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| Preface | |
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| Acknowledgments | |
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| Questions and Answers | |
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| Attics and Roofs | |
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| Converting an attic into living space | |
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| The importance of attic ventilation | |
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| Removing stains from white asphalt shingle roofs | |
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| Central Air Conditioning | |
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| Water dripping from unit | |
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| House doesn't get cold enough | |
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| Cooling a room addition | |
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| Buying the right size unit | |
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| Converting from room air conditioners to central air conditioning | |
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| System continually runs | |
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| Condensation dripping from air ducts | |
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| Loud sounds when turned on | |
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| Blowing hot air | |
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| What is SEER | |
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| Poorly performing | |
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| Routine maintenance | |
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| Dust and dirt entering through vents | |
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| Draining a dehumidifier | |
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| Contractors | |
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| Finding a professional | |
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| Is my contractor legitimate? | |
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| Finding a plumbing-heating-cooling contractor | |
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| Down payments | |
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| The importance of service contracts | |
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| Defining licensed, bonded, insured and union | |
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| Drains | |
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| Unblocking clogs | |
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| When to call a plumber for a clog | |
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| Preventing clogs | |
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| Driveways | |
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| Adding a permanent patch | |
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| Tar and chip driveways | |
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| Faucets | |
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| Drips and washerless faucets | |
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| Poor water pressure | |
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| Hot water drips | |
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| Shower diverter problems | |
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| Cleaning aerators | |
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| Tips for buying new faucets | |
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| Selecting a kitchen faucet | |
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| Outdoor faucet maintenance | |
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| Faucet knob performance | |
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| All about chillers | |
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| Installing a hot water dispenser | |
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| Buying a water filter system | |
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| Filter systems for water softeners | |
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| Benefits of a water softener | |
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| Fireplaces and Chimneys | |
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| Installing multiple fireplaces | |
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| Repairing chimney cracks | |
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| Flooring | |
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| Selecting new carpet | |
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| Restoring and refinishing hardwood floors | |
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| All about laminate floors | |
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| Cork flooring in residential homes | |
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| Foundations/Basements/Crawl Spaces | |
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| Waterproofing foundation | |
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| Linear French Drains | |
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| Concrete foundation walls | |
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| All about vapor barriers | |
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| Furnaces | |
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| Choosing filters | |
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| Changing filters | |
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| Noisy ducts | |
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| Noisy furnaces | |
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| Water running down unit | |
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| Poorly performing | |
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| Prolonging the life of | |
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| Running the furnace fan | |
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| New furnace performance | |
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| Cleaning air ducts | |
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| Humidifiers and foggy windows | |
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| Static electricity and dry air | |
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| Benefits of an electronic air cleaner | |
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| Garages | |
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| Installing a drain pipe in the garage | |
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| Heating a garage | |
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| Garage door performance | |
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| Garbage Disposers | |
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| Malfunctioning unit | |
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| Preventative maintenance | |
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| Dull unit | |
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| Odor problems | |
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| Septic systems and garbage disposers | |
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| What can and can't go in the unit | |
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| Heating Systems | |
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| Adjusting airflow in individual rooms | |
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| All about heat pumps | |
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| Painting radiators | |
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| Leaking radiators | |
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| All about radiant floor heat | |
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| Installing radiant floor heat | |
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| Preparing system for winter | |
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| Ceiling fans and efficiency | |
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| House and Home | |
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| What to look for during an inspection | |
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| Self-inspecting plumbing in a new home | |
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| Plumbing inspections in an older home | |
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| Benefits of a home inspection | |
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| What to do to a house before vacation | |
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| Winterizing a cottage | |
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| Selecting land for a house | |
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| House Exteriors | |
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| Installing vinyl siding | |
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| Painting aluminum siding | |
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| All about fiber cement siding | |
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| Brick veneer and water leaks | |
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| Artificial stone products | |
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| Outdoors and Landscaping | |
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| Mixing concrete | |
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| Landscaping property | |
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| Selecting lumber for a redwood deck | |
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| Sealing and cleaning a deck | |
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| Planning a patio and deck | |
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| All about retaining walls | |
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| Painting | |
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| Stripping old paint | |
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| Repainting a house | |
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| Painting drywall | |
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| Painting kitchen cabinets | |
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| Pipes | |
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| Eliminating noisy pipes | |
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| Pipe materials and noise levels | |
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| Laundry detergent usage | |
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| Pros and cons of plastic pipes | |
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| Preventing frozen pipes | |
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| Drain cleaners | |
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| All about hot water mixing valves | |
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| All about pressure balancing valves | |
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| Cleaning out a sewer line | |
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| Remodeling and Additions | |
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| Making the best use of space | |
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| Doing it on your own | |
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| Remodeling a bathroom | |
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| Selecting new fixtures | |
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| Adding a new bath to an existing basement | |
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| Making bathrooms handicap-accessible | |
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| Septic Systems | |
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| General maintenance | |
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| Showers and Tubs | |
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| Caring for fiberglass tubs | |
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| Adding a hand-held shower | |
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| Troubleshooting water spots on ceilings | |
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| Regrouting a tub | |
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| Converting to a whirlpool tub | |
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| Refinishing fixtures | |
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| Cold-water rush in shower | |
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| Vibrating showerheads | |
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| Drops in water pressure while showering | |
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| Replacing a bathtub | |
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| Installing a ceramic tile shower | |
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| Sinks | |
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| Garbage disposer backups | |
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| Caring for stainless steel sinks | |
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| Selecting a stainless steel sink | |
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| Stainless steel vs. cast iron sinks | |
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| Removing stains form enamel sinks | |
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| Difference between cast iron and vitreous china | |
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| Installing a second sink | |
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| Sump Pumps and Well Pumps | |
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| Sump pump maintenance | |
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| Life span of a sump pump | |
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| Preventing water in basements | |
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| Sump pump back-ups | |
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| Life span of well pumps | |
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| Toilets | |
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| Stuck toilet handle | |
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| Preventing multiple flushes | |
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| Eliminating partial flushes | |
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| Selecting a toilet seat | |
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| Preventing an overflow | |
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| Benefits of water shut-off valves | |
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| Buzzing sounds | |
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| Moaning toilets | |
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| Best products for cleaning a toilet | |
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| Replacing older toilets | |
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| Stabilizing a rocking toilet | |
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| Colored toilet paper and clogs | |
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| How to use a bidet | |
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| Installing a bidet | |
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| Musty odors | |
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| Water | |
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| Funny tasting ice | |
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| Removing hard water buildup | |
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| Lawn chemicals and water supply | |
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| How to save water | |
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| Water Heaters | |
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| Sizing issues | |
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| Relighting the pilot light | |
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| Black soot on the unit | |
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| Carbon monoxide leaks | |
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| When to replace | |
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| Gurgling and clunking sounds | |
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| Insulating | |
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| Leaks | |
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| Windows | |
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| Installing maintenance free vinyl windows | |
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| Replacing double-hung wood with wood sashes | |
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| Low-E glass | |
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| Miscellaneous | |
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| Availability of plaster walls | |
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| Solid-surface counter maintenance | |
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| Eliminating termites | |
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| Noise control in condominium units | |
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| Fiberglass vs. cellulose insulation | |
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| How to caulk | |
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| Resetting circuit breakers | |
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| Leaking washer machines | |
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| What to do with flooded electrical appliances | |
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| Reducing bathroom humidity | |
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| Best tools for plumbing repairs | |
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| What is that pipe sticking through my roof? | |
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| Routine plumbing system checks | |
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| Preparing the house for cold weather | |
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| Gutter maintenance | |
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| Stripping furniture | |
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| Deicing concrete | |
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| Building a computer stand | |
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| Best tools for drywalling | |
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| Selecting the right power tools | |
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| Fixing a squeaking floor | |
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| Manufacturer Troubleshooting Guides and Do's and Don'ts | |
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| A.O. Smith Water Products Company | |
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| Residential Electric Water Heaters | |
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| Residential Gas Water Heaters | |
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| American Standard | |
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| Toilets | |
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| The Chamberlain Group | |
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| Lift-Master Residential Garage Door Openers Frequently Asked Questions | |
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| Cold Point | |
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| Window Unit Air Conditioner | |
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| Davidson Ladders | |
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| Ten Ladder Safety Tips | |
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| Elkay Manufacturing Company | |
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| Suggestions for the care and cleaning of your Elkay Stainless Steel Sink | |
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| Care and Cleaning of Starlite/CORIAN Sinks | |
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| Fluidmaster | |
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| Toilet Tank Products | |
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| Other Toilet Troubles | |
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| General Electric | |
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| Monogram ZBD3500 Dishwasher | |
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| Monogram Stainless Steel Professional 30" Range | |
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| Monogram Stainless Steel Refrigerator | |
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| Grohe | |
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| Pull-Out Kitchen Faucets | |
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| Thermostatic Temperature Control Valves | |
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| In-Sink-Erator | |
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| Garbage Disposer Do's and Don'ts | |
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| Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath | |
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| Whirlpool Baths | |
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| Whirlpool Spas | |
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| Kohler Co. | |
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| Common Faucet Questions | |
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| Common Fixture Questions | |
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| Showerheads | |
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| Steam Generators | |
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| Toilets | |
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| Whirlpools | |
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| Moen | |
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| Selecting a Faucet | |
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| Rheem Manufacturing Company | |
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| Residential Electric Water Heaters | |
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| Residential Gas Water Heaters | |
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| Sub-Zero Freezer Company | |
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| Troubleshooting 500 Series Refrigerator and/or Freezers | |
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| Troubleshooting 600 Series Refrigerator and/or Freezers | |
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| Troubleshooting 700 Series Refrigerator and/or Freezers | |
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| Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturer's Association | |
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| Common Pump Problems | |
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| Universal-Rundle | |
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| Toilets | |
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| Whirlpool Baths | |
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| Waste King Professional | |
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| Food Waste Disposer Models 191, 291, 391, 591 991, 1091 | |
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| Werner Ladder | |
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| Ladder Safety Tips | |
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| Whirlaway by Sinkmaster | |
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| Food Waste Disposers | |
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| Whirlpool Corporation | |
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| Easy-To-Use Electric and Gas Dryers | |
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| Microwave Ovens | |
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| 22" to 25" No-Frost Top Freezer Refrigerators | |
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| Room Air Conditioners | |
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| Self-Cleaning Electric Range | |
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| Self-Cleaning Gas Range | |
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| Upright Freezers | |
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| Two-Speed Automatic Washers | |
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| White-Rodgers | |
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| 5 Day/2 Day Electronic Digital Thermostat Model 1F90-71 | |
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| Multi-Stage/Heat Pump Electronic Digital Thermostat Model 1F92-71 | |
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| Zoeller Pump Company | |
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| General Pump Questions | |
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| Website and Telephone Directory Building Products Manufacturers, Institutes and Associations | |
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| Manufacturers | |
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| Associations, Organizations and Institutes | |
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| Informational Resources Sites | |
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| Energy and Water Conservation Tips | |
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| Energy Conservation Tips | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Lighting | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Windows | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Cooling Your House | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Landscaping | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Building a House | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Appliances | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Driving | |
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| Energy Efficiency Tips for Hot Water Use | |
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| Tips for Increasing Home Comfort and Energy Efficiency | |
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| No Cost and Low Cost Efficiency Tips | |
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| Water Conservation Tips | |
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| General Facts and Figures | |
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| Indoor Water Saving Tips | |
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| Outdoor Water Saving Tips | |
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| Natural Disasters and Emergency Planning | |
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| Natural Disasters and Emergency Planning | |
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| Your Family Disaster Plan | |
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| 4 Steps to Safety | |
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| Home Hazard Hunt | |
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| Evacuation | |
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| Emergency Supplies | |
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| Family Disaster Supplies Kit | |
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| Water | |
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| Food | |
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| First Aid Kit | |
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| Supplies | |
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| Earthquakes | |
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| What to do during an earthquake | |
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| What to do after an earthquake | |
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| Inspecting utilities in a damaged home | |
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| Pets after an earthquake | |
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| Floods and Flash Floods | |
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| What to do during a flood watch | |
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| What to do during a flood | |
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| What to do after a flood | |
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| Inspecting utilities in a damaged home | |
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| Hurricanes | |
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| What to do before a hurricane | |
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| Hurricane watches and warnings | |
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| What to do during a hurricane watch | |
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| What to do during a hurricane warning | |
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| What to do after a hurricane | |
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| Inspecting utilities in a damaged home | |
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| Tornadoes | |
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| What to do before a tornado | |
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| Tornado watches and warnings | |
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| What to do during a tornado | |
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| What to do after a tornado | |
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| Inspecting utilities in a damaged home | |
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| Index | |