The indispensable reference guide for every homeowner, guaranteed to help you maintain and improve your home while saving time and money. Covering everything from replacing faulty faucets and showerheads to curing the quirks of an air conditioner, this book provides step-by-step illustrated instructions, plus a comprehensive chapter on tools. Includes more than 3,000 instructional photographs, illustrations, charts, and diagrams. Let New Fix-It-Yourself Manual guide you through: * Fixing a broken dryer by testing the thermostat, thermal fuse, heating coils, etc. * Troubleshooting electric and gas range problems and fixing them * Reupholstering and reweaving chair seats * Stocking up on the proper tools and supplies for fixing electronics * Installing, testing, and repairing speakers, including maintaining proper polarity * Repairing broken handbags and suitcases properly and professionally * Fixing small engines in yard and workshop tools * Restoring broken air conditioners, heaters, and dehumidifiers * Safely disassembling, testing, and repairing a chain saw REVIEW AUTHORBIO

This homeowner's essential shares how to repair

clean

and maintain everything in and around the house.

Average Customer Review: ( 68 customer reviews )
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Just this weekend alone I fixed my ice maker and my garbage disposal using the book as a guide.

The pictures are great, and the language is easy to understand. I'd recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a great fix-it book.

107 of 112 found the following review helpful:

Not as good as the do-it-yourself bookApr 08, 2005
By Enhydra Lutris
First off, I do want to say that this is not a negative review - I think the book is okay, but fairly limited. A far better book is the do-it-yourself book (by the same author). My reasons for recommending this book are based on the number of times I have found useful information when needed. I often pulled the fix-it-yourself book off the bookshelf without being helped, while the do-it-yourself book frequently gave me what I needed to know. I very rarely pull the fix-it-yourself book out anymore.

Note - there is a new edition of the do-it-yourself book out, and amazon will not pull it up first. The new edition is even cheaper.

49 of 51 found the following review helpful:

The ultimate housewarming gift for the first-time homeownerMay 06, 2003
By Karin Welss
This book is the best housewarming gift I ever received!

Your furnace blowing nothing but cold air? This book will show you how to safely relight your pilot light. KitchenAid mixer gone on the fritz? Inkjet printer no longer drawing paper from the paper cassette? Dishwasher broker?

A troubleshooting chart and gorgeous, clear diagrams will explain not only how to fix almost any household problem, but also gives the level of technical skill required to finish the job, as well any special tools required to do so.

Kudos to the folks at Reader's Digest for producing such an excellent book. This volume is now my standard housewarming gift to all my friends.

42 of 43 found the following review helpful:

A must-have for do-it-yourselfers!Feb 13, 2000
By Lynn DeBolt
When an appliance breaks down, it can be tough to scrape up the money to repair it. As a single income family, saving money is the name of the game! This book allows you to troubleshoot the most common problems, and most of the time fix it yourself! It's got other great tips and tricks as well, but I got it mainly for the help on our major appliances! Books on home repair are a dime a dozen, but a book like this pays for itself in just ONE use! A must have on MY bookshelf!

31 of 31 found the following review helpful:

Don't be home without itJun 11, 2006
By Joanna Daneman
I am glad to see Reader's Digest has updated this essential book. I always, ALWAYS have a copy of this on my bookshelf.

There is information on care of water heaters, replacing this and that broken item, how to care for your furnace, what is seriously in need of repair, and how to do a lot of little jobs.

Most importantly, there is a lot about maintenance, which is most of the battle. House ownership is a never-ending stream of small jobs that need doing (the Honey-Do jar or in our house, the Honey-Won't jar.) It may seem niggling, but small maintenance tasks add up to a big saving when selling a house. My parents were extremely vigilant in how they maintained our childhood home and today, 40 years later, we had a chance to visit that house. It still looks wonderful because during the many years we lived in it and afterward, the owners took a lot of care. My dad gave me a copy of this book long ago and I keep an up-to-date copy on the shelf, ready to hand. My dad taught me to spend a portion of the weekend doing repair and cleaning and it always has paid off for me. I would recommend this book as a gift to any newlyweds, new home owners or anyone for Father's Day, Mother's Day or a birthday. This guide is lavishly illustrated and well-written. Don't be home without it.

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