A hands-on, step-by-step guide to properly maintaining your home Your home requires regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently. The expert advice in this second edition of Home Maintenance For Dummies can help you save literally thousands of dollars each year by showing you how to perform home maintenance yourself! This new edition provides the latest tips on how to tune up your home and make repairs to every room of the house, from basement to attic. By combining step-by-step instructions and expert information, this practical guide gives you the skills to tackle everything from furnace tune-ups to leaky roofs. You'll also learn how to conduct routine inspections, keep major appliances running efficiently, and increase energy efficiency. Shows how to keep your home in tip-top shape, preserve its value, and avoid costly repairs Covers all rooms of the house, in addition to the roof, foundation, and exterior Explains how to keep all home systems and major appliances running smoothly Includes a seasonal maintenance schedule Provides the latest green maintenance options to help lower your utility bills James Carey and Morris Carey have a radio show, a newspaper column, and a Web site, all called On the House, and appear regularly on CBS News Saturday Morning. They are also the authors of Home Remodeling For Dummies If you've always wanted to tackle home repairs like a pro, Home Maintenance For Dummies, 2nd Edition is your ideal resource!

Dust off your tool box and get ready to get ready to tackle simple home repairs and improvements with the idiot-proof instructions in this hands on-guide. Let Jeff Howell and a host of other experts guide you through the DIY maze. This fun and easy-to-understand book shows you how to do everything from refurbishing a kitchen to fixing a leaky tap – all without breaking the bank. DIY and Home Maintenance All-in-one covers: Planning Your Home Improvement Projects Basic Home Maintenance and Improvement Painting and Wallpapering Bathroom and Kitchen Refurbishing Carpentry, Woodworking, and Flooring Plumbing

If I had a hammer: The fun and easy way for do-it-yourselfers to repair home appliances and furniture For anyone who's ever been frustrated by a repair shop rip-off or just wanted to join thousands of others in the DIY craze, How to Fix Everything For Dummies is a no-nonsense guide showing you how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of furniture (with wobbly legs, for example) and household appliances -- vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, toasters, blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers and printers. Packed with step-by-step illustrations and easy-to-follow instructions, it's a must-have money-saver for the half of all homeowners who undertake Do-It-Yourself (DIY) home projects. This hands-on, DIY manual shows you not only how to fix faulty appliances but also tend to all those irritating repairs that cost more to have someone else fix than the item is worth. How to Fix Everything For Dummies is for you if you Are a homeowner or an apartment dweller Want to fix things around the house but aren't sure where to start Have some experience but need guidance on tackling more and larger repairs May be frustrated about throwing things away because you don’t know where to go to repair them Don't want to pay for service calls when the problem is minor Featuring clear, concise directions, How to Fix Everything For Dummies also covers the proper tools and materials to get the job done correctly without breaking the bank and important safety measures to take so you don’t hurt yourself. You’ll learn how to Fix creaky stairs Patch basement floors Restore damaged carpets Correct drywall and repair plaster walls Fix door and cabinet hardware problems Rewire fixtures Get doorbells to work Fix garage door openers Unclog drains and fix leaky pipes Mend wooden fences and decks Repair minor cracks in the concrete driveway or pool And a whole lot more Additionally, this friendly guide is written in plain English and includes a list of home repairs you should not take on yourself but should leave for the professionals and tips on how to hire one. Grab your copy of How to Fix Everything For Dummies, grab your screwdriver and wrench, and get to work!

Clean your homethe easy way! The best ways to clean today are different from what they were even a few years ago. It's not just that you have to know how to use new products and new equipment. The surfaces in your home and the fibers used to make clothes and furniture have improved. Plus, the time you have to clean has shrunk. Inside you'll find easy-to-follow information on stain removal and a room-by-room guide to cleaning up everything from counters to carpets. You'll cut down on expensive cleaning bills and still maintain your home. Open the book and find: The basics of having a clean house The right tools for the job Methods for busting dust Tips on cleaning floors and carpets Guidance on caring for your kitchen and bathroom Hints on doing your laundry

Put on your grubbies, get out your tools, and get ready to tackle home repairs and improvements with the goof-proof instructions in this guide that combines the best of nine For Dummies home improvement books in one comprehensive volume. Whether you’re an accomplished do-it-yourselfer or a novice, the easy-to-follow instructions, complete with photos and illustrations, will guide you through: Basic home maintenance and improvement projects from the foundation to the roof, including windows, doors, and electrical repairs and replacements Painting and wallpapering Bathroom and kitchen remodeling, including installing cabinets, countertops, fixtures, and appliances Carpentry, woodworking and flooring Plumbing, including unclogging fixtures and fixing leaky faucets Want to spruce up bedroom? Spiff up the kitchen? Shore up the porch? Build stairs? Replace creaky doors and drafty windows? Make the most of your space? Inside or out, major renovation or minor repair, the how-to is all right here. Think about it—if you do just one project yourself instead of calling a plumber, electrician, painter, handyman, or other service person, you’ve saved far more than the cost of this book! And you’ll have it on hand to guide you through the next project!

· Ultimate DIY resource shows readers everything they need to know about plumbing and electrical repairs, heating and cooling, roofing and siding, remodeling, and so much more · Offers plenty of direct DIY wisdom on how to make the most of a home · Includes more than 2,300 how-to photos and 800 drawings · New edition of this best-selling home improvement manual includes recent code updates and changes, plus information on USB outlets, AFCI/GFCI breakers, and tankless water heaters

The Family Handyman’s 100 Things Every Homeowner Must Know gives you the knowledge you need to be a better homeowner. You’ll make informed decisions, avoid frustrations and save thousands over the life of your home. The Family Handyman’s 100 Things Every Homeowner Must Know gives you the knowledge you need to be a better homeowner. You’ll make informed decisions, avoid frustrations and save thousands over the life of your home. Here’s just a small sample of what’s inside: The smartest thing you can do before going on vacation Push a button and save $100 Be ready for any natural disaster Make burglars bypass your house The most effective way to cut heating and cooling costs Clever shortcuts for home maintenance—indoors and out Keep mice, ants and other invaders out of your house Boost curb appeal without remodeling What to do when the power goes out The most common—and costly—homeowner mistakes Eliminate noises, odors and other household irritations Grow the best lawn on the block Secret weapons pros use for easy, instant repairs Make appliances last years longer The key to drip-free faucets Make your mower start right up—every time Cures for damp basements Exterminate mold and mildew Pick a paint color you’ll love Get faster downloads and better TV quality Stop peeling paint Plus, incredibly easy repairs for appliances, plumbing, flooring, walls, furniture and more!

Do you long to listen to your favorite CD from anywhere in your house? To set up a wireless network so you can access the Internet in any room? To install an iron-clad security system? To fire up the coffee pot while you’re still asleep and wake up with automated lighting? Smart home technology can help you do just that! Smart Homes For Dummies, Third Edition, shows you how easy it can be to create and live in a cutting-edge, fully connected home—without breaking your bank account. With this user-friendly guide, you’ll discover all the latest trends and gadgets in home networking, automation, and control that will help you make life more enjoyable and comfortable for your entire family. We help you plan for things such as flat-screen TVs, intercom systems, whole-home audio systems, gaming consoles, and satellite systems. We talk about your wiring (and wireless) options and introduce you to the latest technologies, such as VoIP and Bluetooth. You’ll see how to: Build your home network on a budget Turn your home into an entertainment center Access the Internet from any room Get VoIP on your phone network Boost in-home wireless and cell phone signals Connect your computer to your TV Secure your home and property Increase your home’s resale value Avoid common networking pitfalls And much, much more Complete with a resource list for more information and neat toys of the future, Smart Homes For Dummies is your plain-English, twenty-first century guide to a fully wired home!

The nuts and bolts of bike repair for bicycle commuters, serious cyclists, and casual riders Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies provides expert guidance and tips for bicyclists who are hitting the bike trail or just spinning around the neighborhood. If you have a little or a lot of experience in using tools on your bike, this book can show you how to keep your bike in top working order, from tires to handlebars, without all the technical jargon. If biking is already a part of your life — or you'd like it to be mdash; this book can help you tackle your own bike maintenance and repair, so you don't have to take it to the shop for routine tune-ups or call for help if you break down in the middle of nowhere. Of course, sometimes you'll need to seek expert help, so the book covers when to attack a problem yourself and when to call in the pros for backup. And although this book is written in easy-to-understand language without a lot of biking jargon, Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies is still a comprehensive guide. Seasoned bike riders looking for additional tips and tricks to keep their bikes in top condition won't be disappointed. This book will help you repair — and, if necessary, replace — the parts on your bicycle. You'll discover how to make basic bike repairs, such as: Removing a wheel, tire, or tube Patching a tube or fixing a tire Working on hubs and spokes Installing new brakes and pads or addressing other brake issues Adjusting your saddle Using suspension seat posts Dealing with common chain problems Inspecting, cleaning, and lubricating cassettes and freewheels After you nail the basics, you can dive into advanced repairs and maintenance, including: Knowing how a frame is built and inspecting one for problems Adjusting and maintaining a bike's suspension Removing, installing, and adjusting the rear and front derailleurs Removing and installing shifters Taping your handlebars Adjusting and overhauling your headset Get your copy of Bike Repair & Maintenance For Dummies to learn all of that, plus tips on staying safe, ensuring your bike is always a good fit for you, and improving your bike's performance.

This is NOT your father's home repair book! And it's not your husband's, your brother's, your boyfriend's, or the guy's next door. Dare to Repair is a do-it-herself book for every woman who would rather be self-reliant than rely on a super or contractor. No matter the depth of your pockets or the size of your home, a toilet will get clogged, a circuit breaker will trip, and a smoke detector will stop working. It's up to you how you'll deal with them -- live in denial, pay the piper, or get real and do it yourself. Dare to Repair demystifies these home repairs by providing information that other books leave out. In Dare to Repair, you'll learn how to: Take the plunge -- from fixing a leaky faucet to cleaning the gutters. Lighten up -- from removing a broken light bulb to installing a dimmer switch. Keep your cool -- from maintaining a refrigerator's gasket to changing the rotation of a ceiling fan. Get a handle on it -- from replacing a doorknob to repairing a broken window. Play it safe -- from planning a fire escape route to installing a smoke detector. Filled with detailed illustrations, Dare to Repair provides even the most repair-challenged woman with the ability to successfully fix things around the home. Once you start, you won't want to stop.