Complete Idiot's Guide to Household Disasters

Owning a house can be full of surprises-and not always pleasant ones. Suppose your basement floods from a backed-up septic tank? Or you had a small fire in the laundry room due to faulty wiring? And how about termites, dry rot, or mold; or tree limbs crashing into the garage during a windstorm? The Complete Idiot's Guide (R) to Common Household Disasters is the first and only comprehensive guide to dealing with these and dozens of other situations that can cause serious damage to your house. In clear, concise, and practical language, this complete handbook is designed to give everyone from the novice to the veteran homeowner invaluable advice on (1) defining and troubleshooting the cause of the problem (2) the practical step-by-step approach to limiting the damage and fixing the problem (3) preventing most common problems from happening again through proper permanent repair, regular maintenance, and seasonal checks (4) recognizing the warning signs before the potential disaster occurs and taking steps to prevent it (5) when and how to choose the right contractor or professional to do the work and (6) how to save money whether you fix it yourself or you hire someone to do it.