General (Home Improvement & Appliances)

Published 10-26-2009

<p>A hands-on, step-by-step guide to properly maintaining your home</p> <p>Your home requires regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently. The expert advice in this second edition of <i>Home Maintenance For Dummies</i> can help you save literally thousands of dollars each year by showing you how to perform home maintenance yourself!</p> <p>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.</p> <ul> <li>Shows how to keep your home in tip-top shape, preserve its value, and avoid costly repairs</li> <li>Covers all rooms of the house, in addition to the roof, foundation, and exterior</li> <li>Explains how to keep all home systems and major appliances running smoothly</li> <li>Includes a seasonal maintenance schedule</li> <li>Provides the latest green maintenance options to help lower your utility bills</li> </ul> <p>James Carey and Morris Carey have a radio show, a newspaper column, and a Web site, all called <i>On the House,</i> and appear regularly on <i>CBS News Saturday Morning.</i> They are also the authors of <i>Home Remodeling For Dummies</i></p> <p>If you've always wanted to tackle home repairs like a pro, <i>Home Maintenance For Dummies, 2nd Edition</i> is your ideal resource!</p>

Published 04-29-2005

<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <p><b>If I had a hammer:&nbsp;The fun and easy way&nbsp;for&nbsp;do-it-yourselfers&nbsp;to&nbsp;repair&nbsp;home appliances and&nbsp;furniture&nbsp;</b></p> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr;"> <p>For anyone who's ever been frustrated by&nbsp;a&nbsp;repair shop rip-off&nbsp;or just wanted to join thousands of others in the DIY craze,&nbsp;How to Fix Everything&nbsp;For&nbsp;Dummies&nbsp;is a no-nonsense&nbsp;guide showing you&nbsp;how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of&nbsp;furniture (with&nbsp;wobbly&nbsp;legs, for example) and&nbsp;household appliances&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;vacuum cleaners,&nbsp;refrigerators,&nbsp;washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals,&nbsp;toasters,&nbsp;blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers&nbsp;and printers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr;"> <p>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&nbsp;Do-It-Yourself&nbsp;(DIY)&nbsp;home&nbsp;projects.&nbsp;This hands-on, DIY manual shows&nbsp;you&nbsp;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.&nbsp;How to Fix Everything&nbsp;For&nbsp;Dummies&nbsp;is&nbsp;for you if you&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; position: relative;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; font-family: verdana;"> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Are a&nbsp;homeowner&nbsp;or an&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;dweller&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Want to fix&nbsp;things around the house but aren&rsquo;t sure&nbsp;where to start&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Have some experience but need guidance on tackling more&nbsp;and larger&nbsp;repairs&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; position: relative;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; font-family: verdana;"> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>May be&nbsp;frustrated about throwing things away because you don&rsquo;t know where&nbsp;to go to repair them&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Don&rsquo;t want to&nbsp;pay for&nbsp;service calls when&nbsp;the problem is&nbsp;minor&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr;"> <p>Featuring clear, concise directions,&nbsp;How to Fix Everything&nbsp;For&nbsp;Dummies&nbsp;also covers&nbsp;the&nbsp;proper tools and materials to get the job done correctly without breaking the bank&nbsp;and important&nbsp;safety&nbsp;measures to take so you don&rsquo;t hurt yourself.&nbsp;You&rsquo;ll learn how to&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; position: relative;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; font-family: verdana;"> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Fix creaky stairs&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Patch basement floors&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; position: relative;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; font-family: verdana;"> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Restore damaged carpets&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Correct drywall and repair plaster walls&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Fix door and cabinet hardware problems&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Rewire fixtures&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Get doorbells to work&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; position: relative;"> <ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; font-family: verdana;"> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Fix&nbsp;garage door openers&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Unclog drains and fix leaky pipes&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Mend wooden fences and decks&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>Repair minor cracks in the concrete driveway or pool&nbsp;</p> </li> <li style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; display: block; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, Calibri_MSFontService, sans-serif; vertical-align: baseline;"> <p>And a whole lot more&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; -webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; overflow: visible; cursor: text; clear: both; position: relative; direction: ltr; font-family: 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe UI Web', Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <p>Additionally, this friendly guide is&nbsp;written in plain English&nbsp;and includes a list of&nbsp;home&nbsp;repairs you should&nbsp;not&nbsp;take on yourself but should&nbsp;leave for the professionals&nbsp;and tips on how to hire one.&nbsp;Grab your copy of&nbsp;How to Fix Everything&nbsp;For&nbsp;Dummies,&nbsp;grab your screwdriver and wrench, and get to work!&nbsp;</p> </div>