to

  search for patterns. You may be surprised to dis-

  solutions throughout the book. Many of the

  cover how many areas need attention, whether

  problems described in this chapter are followed

  for safety, updating, appearance, or preventive

  by page numbers or chapter numbers directing

  maintenance. A careful inspection can be your

  you to further explanations or possible solutions.

  guide to future renovations.

  If you don’t find specific cross-references to top-

  If you’re house shopping, your inspection may ics you’d like to learn more about, consult the

  reveal conditions serious enough to dissuade you book’s index.

  Reading a House

  7

  zzzzzz Building Terms

  STRUCTURAL

  EXTERIOR

  Mortar

  Ridgeboard

  chimney cap

  Mortar chimney cap

  Rafter

  Ridge

  Flashing

  Valley flashing

  Dormer

  Plumbing vent

  Gable end

  Louver

  Gable

  stud

  Rake

  Metal ice

  border

  Top

  plates

  Eaves

  Stud

  Building paper

  Header

  Clapboards

  Fire-stop

  Subflooring

  Sheathing

  Girder

  Sole plate

  Bracing

  Corner board

  Window

  Mudsill

  Joist

  casing

  Splashboard

  Foundation

  Gutter

  Downspout

  These drawings contain most

  Splash block

  of the building terms used in this chapter.

  For additional terms, consult the index, the glossary,

  and pertinent chapters.

  TRaININg YouR eYe

  However, if you’re house shopping, you’d want

  to get a bid for replacing the roof. Because the

  The house shown on p. 6 says much to a trained

  old shingles are tired, reroofing would likely be

  eye. Though nicely crafted, it’s showing its age.

  expensive, given the complexity of the roof struc-

  Despite the gleaming paint on the parts that can

  ture and the likelihood of rot. Also, from the

  be easily reached, the upper floors haven’t been

  street, there’s no sign of gutters, so it would be

  painted in 20 years or more, suggesting that

  crucial to inspect the joists, the mudsills, and the

  places you can’t see probably weren’t maintained

  foundation itself for signs of water damage.

  either. The fretwork above the porch is splinter-

  Given the age of this house, the foundation

  ing, and the green shingle demi-roof over the

  probably isn’t reinforced with steel, and that,

  living room window has worn through to the

  coupled with poor drainage, could mean big-

  wood shingles underneath. Chances are this

  ticket repairs—possibly a new foundation. All i
n

  small roof isn’t flashed where it abuts the siding,

  all, though, this old house would be an exciting

  so water may have gotten behind and soaked

  prospect and is certainly worth a closer look.

  the framing.

  Still, it’s a charmer, and it’s got great bones.

  gaTHeRINg INFoRmaTIoN

  Skilled carpenters were needed to frame such a

  complex roof, so there’s probably good work-

  If you feel strongly about a house, start by asking

  manship throughout the house, which is old

  the real estate agent or owner for a recent termite

  enough that its 2x4s are probably full-size 2x4s.

  report and a disclosure statement, and read them

  The walls are plumb; the roof ridge doesn’t sag;

  closely. Most states require such disclosures from

  and despite its weathered appearance, the siding owners; if you are working with an agent, such

  is largely intact.

  statements are probably mandatory. Disclosure

  8

  Chapter 1

  statements describe (1) things not originally

  built with a permit or not built according to

  For Nesters:

  code, (2) code violations recently observed by

  an inspector, and (3) other conditions the home-

  Keeping emotions in Check

  owner knows need fixing. Armed with this infor-

  mation, you can begin looking for unreported

  When shopping for a house, it’s hard to keep emotions in check. unless you’re

  problems, which always exist.

  buying a property solely as an investment, you’re probably looking for a nest. If

  Because of competitive bidding, buying a

  you’re like most of us, you’ll imagine yourself living there, surrounded by friends and

  house can be nerve-wracking. But you can reduce

  family. Those warm feelings are all understandably human but probably not the best

  some of the pressure by making your own pre-

  frame of mind for making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. By all

  liminary inspection. This will enable you to delay

  means, listen to your feelings; just don’t lead with them.

  paying for a professional inspector until you’re

  Look at a lot of houses. Read this chapter to get an overview of house systems

  sure it’s a house you should seriously consider.

  and learn building lingo. Then scrutinize every house you enter—whether it’s for sale

  You’ll be able to red-flag special concerns for the

  or not. Be cold-eyed: Look beyond the lace curtains and the fresh paint. Look for

  inspector. And, as a bonus, after conducting your

  problems and try to figure out what’s causing them. Then, when you begin shopping

  own inspection, you’ll better understand the

  for real and find that certain place that wins your heart, you won’t lose your head.