Purpose: Protects wiring from nails and screws when holes in studs are less than 11/4 inches from the edge of the stud.
Typical Applications: Use whenever cables or flexible conduit are notched into framing or run through holes too close to the edge.
What to Look for: Plate must be at least 1/16 inch thick.

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   Nails are specified by a confusing "penny" designation (abbreviated as "d"). This naming system derives indirectly from pounds per hundred nails-the way nails were once sold. The larger the nail, the greater the weight per hundred. Carpenters refer to a 10d nail as a"10 penny" nail.

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   Published by the National Fire Protection Association (a private, non-profit organization), the NEC sets out rules for safe electrical installations. Though not law in itself, the NEC serves as the basis for just about all local and state electrical codes. The Canadian Electrical Code is the Canadian counterpart of the NEC and differs from it in some particulars.

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Purpose: Tight squeezes, wire cutting.
When to Use: Bending wire to wrap a terminal.
What to Look for: Jaws and cutting blades should meet evenly. Hold them up to light. A diagonal chink of light coming though indicates poor quality.

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   After current expends its energy, it is said to be neutral. Neutral wires carry current back to the service panel and the earth. Neutral wires are always clad in white insulation. Also see hot and ground.

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Other Names: Nail-on box
Purpose: For interior switches and receptacles with non-metallic cable.
Typical Applications: Open wood framing before drywall is installed.
Common Sizes: Single gang, right, for one device, and double gang, left, for two devices.
Also Available: Three- to six-gang boxes sold by electrical supply houses. Larger four-square boxes are handy for use with a plaster ring or as a junction box.

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Other Names: Nail-On Box.
Purpose: Mounting interior lights wired with non-metallic cable.
Typical Applications: Ceilings with exposed wood joists.

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   A piece of threaded steel or brass pipe, generally a foot or less in length. Close nipples, which are as short as 11/2 inches, are threaded from one end to the other. Nipples accept female fittings at each end.

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   Sawdust to which high-nitrogen fertilizer has been added. The fertilizer replaces nitrogen used by soil microbes while decomposing the sawdust. Buy it or make your own by adding 2-3 pounds of high-nitrogen fertilizer (per 100 square feet) to each 1-inch thickness of fresh sawdust.

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Other Names: Hubless Coupler.
Purpose: This is the magic item that makes it possible for ordinary people to use ABS or PVC pipe to extend or repair a cast-iron DWV system.
Comments: The coupler consists of a neoprene sleeve with a stainless-steel jacket and a pair of hose clamps. To use it, you just slip one end of each of the pipes to be joined into the coupler and tighten the clamps. That's all there is to it. When these first appeared, veteran plumbers thought it would be the end of their trade. Now they all use them.

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Other Names: Romex.
Purpose: Interior wiring.
Typical Applications: Wherever allowed by local electrical codes; in buildings three stories or less; with plastic or metal boxes.
Comments: NM cable with plastic boxes is the least expensive cable system and the easiest to install. If you staple cable within 8 inches of a plastic box, you aren't required to use connectors. With metal boxes, use snap-in plastic connectors.
Also Available: Water-resistant (type NMC) cable for laundry rooms and basements where moisture may be present; waterproof (type UF--underground feeder) cable for outdoor burial, if permitted.
Caution: Screws and nails driven in framing can penetrate NM cable. Hammer nail plates over a cable whenever it lies within 11/4 inches from the edge of the framing.

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   When you select the number of coats, include one for primer if you intend to use it. When you check the Unpainted Walls box, the program assumes that you will use primer on the first coat and cover only 250 sq. ft. per gallon.

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Purpose: Tightening and loosening small nuts and bolts.
Comments: Despite the name, you'll probably find that you drive more bolts and screws with this tool. If you're working with a lot of no-hub couplers in a tight space, get a 5/16-inch nut driver-even though a screwdriver or adjustable wrench will also work. Since the nut driver doesn't slip off the bolt, it can save you time, frustration and skinned knuckles.

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Purpose: Seals valve parts
Comments: It's tough to determine O-ring sizes, so always take the old one with you when you go to the store. Removal tools, called O-ring picks, are available, but you can use the blade of a pocket knife if you're careful.
The Pros Say: When you replace O-rings, coat them slightly with plumber's grease. They will slip on better, and the lubricant helps them last longer.

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Other Names: O-Box or Four-O box.
Purpose: Mounting interior lights, wired with non-metallic cable or armored cable.
Typical Applications: Ceilings with exposed wood joists.

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   Decks that stand 30 inches or more off the ground.

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Other Names: Wiggly Driver, Speed Driver.
When to Use: Great for tightening device-mounting screws.
Comments: This is the poor man's cordless driver for making up electrical boxes. Sold in electrical supply houses, not in most hardware stores.

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   This device enables you to flush-mount an electrical box in a plaster-and-lath ceiling. You remove a strip of lath between two joists and screw the ends of the bar to the joists. Fasten the box to the center of the bar. It is offset to accommodate the thickness of the box.

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   Old linseed oil paints (the original "oil" paint) are largely obsolete. Now these paints are mostly made with alkyd and other synthetic resins. Nevertheless, the terms are used interchangeably throughout the trade.

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Other Names: Remodel Box, Cut-In Box.
Purpose: Mounting switches and receptacles with non-metallic cable.
Typical Applications: Adding switches or receptacles in finished walls.
Also Available: Two-gang boxes add a pair of devices to a finished wall.

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Other Names: Remodel box, cut-in box.
Purpose: Mounting interior lights with non-metallic cable.
Typical Applications: Adding lights in finished ceilings.
What to Look for: Make sure the metal flange holds the box securely against the drywall or plaster.
Comments: For heavy light fixtures, install wood blocking between the joists to hold the weight, or use a fan support brace.

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   As measured from the center of the post (rather than the distance between sides).

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   The working time after an adhesive has been applied, but before the pieces must be assembled.

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   Decomposed plant or animal matter that supplies nutrients to plants. Good sources include homemade compost, nitrogen-fortified sawdust, aged steer manure, sphagnum peat moss and leaf mold.

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   Any point in a circuit where power is consumed or controlled. Receptacles, light fixtures and switches are installed at these outlets.

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   Prevents the toilet tank from overflowing. The overflow tube drains into the toilet bowl so that if the fill valve sticks open, your bathroom doesn't wind up looking like a flood plain in springtime.

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   When a circuit is carrying more amperage than it was designed to handle, wires heat up, blowing a fuse or tripping a breaker.

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   Large, often decorative, nut located directly beneath the handle of a faucet. It caps the faucet valve and compresses the packing washer against the valve stem to create a watertight assembly.

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Purpose: Mounting light fixtures.
Typical Applications: When you retrofit wiring lights in a plaster ceiling, it's often easier to mount a pancake box on top of the lath than to cut the lath for a full-depth lighting box.
Comments: Use a 4-inch pancake with one 14-gauge cable, only. Three-inch diameter pancake boxes are not permitted by most localities because they don't have sufficient volume.

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   A parabolic aluminized reflector lamp has a heavy glass lens that focuses the light. This makes it suitable for outdoor as well as indoor use. PAR-lamps come in both incandescent and halogen versions. As with R-lamps, the number indicates the wattage.

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   At least 2-3 hours of direct sun a day, mostly in the morning.

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   On a double-hung window, the wooden strip that separates the two sashes. Also called parting bead.

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   It doesn't take a lot of light to provide a welcoming glow and a measure of safety along your entry walk. This low-voltage, Malibu-style light spikes into the ground for easy installation. The system is often sold as a kit that includes a transformer, a half-dozen or so lights and connecting wires.

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   Flat masonry units resembling thick tiles, used for paving.

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   A special roller that dispenses peat moss in an even, thin layer.

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   The cylindrical remainder of a log that has been turned on a giant lathe to "peel" plywood veneer. Often sold at landscape-supply centers.

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   Peeling results from moisture in the wood trying to escape. Moisture comes through walls that do not have a proper vapor barrier. In new homes, the moisture may come from improperly dried framing or siding. Siding painted too soon after a rainfall is also subject to peeling and blistering.
Solution: Remove the finish to bare wood, and allow the siding to dry. Prime and paint.

   Blisters are often caused when paint is applied in direct sunlight. They form when the solvent tries to evaporate through a dried film. Water-reducible paints can also trap moisture before they dry. If, however, bare wood shows underneath the blisters, the problem is likely due to moisture. (See peeling, above.)
Solution: Scrape off blisters, sand, prime and paint.

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   A peephole clamp secures armored cable to electrical boxes. Each clamp has an opening so an electrical inspector can verify that you've installed an anti-short bushing at every connection.

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   Lubricant that helps dissolve rust. Common brands are WD-40 and Liquid Wrench.

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   A plant that lives more than two years.

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   A measure of acidity or alkalinity, on a scale of 0 (highly acid) to 14 (highly alkaline). Soil pH affects how well plants absorb nutrients. At the wrong pH, nutrients may be there but plants can't use them. Most plants do best within a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5; for many, a pH of 6.5 is ideal.

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   You only need one 24- or 26-gauge wire for each phone, but you may as well run two or four pairs for later use. You may want to add a second line for phone, fax or modem. The same wires can handle computer networks, thermostats and other low-voltage signals.

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   Photoelectric units have a beam of light aimed at a photocell. Smoke blocks the light, which triggers the alarm. Photoelectric smoke detectors respond well to slow-burning, smoldering fires in furniture, bedding and draperies. Most photoelectric units require 120 volts AC.
   Dirty, high-pollution or high-particle environments-such as a kitchen, workshop or garage-can coat the photocell and trigger a false alarm. Dust particles from ink jet printers can also block the beam. Install photoelectric detectors away from heating and air conditioning vents.

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Other Names: Electric eye.
Purpose: Turns light on at dusk, turns it off at dawn.
Typical Applications: Porch lights.
Comments: Heavily shaded locations trick these switches into staying on too long. Look for sensitivity adjustments and models that allow you to point their eyes to the light.

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   Short lengths of wire spliced with a wire connector.

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   A column of concrete or masonry used to reinforce intervening panels and prevent them from tipping.

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   These slitted foam sleeves fit over your hot-water pipes to reduce radiant-heat loss from the walls of the tubing-and save money and energy. Other types include fiberglass insulation you wrap onto pipes, spiral-fashion, and tape in place.

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Other Names: Monkey Wrench
Purpose: Tightening and loosening threaded pipe connections.
Comments: Use pipe wrenches in pairs, one to hold and one to turn the pipe or fitting.
What to Look for: The teeth on cheaper wrenches are often less sharp when new and wear out faster. Consider a lighter, aluminum handled version if you're buying a wrench longer than 12 inches.

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Other Names: Pipe Dope
Purpose: Sealing pipe threads.
Comments: Brush this sticky paste on the male threads before you connect fittings in galvanized-steel and black-iron pipe system-or use Teflon pipe tape. Both work fine, although some plumbers consider joint compound to be the more professional solution. Compound is your only choice when you can't reach the male fitting in a joint-as sometimes happens inside walls.

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Other Names: Mouse traps, box supports.
Purpose: Holds a retrofit box in drywall or plaster wall.
Typical Applications: When adding a box in a finished wall.
Comments: Slip the long edge of the metal plate behind the lath or drywall, along either side of the box. Bend the short tabs into the box to clamp it against the back of the wall.
Disadvantages: Ears are difficult to tighten effectively and may loosen over time. Use only for switches since they don't receive the same stress as receptacles.

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Other Names: Mud Rings, Switch Rings.
Purpose: Adapts four-square boxes to two-gang or single-gang devices, left and right, or to light fixtures, center. Also used to bring the face of the box out flush to finished wall surface.
Typical Applications: Use when drywall is attached over old plaster walls or when tile is added. Also used to change from two devices to one, one to two, or to mount a light in a square box.
What to Look for: Made in 1/4- to 2-inch depths to match wall thickness.

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   Plastic boxes are less expensive than metal ones and easier to install, since you don't need cable clamps to connect properly stapled non-metallic cable to the box. Plastic boxes are actually more fire-resistant than metal boxes. They are UL-rated for two hours of protection against fire.

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Purpose: Making clean, quick cuts in PVC plastic pipe.
Comments: Use it for projects like sprinkler systems when you have to make alot of cuts. Since it makes perfect 90-degree, burr-free cuts, it saves much time and aggravation compared to a saw and file.

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   A legal document that shows the boundaries and easements of your property, as determined by a survey.

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   A bit that attaches to an electric drill to bore properly sized holes for plugs.

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   Specially formulated fertilizer that helps plugs start growing quickly. Sold by plug suppliers.

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   Small pieces of sod.

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Other Names: Valve grease
Purpose: Lubricates faucet stems and O-rings.
Comments: Never substitute petroleum jelly, it can harm rubber over time. Heat-resistant valve grease also helps seal stove valves.

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Plumber's Tape Other Names: Pipe Strap Purpose: To make pipe support straps. Comments: Cut the galvanized-steel strapping with tin snips. Copper and plastic versions of this perforated tape are available for use with those materials.

Plunger Other Names: Force Cup, Plumber's Helper, Plumber's Friend Purpose: Clearing obstructions from sink drains and toilets. Comments: This familiar tool provides the classic, low-tech solution for stopped-up lines. The bulb-type, shown, has an extendible collar that makes a better seal in toilets and wide sink drains. For other drains, fold the collar up, and the tool works just like a conventional plunger. When it doesn't work, you'll need to move on to a closet auger, snake, or power auger. Related Topic: Using a Plunger (Press "Back" button to return to previous page)

   Air-driven.

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   Handsaws are measured in point sizes which correspond to teeth per inch. The higher the number, the finer (and slower) the cut.

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   Look closely at a new receptacle and you'll notice that its left and right slots are different sizes. The taller slot carries neutral current; the shorter one is hot. Plugs should be wired accordingly. If the wires are reversed, a polarized appliance could give you a shock.

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Post Hole Auger    Post hole diggers make neat, cylindrical holes in the soil for fence posts and footings. Hand-operated diggers have parallel wooden handles and a pair of curved blades.    If you need to dig a lot of holes or deep footings below frost line, rent a gas-driven post hole auger, top. The engine is mounted between handles above a large spiral bit. A single person can operate a small auger. It takes two people to run the larger unit. (Press "Back" button to return to previous page)

   After you pour concrete, the next step is to level and finish the surface before it dries. A careful finish is especially important for visible flatwork such as patios and sidewalks, less so for concrete that will be hidden under brick or stone. Follow these steps:

   Level the surface by drawing the edge of a straight board along the top of the forms in a back-and-forth sawing motion. This smoothes out the bumps and low spots.

   On concrete that will remain exposed, such as sidewalks or patios, you'll need to neaten the edges and guide the cracking that will occur as the concrete expands and contracts. First, butt and run a steel edging tool against the forms to round over the edges. Next, use a jointer at intervals to score the concrete with grooves.

   Use a wood float to further smooth the concrete after water has come to the surface and evaporated. Wood floats give a coarse finish good for traction on exterior surfaces. For a dense, hard, smooth surface, finish the concrete with a concrete trowel.

   Other surfaces include
    Broom finish
    Sand
    Rock salt
    Seeded aggregate

   Spray the surface with water and cover it with plastic sheeting to keep it damp. Remove the plastic after 3 days. After 5 days, the concrete has reached 90 percent of maximum hardness.

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   A remote-control device that sends and receives coded signals over household wiring. With PLCs you can control lights and appliances throughout the house.

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   A tilted drum with a motorized blade or spiral that mixes mortar. Run it for 3 to 5 minutes to thoroughly combine the materials. Longer mixing weakens mortar.

Compacting the base:

   To prevent paved surfaces from settling and cracking later, you'll need to compact the soil and base beneath them before you build.
   First, moisten the graded soil-but not so it's soggy. Compact small areas with the end of a 4-by-4 or run a vibratory rammer over them. For large areas, use a vibratory plate or a vibratory roller.
   Also use these tools to compact a gravel base, except on pea gravel, which compacts naturally.
   If the project calls for a sand base, wet and screed the sand until it's perfectly flat and densely packed. For best results, screed it several times.

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Pressure Gauge Purpose: To measure water pressure in residential plumbing. Comments: Threads on to a hose bibb by hand. This one costs less than $5.00.

   Lumber that is impregnated under pressure with chemicals that inhibit the growth of mold and prevent rot. Pressure-treated lumber is particularly useful for situations where wood comes in contact with the ground or concrete, and for numerous outdoor building projects.

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Other Names: Power washer.
Purpose: Pressure washers make quick work of light-duty cleaning tasks such as washing cars, decks, siding and driveways. They blast mildew off siding and decks to help restore the original color. They deep-clean exterior siding for repainting, and they scour mold from sidewalks, patios and walls.
When to Use: Gas-powered rental units, which operate at about 2,500 pounds per square inch, handle heavy-duty tasks such as paint removal. Homeowner's models, under 1,000 pounds per square inch, help with light-duty cleaning.

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   Winds that generally blow from the same direction. The direction may change with the season--for example, southwest in summer and northwest in winter.

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Purpose: Turns lights on and off according to a programmable schedule.
Typical Applications: For security, to make it appear you're at home; for convenience, to turn on outdoor lighting before you come home. You can also rig up plug-in models to operate the TV and radio when you're away to create a lived-in illusion.

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   A 90-degree conduit body. In building trade lingo, any right angle, elbow fitting is termed an "el."

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Purpose: Splices up to four solid wires.
Typical Applications: Connecting ground wires, or splicing hot wires or neutral wires inside a wiring box. DO NOT use push nuts to splice wires outside of boxes.
Comments: Use push nuts anywhere wire connectors are permitted. They cost a bit more, but you don't have to twist them on-your wrist will appreciate it. You can test for hot wires without removing push nuts. They have small holes in their ends to fit the probe of your voltage tester.

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   A clear, syrupy adhesive usually sold for joining white PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe.

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Purpose: This familiar white plastic pipe is used mostly for irrigation systems. In large sizes, it's now widely accepted for DWV systems.
Comments: It's likely that your local code won't permit PVC plastic pipe for supply lines inside your house, although it may allow a related type, CPVC pipe. Like all plastic pipe, it's easy to cut and easy to join with special pipe cement.

Related Topic:
Cementing Plastic Pipe

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   One of several energy-efficient alternatives to standard incandescent lighting outside your home. The fixtures do cost more initially (and replacement lamps do too), but if you want to provide a lot of bright light for many hours each night, these will save you money in the long run. 300- and 500-watt lamps are commonly sold as work lights. Mount them on weatherproof wiring boxes with standard 1/2-inch threaded holes.

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   Light-duty replacement plugs. To install, snip off the old plug and insert the old cord into the new plug, according to package directions. Prongs inside the plug pierce the insulation when you close the plug (or a lever on top of it) eliminating any need to strip the wires.

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   The R stands for reflector, an interior coating of aluminum that reflects light to the front of the bulb. Some fixtures, notably recessed types, trap light inside. Reflector lamps reduce this loss by projecting light out of the fixture and into the room. In these fixtures, a 50-watt R-lamp provides equivalent lighting and uses less energy than a 100-watt standard incandescent bulb. The number after the R is the bulb's wattage.

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   A rectangular groove in the edge of the sash.

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   Electromagnetic waves traveling in straight lines.

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   Rafters are the roof-framing members that provide support for sheathing and roofing.

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   Short for "reinforcing bar". This steel bar is embedded in concrete and masonry to strengthen it. Sold in 20-foot lengths and in various diameters.

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   A rebar also has a built-in bender. With the handle up, lay the rebar between three heavy-duty pins on the bender's head, then push down the handle to bend the rebar. You can bend to any angle up to 90 degrees.

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   This cover fits standard duplex receptacles. These covers are also used to finish stack switches and switch/receptacle combinations.

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Other Names: Polarity Tester.
Purpose: Tests three-hole 120-volt receptacles for power, polarity and grounding.
When to Use: After you've turned on the power to new receptacles or whenever you want to inspect an existing installation.
Also Available: A similar tester works on GFCI receptacles only.

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   Commonly referred to as plugs, outlets or sockets. Standard household receptacles come in white, ivory and brown. Decorator lines have more colors. For heavy-duty appliances, get a receptacle rated for the proper amperage.

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   These unobtrusive lights cost between $15 and $35 for the basic can. Each requires some sort of decorative trim ring. Some models include the ring. If you want to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in a recessed light, be sure to get a model designed for it. CFLs require a different reflector to push their light down efficiently. With incandescent models, use reflector spots or floods.

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Other Names: Sawzall.
Purpose: Rough-cutting wood and metal.
When to Use: This tool is indispensable for remodeling. It's great for cutting notches for pipe or cable and openings in existing walls when nothing else seems to fit.
What to Look for: Though you probably won't have much choice at a rental yard, try to get a saw that lets you mount the blade with the teeth up or down. This feature may make a difference in a tight spot. A variable-speed switch offers more control when cutting.
Comments: The replaceable blades you'll need will probably cost less at a hardware store or home center than at the rental yard. Choose bi-metal blades for maximum wear.

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Purpose: Transitions between different diameters of pipe
Examples include:
No-hub mission coupling, to join dissimilar cast-iron pipe sizes.
PVC bushing to join 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch pipes.
ABS reduction wye, fitted with a 4-by 2-inch bushing.
Copper reducing tee.
Threaded Reduction fittings: bell reducer, has female threads for two unlike nipples; bushing has male thread for a large fitting and female thread for a smaller nipple coming out.

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   All materials, including wires, hamper the flow of electricity to some extent, converting some of the energy in the current to heat.

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   For surfaces subjected to heavy wear such as floors, furniture, countertops and other surfaces that are subject to heavy use.

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   Paints able to withstand abrasion and household cleansers and detergents.

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   Horizontal stems that grow underground to spread to new areas.

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   Right-angle clamps exit a wiring box at 90 degrees. Use these when you don't have room to bend armored cable into place.

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Purpose: Drilling holes in tight places.
When to Use: Great for drilling cable pathways between studs and joists.
What to Look for: Be sure the drill you rent includes a chuck key and a wrench for adjusting the right angle head. An adjustable side-handle should be included, too.
Comments: You might be able to drill all your cable paths with a 3/8-inch VSR drill, but a right-angle drill has far more power and can get into tight spots with ease. Rent it if you have lots of drilling to do and can organize your work to get it all done in one day.

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Purpose: Use for outdoor wiring that may be exposed to damage (lawnmowers and cars are two common hazards).
Typical Applications: In trenches shallower than 18 inches, or as the first length of conduit leading into plastic conduit in a trench.
Comments: Rigid uses two kinds of connectors: threaded and threadless compression fittings. Threaded connections are similar to threaded plumbing pipe. You have to either plan carefully and use only ready-made parts or rent cutting and threading tools to make custom lengths. Threadless compression fittings slip over cut pipe and form a waterproof seal when tightened. Use pre-bent 45-degree and 90-degree sections to change direction.

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Purpose: Underground wiring.
Typical Applications: Outdoor lighting, buried service to outbuildings.
What to Look for: Do not confuse this with white PVC plumbing pipe. Use Schedule 40 pipe for residential work. Schedule 80 is thicker and may be required for commercial applications. Use an approved glue for the non-threaded connections.
Comments: Because it's far more flexible than rigid metal conduit, and easier to cut and join, plastic is much easier to install. The parts are less expensive, too. Cut plastic conduit with a hacksaw and attach couplings and fittings with glue.
   Do not bury plastic less than 18 inches deep. Use a pre-bent 90-degree section of rigid metal conduit above ground to reach the bottom of the trench, then use an adapter fitting to the rigid plastic. Requires a ground wire in the conduit.

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   A latch you open by pivoting a ring off the end of a horizontal bar.

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   A nail with raised edges along its shank--like threads in a screw--that make it hard to pull out.

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   Cutting in line with wood grain; to rip a board is to cut along its length.

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   The vertical distance from the bottom to the top of a slope or step.

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   The vertical part of a step.

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   Rock salt is lightly and evenly broadcast, then troweled into a surface. The salt dissolves after the surface is lightly washed and leaves pocks or voids in the surface.

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   A metal or plastic drum you fill with water and roll over the lawn to tamp down soil or newly planted grass.

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   Finish roofing materials are applied on top of roof sheathing, which serves to provide a flat, sound nailing base. Sheathing also strengthens your roof's structure. Common sheathing materials include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), wood shingles, and 1-by-6's.

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   Also called "underlayment," roofing felt is a thick, black, asphalt-impregnated, paper-like material. On your roof it provides an additional rain barrier. It is impervious enough to block out and shed rain but also porous enough to allow moisture and condensation to escape from your attic.

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   Where the roots join the base of the stem.

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   A mass of soil held together by roots.

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   With crowded roots that grow above the soil in a container, through its drainage holes, or circling inside.

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   A mallet with a rubber or plastic head, used to tap stones or masonry into place without chipping them.

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   The horizontal distance covered by a slope.

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   Rainwater or snow melt that runs over the ground instead of soaking in. It runs off because the ground is too steep, too hard, or too saturated with water.

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   This magnesium rod prolongs heater life by attracting mineral elements in the water that would otherwise attack exposed metal parts in the tank and its plumbing.

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   This is a problem most often caused during application. It happens when the paint is:
applied too thickly;
over-thinned;
applied over an undercoat that was not thoroughly dry;
applied to a too-glossy surface; or
applied over a washing compound that left residual powder on the surface.
Sagging also occurs when the surface you painted was very hot or cold. Temperature extremes make the paint too thick or too thin.

Solution: Sand or chemically strip sagged paint. Prime and repaint.

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   Gritty, fast-draining soil made up of large particles.

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   On a window, the frame that holds the glass.

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   Iron counterweight that balances a double hung sash. The weights hang on a cord that goes over a pulley in the window frame and ties to the sash. Newer double hungs use several different spring-loaded sash balance systems.

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   A plant's official Latin or Greek name, recognized by gardeners and scientists around the world. For example, Ipomoea tricolor `Heavenly Blue' is the `Heavenly Blue' cultivar of morning glory.

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   A lightweight shovel that has a short handle and a wide blade with turned-up edges. Used to move loose material, not for digging.

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   A board drawn across wet concrete or a sand base to level.

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   Thin, flat wood trim, with either a plain- or scalloped-face, used to cover the edge of screening where it is stapled to a wood frame.

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   Screws on the sides of receptacles and switches. You loosen each screw, wrap a wire around it and tighten the screw. Attach black wires to a brass terminal, white to a silver-colored terminal.

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   A concrete finish in which small pebbles are spread over wet concrete, worked into the top and revealed by washing and sweeping.

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   A self-centering bit (for example, Vix Bit(TM)) is spring-mounted inside a sleeve whose tip is tapered and sized to fit securely into countersunk screw holes in hardware.

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   A home sewage-disposal system consisting of a septic tank and a leach field.

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   A buried holding tank for household wastewater. A disposal company periodically unearths its hatch to pump it out, so you must keep it accessible.

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   The point where electricity from the power company arrives at your house. Wires may be strung overhead from a pole or buried in the ground.

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   Your home's main fuse or circuit breaker box.

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   Short bolt used to hold tool and machine parts on a shaft.

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   A specified distance from a property line that establishes where structures can be built.

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   Less than 1 hour of direct morning sun a day, or at least 2-3 hours of filtered sun a day.

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   Thin wood wedge used to fill small gaps between parts of the house. Shims are often made from wood shingle scraps.

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   When hot and neutral wires contact each other without passing through a device, they create an uncontrolled flow of current in the circuit. The term comes from the fact that the current, in effect, takes a shortcut. A blown fuse or breaker protects against fire.

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Shutoff Valve    A hand-turned valve located on supply pipes throughout the house, especially at sinks, toilets, water heaters, clothes washers and outdoor faucets.

   Typically for a 20-amp single receptacle.

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   Flush-mounted plates fit standard single-gang boxes and have slots for one or two phone plugs. When you're running phone wire in open walls, mount a box in each room where you want a phone, and use these plates to finish the job. Attach the yellow and black wires to the yellow and black terminals on the back of the plate. Most plates are sold in white or ivory only.

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   One wiring device in a single box is called a single gang. The box may also be called a one- or single-gang box.

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   A single-pole switch controls one hot wire. Double pole switches control two circuits for large lighting loads.

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Purpose: Controls a light or set of lights, a fan or a receptacle by itself.
Typical Applications: Good for most home lighting in rooms with only one door.
Comments: Available in white, ivory or brown. For children's rooms and basements, consider a switch with a small light in the handle. Whenever the switch is OFF, the handle is lit, making it easy to find.

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Purpose: To install and remove sink strainers.
Comments: This has to be one of the weirder-looking tools in a plumber's kit. (Is it a religious icon? Folk art?) When you need it, you need it, however. Chances are, one of the four ends of this wrench will engage the sink or tub drain basket and let you unscrew it. Buy or rent only if you really need it. (Of course, it might be fun to keep one around to stump your friends.)
Substitution: You can usually tighten a new strainer with the tips of needle-nose pliers inserted in the drain basket.

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   A bolt that slips into a rectangular or cylindrical strap mounted on a post.

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   Soldered or glued plumbing fittings. These have smooth-rather than threaded- inner surfaces. Available for plastic, brass and copper.

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   Slope is the measure of your roof's slant. To find the slope of your roof, measure how many inches it rises vertically for each 12 inches of horizontal "run," or distance. A "6-in-12" slope rises 6 inches vertically for every 12 horizontal inches of run.

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   A masonry unit with rounded edges and corners that give it the weathered appearance of adobe block.

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Other Names: Auger
Purpose: Clearing obstructions from drain lines.
What to Look for: The simplest snakes, right, are fine for most branch drains and usually run 25 feet or 50 feet long. Easier and neater to use, enclosed type, left, carries the spring snake in a housing with crank handle-which keeps the unused portion of the snake from flopping all over the place as you're cranking. To clear blockage in a toilet, a closet auger is a better choice than either of these.

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   Carpetlike sections of ready-grown lawn with soil attached.

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   A tool that cuts a lawn into 12- to 18-inch strips.

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   Lever-action tool that tightens a toothed chain around cast-iron or clay pipe to make a clean cut.

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   This central pipe, usually of 4-inch pipe, runs from basement to roof and provides both the central drain and the central vent for a two-story house. Most other drains and vents run into it, and the soil stack in turn runs into your house drain.

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   Rot-resistant synthetic cloth that lets water through but not soil.

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   Plants with fast-growing or tenacious root systems that help control erosion. The Plant Selector in the Designer can suggest these. For more ideas, consult your local Cooperative Extension office.

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   An engineer who evaluates the suitability of soil for building, terracing, drainage, and other uses.

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Purpose: Making watertight connections in copper-pipe systems.
Comments: The torch head, top, screws onto a disposable propane-gas canister. The striker, right, lights the torch when you turn on the gas-don't bother trying matches, they just blow out. Flux and flux brush, left, clean the joint to ensure good adhesion with the lead-free solder, rear. You'll also need 120-grit sandpaper or a fittings brush to clean pipe and fittings.
Related Topic:
Soldering Pipe

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   When you buy wire by the foot to pull through conduit, you have a choice of either type. For short runs, push solid wire through without a fish tape. For longer runs, use stranded wire-it's easier to pull because it's more flexible.
   Solid wire isn't made any larger than 4-gauge. Stranded wire cannot be directly attached to a device-you must use a spade terminal.

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   Will not break down in contact with common solvents contained in finishes.

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   Nail a fence board with its top at 6 feet from the ground, using a 4-foot level to check that it is plumb. Temporarily nail another at same height to other end of fence. Stretch a mason's line between them to align tops of fence boards. Rip a piece of scrap wood 6 inches wide. Butt it against first fence board to space next one. Check plumb every 4 boards.

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Purpose: Joins stranded wire to devices.
Typical Applications: Used in conduit systems to connect stranded wire to a screw terminal .
Comments: Use crimping pliers to lock a spade connector onto the stripped end of a stranded conductor. Always check the manufacturer's recommendation to get the right size for your wire.

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   A plant whose striking size, shape, or color makes it eye-catching.

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   Milled, decomposed plant debris from swamps and bogs. Keeps the soil acid and helps it hold water but does not supply plant nutrients. Moisten before using it or it will steal water away from plants.

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   A metal sleeve fits over the gutter spike and prevents the spike from collapsing the gutter.

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   A concrete or plastic block you place under a downspout to shield the soil against rushing water.

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   Splicing joins wires end to end, usually with a wire connector. Codes require that splices in 120-volt wiring be made only in electrical boxes.

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   Here's an assortment of hardware you can use to make connections inside boxes. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. They will specify how far back you should strip the wire and how many of each gauge wire you can use.

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   The long flexible cord that holds screen in place.

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Split Breaker Other Names: Wafers Purpose: Half-thickness circuit breakers, left, allow you to install two breakers in a standard slot.

   This is nothing more than a duplex receptacle modified so that its halves operate separately. This is often done to provide a switched receptacle for a lamp without affecting power to the other half. To split the device, use needle-nosed pliers to break off the small connecting tabs between the terminals.

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   Concrete blocks with a rough-textured outside face created when blocks are cast double and split down the middle. They're available in several colors and textures.

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   A device that drops or flings seeds evenly over a large area. Also used to apply fertilizer.

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   Pieces of grass stem and root, also called stolons.

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   An underground network of plastic pipes that deliver water through sprinkler heads around the yard. Timers or moisture sensors turn the water on and off.

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Purpose: Turning large nuts on drains, traps and toilets.
Comments: An adjustable version handles more nut sizes, but is a bit more cumbersome to use.

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Other name: Robertson.
Comments: A square-drive screwdriver is fairly new to the U.S., but standard in Canada. When you're driving a screw with one of these, the driver doesn't have a tendency to slip out of the head. The fit is so tight that the driver will actually hang horizontally from a screw head.

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   A metal tool with a T-shaped shank and a short, hollow blade. You push it into the soil to extract cores of soil that you replace with grass plugs.

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   Horizontal stems that spread above ground.

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   Hollow rubber ball that seals a toilet's flush valve between flushes. To replace the ball, unscrew it from the brass rod it hangs from.

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   A long, slender hinge whose halves extend horizontally from a "knuckle" pin at the center.

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Purpose: Turning chrome, polished brass or other decorative pipe without marring.
Comments: The cloth or plastic strap preserves the finish on decorative plumbing. Because of its low profile, it's also good for turning pipes against a wall.

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   A threaded steel elbow with one side female, the other male. Used to save space in tight spaces.

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   A typical brick pattern in which the long sides of the bricks show and joints are staggered.

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   A latch with a fixed metal bar that docks in a metal catch. You lift a rocking arm to release it.

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   A long piece of wood, usually made from a 2-by-12, that is notched to create the stairway's risers and treads.

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   A vertical support piece in a framed wall, usually 2-by-4 or 2-by-6. Studs are usually spaced every 16 inches. This leaves about a 141/2-inch gap between them.

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   The first layer of flooring above the joists. Newer homes have plywood or other panelized subfloors. Older homes typically have tongue-and-groove boards or diagonal planking.

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   An auxiliary power panel that has circuit breakers or fuses for two or more branch circuits. A feeder circuit brings power from the main panel to a subpanel. Unlike a service panel, in a subpanel, the grounds are not wired to the neutral bar, but rather connect to a separate grounding bar.

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   A chemical element, used in powdered or granular form to lower the pH of alkaline soil.

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   Tubing that connects a faucet or a fixture to a shutoff valve. Also called a riser.

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   Lighting is a trendy business. The popular designs that you see in a swank lighting showroom this year will likely be next year's knock-off for half the money. Prices start at under $10 for simple fixtures and rise rapidly into the hundreds.
   Whether you want to hang lights from the ceiling or mount them on the wall, you'll find most models use standard tungsten-incandescent lamps.

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   If you're bringing phone wires to a room with finished walls, mount these jacks on your baseboard with screws or double-sided tape. Jacks with holes for two plugs allow you to extend the phone line to another jack with modular cords or to operate an answering machine and phone on a single line.

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   Many professionals prefer to use Surform(TM) rasps to shape epoxy fillers because the perforated blades are replaceable. Solid-bodied rasps clog too quickly.

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   An exact mapping of property based on measurements and instrument sightings.

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   A landmark left by surveyors to locate the end of a property line.

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   You can buy simple covers like this one or those with slots for as many as six switches.

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   A pair of wires that bring the hot line to a switch from a lighting box, and then back to the light. If you open a switch box and see just one cable entering the box, this is wired as a loop.
   In a switch loop, always send current to a switch on the white wire, and back to the light or device on the black wire.

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Purpose: Pilot light indicates whether another light or appliance is on or off.
Typical Applications: Allows you to monitor a light you can't see, such as in a basement or garage.

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Purpose: To save room in a wiring box, this device combines a single switch and a single receptacle.
Typical Applications: Use in walk-in closets, where you'll need a receptacle only occasionally.

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   Switches can operate fans and receptacles as well as lights. All switches are rated by amperage. Always check the package to be sure that a switch can handle the intended load.

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   A chemical that, when sprayed on plants, kills the entire plant, roots and all. Glyphosate is an example.

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   Shaped more or less like a T, this hinge mounts flush on a post with its leg extending to the gate.

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Other Names: Clamshell connectors.
Purpose: Splices two wires without stripping and joining the ends.
Typical Applications: Tapping into an existing circuit.

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   Task lighting lets you get a good look at what you're doing. You use it at desks, countertops, sinks, workbenches and for that bestseller you stayed up half the night reading.
   Most tasks require 150 watts of incandescent or 40 watts of fluorescent lighting. For prolonged reading, experts recommend 200-300 watts incandescent, or 60-80 fluorescent. For countertops and workbenches, provide 120 watts of incandescent or 20 watts of fluorescent lighting for each 3 running feet of work surface. Mount fixtures 14-22 inches above the surface.

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Purpose: To create branches in the supply lines and drain, waste and vent lines.
Comments: There's a tee for every pipe material: ABS plastic sweep tee for drains, PVC plastic, galvanized iron, black iron. Use reducing tees to branch off with a smaller diameter run.

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Purpose: Sealing pipe threads.
Comments: Wrap this paper-thin, white tape around the male end of threaded connections, then screw on the threaded fitting of your choice. It's fast, neat and watertight. A yellow tape is available for gas pipes.

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Other Names: T&P Valve.
Purpose: Vents steam or hot water from the top of a water heater tank if the temperature or pressure inside reaches a dangerous level-usually about 200 degrees F.
Comments: This an important safety feature on your water heater. Without this outlet, the tank can actually explode. Manufacturers recommend that you test the valve every few months. Place a bucket under its discharge pipe and pull the valve lever. Water should flow freely. If the valve only drips or no water flows, replace it.

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   A valve that mixes hot and cold water to prevent scalding. Also called a mixing valve.

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   These two lamp holders are great when you can't make up your mind about permanent fixtures. The ceramic base, top , costs about $2 and mounts to any lighting box without an adapter. Pull-chain models are often used in basements, shops and garages.
   The pigtail light, bottom , attaches with two wire connectors to stripped wires in an uncovered wiring box. Though not a legal lighting fixture, they're a good way to get light temporarily while remodeling continues. It hangs free of the ceiling, so you can finish and paint drywall right around it.

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   A flat metal bar you weave through each end of the chain link fabric and connect to the terminal post with wire ties. The bar spreads the tension across the full width of the chain link fabric when pressure is applied with a come-along winch.

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   The point where a wire connects to a device like a switch or receptacle.

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   The end posts of a chain link fence. They're thicker than the line posts between them to help support the tension of the chain link fabric.

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   To test for spout drips, turn on the water supply and see if the spout leaks when the faucet is off. Fully open the hot and cold, then shut them off. Drips may be infrequent; place a cup below the faucet and check after a few minutes.
   To test for a leak from the faucet body, gradually turn the faucet fully on. Watch for rivulets of water. Wipe the faucet with a dry paper towel and check again. Hold a dry paper towel around the faucet and, after a minute, check for moisture.

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   A temperature-activated safety device used in gas appliances. Its bulb is clamped next to the pilot light so that the flame keeps it warm. If the pilot blows out, the thermocouple won't allow the control valve to open when you turn the gas on.
   When your pilot light won't stay lit, it's probably a thermocouple problem.
The Pros Say: Always take the old thermocouple to the store to be sure you get the right replacement.

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Other Names: Electrometallic Tubing.
Purpose: Exposed indoor wiring; light-duty outdoor wiring, above ground. Protecting exposed interior wiring.
Typical Applications: Garages, veranda lights. Feeding exterior lights and receptacles mounted on a building. Also used to run wires along the outside of a house when it's difficult to fish wires through finished walls to rooms.
What to Look for: Exterior use of EMT requires weather-tight compression fittings. Use set-screw type fittings, see photo , when you use EMT indoors.
Comments: Bending EMT is an art and it takes time to learn. Buy extra conduit so you can practice. Use flexible metal conduit for bends if the finished appearance doesn't matter.

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Purpose: Controls the same lights from two locations.
Typical Applications: Hallways, stairways, rooms with two doors.
Comments: This is a confusing term for a simple device. Three-way switches have three live terminals, but they only control lights from two locations. (Four-way switches have four terminals and control lights from three locations.) Power enters the first switch through its common terminal and exits to the other switch via the traveler terminals.

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   Modern power supplies from the power pole to your house use three large wires, two are hot and one is neutral.

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   Slice a wedge of mortar and scoop it up with your mason's trowel. Raise your arm toward your body, holding the mortar like a piece of pie on a spatula. Then rotate your hand to tip the trowel sideways to deposit the mortar. Draw the trowel back toward you to spread the mortar bed over two to three bricks at a time.

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   A decorative latch you open by pressing a short lever with your thumb.

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   A solid drain pipe leading to an exit point, usually the street.

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Purpose: Keeps light or fan on for up to an hour after you turn it on.
Typical Applications: Ventilation fans in bathrooms or hallways with only one switch.

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   The horizontal member at the top of wall framing. Usually a 2-by-4 or 2-by-6.

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   Sleeve connector that joins two pieces of pipe atop a chain link fence.

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   These flexible systems are made for both 120-volt AC and 12-volt DC. AC versions can put out more light, and generally start in a lower price range. DC systems are easier to wire since you can route their thinner wires on exposed surfaces. Parts are rarely interchangeable between brands.

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   A transformer increases or decreases voltage. Television sets, PC monitors, fluorescent lamps and other appliances have transformers that increase 120-volt current to as high as several thousand volts. Most household transformers reduce 120-volt current to 30 volts or less.

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   The flat part of a step.

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   A gas-driven power tool that digs soil trenches.

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   Special finish screws with narrow heads that self-countersink. Many manufacturers make drywall screws with square drive (Robertson) heads.

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   An abrasive circular saw used to cut brick and concrete block. The tub contains water used to cool the diamond blade and control dust.

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Purpose: Bending copper or brass supply tubing without kinking.
Comments: The lever-type tubing bender has a built-in protractor to help you make neat, accurate bends. The spring type, inset, costs only a few dollars. It prevents most kinking. To slip the spring over a tube, the tubing must be free of fittings at one end.

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Purpose: Cutting copper pipe.
Comments: Available in different sizes, the cutters shown all work the same way. Turn the screw, and a cutting wheel presses against the pipe. Rotate the tool around the pipe and keep advancing the cutter, and soon you'll have a clean, 90-degree cut ready for de-burring and assembly.
The Pros Say: The close-quarters tubing cutter, lower left, is often the only way to cut existing pipes in tight spaces when you remodel or repair. Be sure to look for one that can cut pipe to 3/4-inch diameter. Some can't open that far.

Related Topic:
Cutting Copper Pipe

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   Standard light bulbs use tungsten filaments to produce light. Unfortunately, about 90 percent of the energy consumed goes to creating heat instead.

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   A threaded metal hardware fixture with opposing threads on either end to receive eye bolts. Rotating the turnbuckle in one direction draws both eye bolts tighter. Rotating the turnbuckle in the other direction loosens the bolts.

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   Not a new rock group or a kinky avocation, this is simply the right kind of wire to run for phones, modems and computer networks in your home. Twisted pair wiring ensures data integrity by eliminating interference in the line.
   Signals are conveyed by the difference between the voltage on the two wires. If an external electrical field acts on twisted wires, it tends to affect both wires equally, resulting in no change to the signal. Twisting the wires together helps ensure that a field will act on both wires equally.

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   Two wiring devices mounted in a double box are called double- or two-gang. The box may also be called a two-gang box.

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   Underground feeder cable. Non-metallic cable approved for burial.

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   A number of private, non-profit institutions safety-test appliances and all sorts of electrical components. In the U.S., Underwriters' Laboratory (UL) is the best-known. Use only products listed by UL or a lab specified by your community's code. If you don't, you will almost certainly violate the code. In Canada, look for the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label on electrical equipment.

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   All paints fade with age and exposure to sunlight. Low-quality paints are more prone to uneven fading. Dark colors fade more than light ones, and exterior latex paints generally retain their color better than oil-based paints.
   Solution: Repaint with a high-quality paint. Choose lighter colors on horizontal surfaces like window sills. These surfaces receive the most intense sun.

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Typical Applications: Use only to replace an existing ungrounded receptacle.

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Purpose: To tap into an existing threaded run or create a removable joint in the middle of a run.
    Clockwise from top:
   Black iron for gas lines.
   Copper slip to brass thread.
   Left-right iron nipple. The only way to tap into a gas pipe in a wall or underground. Sold as a set each has reverse threads on one end.
   Dielectric union. Prevents galvanic corrosion between steel and copper pipe.

Related Topic:
Working with Unions

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   United States Department of Agriculture

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Utility Cover    Other Names: Blank Cover. Used to cover boxes that are no longer in use. This one bolts to the device's mounting yokes. (Press "Back" button to return to previous page)

   A versatile cutting tool with a replaceable, razor-like blade that slides in and out of a contoured handle. Less expensive utility knives have fixed blades.

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   Underground utilities include water and gas pipes, electrical conduits, telephone and TV cables, and septic systems, including leach lines and cleanouts. If you don't know where these are, call your utility companies or a local plumber.

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   The threaded assembly that controls the flow of water in a stem faucet or valve.

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Other Names: Reseating Tool.
Purpose: Smoothes valve seats for a better seal.
Comments: You can turn this grindstone with its crank or in a drill.
Related Topic:
Leaky Faucets: Stem

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Purpose: To remove and replace worn brass valve seats.
Comments: Don't bother replacing valve seats until you try replacing the seat washer.
Related Topic:
Leaky Faucets: Stem

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   A layer of vapor-impermeable paint on interior walls or plastic sheeting (placed behind drywall during construction) that prevents water vapor migration through walls.

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Purpose: Boring holes for cable and starter holes for box cutouts in baseboard and panelling. Use a VSR drill as a power screwdriver if you don't have a cordless driver/drill.
What to Look for: Just about any drill with a 3/8-inch chuck has enough power to drill 3/4-inch holes for cable. You'll want the reversing feature to back out auger bits and screws. Variable speed triggers allow you to start screws slowly. Keyless chucks are a real time saver.
Comments: A drill is a must for most home improvement and repair projects.

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   A gas-powered soil compaction tool with a steel plate that you guide as you would a lawn mower. Use it to tamp down soil or gravel. To vibrate dry sand or mortar between bricks, be sure to rent one with a plywood or rubber liner below the steel plate. Otherwise, the plate will chip the brick edges.

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   Use this to compact fill soil in trenches and before masonry work. Powered by a gasoline engine, it literally jumps along, so you only have to guide it as it goes. Its small rectangular shoe makes it ideal for tight places like trenches. It's too heavy for one person to lift alone, so be sure to have a wheelbarrow handy to move it to the work site.

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Other Names: Multimeter.
Purpose: Testing for continuity and measuring AC/DC voltage and resistance.
When to Use: Troubleshooting doorbells, phones and appliances; testing fuses and batteries.

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Purpose: Checking 120- and 240-volt circuits for current.
When to Use: Always test every outlet before you begin work on an existing circuit.
Comments: This $2 tester can save your life. Make it the next electrical tool you purchase.

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   The standard measure of voltage, or electrical pressure.
Amps x volts = watts.

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Wallpaper Paste

     Vinyl pastes are far superior to the older wheat pastes. Vinyl is stronger and doesn't provide food for mildew behind the paper. The program assumes that each gallon of adhesive covers 250 square feet of wall. This is about right for 7 rolls of American wallpaper.

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    Grasses, such as Bermuda grass, that thrive in hot summers and go dormant and brown in winter. They grow best in hot climates.

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   As you might expect, Warm White lamps have a warmer color temperature than Cool White lamps: 3,000 degrees. But they aren't any better at rendering colors.

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   Warm White Deluxe lamps have a color temperature of 3,000 degrees and a CRI of 85+ that comes close to the CRI for incandescent lighting. WWX tubes emit fewer lumens per watt than cool white versions, but they are still more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.

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Purpose: Replacements for stem faucets.
Comment: Faucet washers come in a bewildering array: black, brown, blue, flat, domed-and more. Always take the old washers-or better yet, the entire valve-stem assembly-to the store when you shop for replacements.
Related Topic:
    Leaky Faucets: Stem

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   Wash brushes with warm soapy water immediately after use. Some water-reducible paints have resins that require a second cleaning with solvent.

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   Use these glues where the adhering parts get wet or get exposed to weather.

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   Commonly referred to as "latex," these paints are thinned with water and cleanup with water. Also called "water-base" or "waterborne" finishes.

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   The amount of power a bulb or appliance consumes.
   Amps x volts = watts.

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Other Names: Donut
Purpose: To seal the outlet at the bottom of a toilet to the closet bend in the floor.
Comments: Whenever you replace a toilet, be sure to replace the wax ring. If you've raised the floor level-with a new tile floor, for instance-you may need a ring that's thicker than the original.

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   A metal hood that mounts high on the outside of your house and protects incoming cables from moisture.

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Purpose: To protect exterior receptacles from rain.
Comments: The traditional model, right, only protects the receptacle when the cover is shut. A newer version, termed "waterproof-while-in-use", left, fits over an extension cord, protecting the plug against the weather. These must be used for outdoor equipment like transformers and sprinkler timers that are left plugged in all the time.

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Purpose: Protects exterior switches from rain.
Comments: You'll need to get a specially made switch to fit behind this cover. The switch and cover are often sold as a kit, along with a rain-tight gasket.

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   Whole-house systems offer ultra home automation. They link your home's systems to a touch pad controller into which you can program just about any sequence of events, like the ones just described.
   The key to full home automation is an integrated wiring system that supplies AC power plus telephone, audio/video and high-speed data signals to every electrical outlet. This replaces the usual tangle of separate wires for telephone, cable television, intercoms, thermostats, security sensors and audio/video equipment. The integrated outlets can power anything from phones to power tools and are accessible by push-button phone, remote control, video screen or voice.
   Whole-house systems are only practical when you can wire them into a new home while the framing is still open. The wiring alone adds about $3,000 to the construction cost of a 2,500-square-foot home. Upgrading to full home automation typically adds another $10,000-$15,000. You could spend more than $50,000 to get all the bells and whistles.

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Other Names: Wire Nuts.
Purpose: Splicing no more than five conductors.
Typical Applications: Connecting ground wires, or splicing hot wires or neutral wires inside a wiring box. DO NOT use wire nuts to splice wires outside of boxes.
What to Look for: There are five standard color-coded sizes. Here are the maximum number of wires each can join, from smallest to largest:
   Orange:    one solid, one stranded wire
   Yellow:    three 12-g. wires
   Red:            five 12-g. wires
   Gray:        four 10-g. wires.
   Blue:        two 6-g. and two 8-g. wires.
Comments: Wires need not be tightly wound together prior to splicing.

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   The thickness of a wire, usually indicated on its insulation. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the wire. Most household wiring is 12-gauge, though 14-gauge is permitted for lighting circuits in many localities.

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   Lubricant used to reduce friction on wires pulled through conduit. Wipe lubricant onto the wires, a few feet at a time, as you feed them into the conduit.

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   Letters on the insulation of a cable or wire tell what you can use it for.
Type NM (non-metallic) cable is for dry locations.
Type NMC (non-metallic corrosive) cable can be used in damp indoor locations and for outdoor wiring that is above ground.
Type UF (underground feeder) cable can be buried.
   Wires inside armored cable or conduit are either Type T (thermoplastic), Type TW (thermoplastic, weather-resistant) or Type THW (thermoplastic heat and weather-resistant). THHN (thermoplastic high-heat resistant with a nylon jacket) is the most common type and will serve for most home circuits.

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   For about $35 you can buy a button that mounts next to a door and a bell that plugs into any 120-volt receptacle. A battery in the button powers a tiny transmitter that sends a radio signal to the bell. With another type, the bell is battery-powered as well, so you can take it out to the patio, for example, when expecting guests.

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   Commonly called rot, this decay is caused by a variety of fungi that require oxygen, dampness, moderate temperatures and dim light to flourish.

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   Used for the initial finishing of concrete to smooth down high spots and fill hollows left after screeding.

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   A fitting, usually for drains, that joins three pipes obliquely. Also spelled as Y.

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   A single vertical course of stone, brick or concrete block.

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