Home Magazine's How Your House Works (Paperback)

~ Don Vandervort (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vandervort, a columnist for Home magazine, takes readers on a clear and useful tour of what can be at once the most familiar and most alien of places?the home. Each chapter addresses a general "system" in the house and is subdivided into sections on specific parts of the system. The "Pipe Schemes" chapter, for example, includes sections on the inner workings of specific fixtures like hot-water heaters, toilets and sump pumps, as well as the path that natural gas takes through your home, from the gas meter to the stove. Despite its occasional gee-whiz tone, ("Now electricity zings through wires to power the many conveniences that make our lives comfortable"), the text is lucid. Illustrative line drawings are plentiful. While this general-use guide won't help if you need to know where the reverse-osmosis module in your water filter is, it is a fine basic reference book, of particular value to those considering major construction work. And, if you want to know what that thingamajig that holds the gutter to the fascia is called, Vandervort will keep you from sounding like an idiot at the hardware store. (It's either a clip hanger or a spike and ferrule hanger.)
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Even if you aren't a do-it-yourselfer, you may still need to know about the different systems that combine to make a house. It can be embarrassing and costly, for instance, to order materials or work with a contractor if you don't know the language. Vandervort, a contributor to many home-design magazines, breaks a house into its basic components (e.g., electrical and heating) and demonstrates how they work and interrelate with other house parts. He also discusses common architectural styles and home design and explains how to read plans and schematics. A section on basic tools, paints, lumber, and fasteners is included?a useful feature in a book for beginners. Highly recommended for public libraries.?Jonathan Hershey, Akron-Summit Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345409582
• ISBN-13: 978-0345409584
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,175,715 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must for novice homeowners!!, May 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: HOME Magazine's How Your House Works (Hardcover)

If like me you have no idea of how things work around the house, then this is a must! It explains clearly every area of the home from Plumbing to nail sizes with diagrams. The author explains each topic assuming you have no knowledge of the subject (which in my case was ideal). However the only drawback is that the author deosn't go into any details on any of the subjects nor does he show how to fix any of the errors which he sites. Nonetheless, it gives a great introduction on how a home functions.

4.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, December 17, 1998

By A Customer

This book explains all of the basic features of a house. It takes you through the electrical system, plumbing, ..., even architecture! Although the book doesn't explain how to fix things, it provides the novice with a basic understanding.