Collins Complete DIY Manual [antikvár]

HOW TO USE THIS BOOKToday's home improver enjoys the benefits of a highly sophisticated market that recognizes the way 'do it yourself has developed over the years. He or she has become used to a ready supply of well-designed products and materials that are easy to use and produce first-class results which many a professional would be proud of. Any work of reference for this generation of home improvers must reflect the same high standards in its presentation,depth of information and simplicity of use. No-one reads a book of this kind from start to finish like a novel in the hope of absorbing all the information in one go. Instead, every reader wants to refer to his or her particular interest or problem without having to extract it from page after page of continuous text. This book has been written and designed to make the location of specific information as easy as possible by dividing the subject matter intoclearly defined, colour-coded chapters for easy reference. Every chapter has its own contents list so that you can find the pages you are looking for, and every page is divided by specially designed features into digestible sections. The book has a detailed index, but to guide you quickly from chapter to chapter or from one section to another, each page contains a list of cross-references that refer you to other information related to the task in hand.Colour-codingColour-coded tabs designate the extent of each chapter for easyAs a guide to the number of pages devoted to a particular subject, a running head identifies the broad outline of subject matter to be found on each page.Numbers In textA bold number in the text draws your attention to a particular illustration which will help to clarify the instructions at that point.Tinted boxesTinted boxes are used to separate certain information from the main text. Your attention is drawn to special safety precautions by red-tinted boxes.Banded headingsThe main text is divided into sections by easily identifiable headings so that you can locate specific information or a single stage in the work. It is a useful feature when you want to refresh your memory without having to reread the whole page.Main headingsClearly defined headings introduce the main topic dealt with on a particular page. 'iiiiifiiilFORWARD PLANNINGWhat is involved?Before you buyBuying a home will probably be your largest-ever single investment, so don't be misled by first impressions. Check your list of essential points carefully so that you can consider the property fully before investing in professional surveys.Carrying out a substantial scheme of home jmpfovement can be either an enjoyable and stimulating experience or a nightmare. If you plan each step carefully before you begin work you are more likely to make real improvements that will benefit your family while adding to the value of your property. On the other hand, if you buy a property that is unsuitable for your needs, or launch into an ambitious project without thinking through the consequences, you could waste time and money.12Before you make up your mind to buy a house or flat the building should be inspected by a professional surveyor to make sure it is structurally sound, but make some spot checks yourself before spending money on a survey. A pair of binoculars will help you inspect the building from ground level.Look out for cracks in the walls, both inside and out. Cracked plaster may simply be the result of shrinkage, but if the fault is visible on the outside it may indicate deformation of the foundations.Inspect chimney stacks for faults. A loose stack could cause considerable damage if it were to collapse.Check the condition of the roof. A few loose slates can be repaired easily, but if a whole section appears to be misplaced it could mean a new roof.Ask if the house has been inspected or treated for rot or insect infestation. If so. is there a guarantee? Don't rely upon your own inspection, but if the skirting boards look distorted or a floor feels unduly springy expect trouble.Look for signs of damp. In hot weather the worst effects may have disappeared, but stained wallpapers or even poor pointing of the brickwork should make you suspicious.Check listsBuying a house or flat is an exciting event-and when you find one that seems to ba just what you have been searching for it can be such a heady moment that it is all too easy to get carried away and forget to check the essentials. Your first impressions can be so misleading that the shortcomings of what seemed to be your dream home may begin to emerge only after you have moved in. Consequently, it is a good idea to arm yourself with a checklist of salient points when you visit a prospective house so that you are less likely to discover later that it isAsk what form of insulation, if any, has been installed. Extensive cavity-wall or external-wall insulation should carry a guarantee. You may not want to inspect loft insulation yourself, but study any surveyor's report to be certain that it is adequate by current standards.HOME SECURITYCheck whether all doors and windows are secured with good-quality locks and catches. You will probably want to change the front-door lock anyway. A burglar alarm is an advantage only if it is reliable and intelligently installed, Make sure that there is adequate provision for escape in the event of fire, especially in a block of flats where access routes are shared,going to cost a great deal to bring the building up to the required standard.In some ways, assessing the potential of your present home can be even more difficult. Everything fits like an old glove and it is hard to be obiective about possible improvements. Try to step back and take a fresh look at it by using the same sort of checklist as you would if you were considering the purchase of a new house.No single property is ever absolutely ideal, but forward planning will provide you with the means to make the best of what any house has to offer.An estate agent's written details of the property will describe recent rewiring, but in the absence of such assurance try to determine the likely condition of the installation, The presence of old-fashioned switches and sockets may indicate out-of-date wiring, but new equipment is no guarantee at all that the cables themselves have been replaced. The age of the wiring around the consumer unit will be your best indication. Checkthatthere are enough sockets in every room for your needs. Is the lighting well planned? Pay particular attention to safe lighting over stairs.Is the plumbing of an age and type that can be extended easily to take new fittings? Extensive lead pipework will need to be replaced. Take note of the size of the hot-water cylinder to make sure it can supply enough hot water, and check that it is insulated.If the house is only partially centrally heated, check that the boiler is large enough to cope with additional radiators or you may later find yourself faced with the unexpected expense of buying a new one. Is the heating system fitted with proper thermostatic controls to keep costs down? Ask whether flues and fireplaces are in working order