How Your House Works

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About This Book

A complete homeowner's guide to residential systems. Covers plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, foundations, insulation, safety codes, and working with contractors — with practical troubleshooting and maintenance guidance.

Front Matter

1. How Your House Works
2. Preface
3. How to Use This Book
4. Prerequisites
5. Acknowledgments
6. How Your House Works — Complete Outline

Part 1: The Anatomy of a House

1. Part 1: The Anatomy of a House
2. Chapter 1: How a House Is Built — Structure, Systems, and What Holds It All Together
3. Chapter 2: Foundations — Slab, Crawlspace, and Basement: What's Underneath You
4. Chapter 3: Framing — Wood, Steel, and How Walls and Floors Carry Load
5. Chapter 4: Insulation and the Building Envelope: Keeping Heat Where You Want It
6. Chapter 5: Windows and Doors: Sealing Against Weather, Noise, and Energy Loss

Part 2: Plumbing — Water In, Water Out

1. Part 2: Plumbing — Water In, Water Out
2. Chapter 6: Your Home's Water Supply: From Main Line to Faucet
3. Chapter 7: Hot Water Systems: Tanks, Tankless, and Heat Pump Water Heaters
4. Chapter 8: The Drain-Waste-Vent System: Where It All Goes
5. Chapter 9: Toilets, Sinks, and Fixtures — What's Actually Inside and How to Fix It
6. Chapter 10: Common Plumbing Problems — Leaks, Clogs, Pressure, and Frozen Pipes
7. Chapter 11: Sewer Lines and Septic Systems — The Underground Truth

Part 3: Electrical Systems

1. Part 3: Electrical Systems
2. Chapter 12: How Electricity Works in Your Home: Basics Every Homeowner Needs
3. Chapter 13: The Electrical Panel: Breakers, Fuses, Circuits, and Load
4. Chapter 14: Wiring, Outlets, and Switches: What's Behind the Wall
5. Chapter 15: Lighting: Efficiency, Controls, and Common Problems
6. Chapter 16: Electrical Safety and Common Problems: GFCI, AFCI, and When to Call
7. Chapter 17: Solar, EV Chargers, and Whole-Home Generators: Modern Electrical Additions

Part 4: HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning

1. Part 4: HVAC — Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning
2. Chapter 18: How Heating Systems Work: Furnaces, Boilers, and Heat Pumps
3. Chapter 19: Air Conditioning and Cooling Systems: How They Work and What Fails
4. Chapter 20: Ductwork, Airflow, and Ventilation: Moving Air Through Your Home
5. Chapter 21: Thermostats, Zoning, and Smart Controls
6. Chapter 22: Air Quality, Filters, and Humidity: What Your HVAC Is (and Isn't) Doing
7. Chapter 23: HVAC Efficiency Ratings, Energy Bills, and When to Replace

Part 5: The Roof and Building Exterior

1. Part 5: The Roof and Building Exterior
2. Chapter 24: Roofing Systems: Shingles, Metal, Tile, and Flat Roofs
3. Chapter 25: Gutters, Downspouts, and Drainage: Moving Water Away from Your Foundation
4. Chapter 26: Siding and Exterior Cladding: What Protects Your Walls
5. Chapter 27: Foundation Exterior — Waterproofing, Grading, and Keeping Water Out

Part 6: Interior Systems and Finishes

1. Part 6: Interior Systems and Finishes
2. Chapter 28: Drywall, Plaster, and Interior Walls — What They Are and How to Fix Them
3. Chapter 29: Flooring Systems — Wood, Tile, Vinyl, Carpet — What's Under Your Feet
4. Chapter 30: The Kitchen — Appliances, Ventilation, and Plumbing
5. Chapter 31: Bathrooms — Waterproofing, Tile, Ventilation, and What Goes Wrong
6. Chapter 32: Basements and Crawlspaces — Moisture, Finishing, and Problem-Solving

Part 7: Safety, Codes, and the Unexpected

1. Part 7: Safety, Codes, and the Unexpected
2. Chapter 33: Building Codes, Permits, and Inspections: Why They Exist and How They Protect You
3. Chapter 34: Hazardous Materials: Lead, Asbestos, Radon, and Mold
4. Chapter 35: Fire Safety: Detection, Suppression, and Egress
5. Chapter 36: Disasters and Emergency Prep — Flooding, Earthquakes, Storms, and Power Outages

Part 8: Working with Contractors and Managing Your Home

1. Part 8: Working with Contractors and Managing Your Home
2. Chapter 37: Finding and Vetting Contractors — Hiring Well Is the Foundation of Every Successful Project
3. Chapter 38: Quotes, Contracts, and Permits — Protecting Yourself Legally and Financially
4. Chapter 39: Home Inspections — What They Cover, What They Miss, and How to Read One
5. Chapter 40: Preventive Maintenance — Your Year-Round Home Care Schedule

Part 9: Capstone Projects

1. Part 9: Capstone Projects
2. Capstone 1: Diagnosing Your Home — A Full Systems Assessment
3. Capstone 2: Planning a Major Renovation — Budget, Sequence, and Contractor Management
4. Capstone 3: Buying a Home — What to Actually Look For (and What to Run From)

Appendices

1. Appendix A: Quick-Reference Emergency and Maintenance Cards
2. Appendix B: Templates and Worksheets
3. Appendix C: Resource Directory
4. Appendix D: The 50 Most Common Homeowner Questions
5. Appendix E: Glossary
6. Appendix F: Answers to Selected Exercises
7. Appendix G: Bibliography and Sources

How Your House Works

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