Entries Tagged 'Book Review' ↓
September 12th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
Regular maintenance is vital for any homeowner, especially if you want to reduce your chances for having a major problem down the road. But for first time homeowners, or even homeowners that have been down the road before, it’s tough to know when to schedule all of those little maintenance tasks. This book, The Home Repair Almanac is essential for any homeowner, and provides an incredible amount of advice to keep your home running smoothly.
The book breaks down all of the information into seasons, so that you can start with whatever season you’re currently in. Even though it’s not really intended to be read as a regular book, we still found it fascinating and engaging. The author has a true talent for description when it comes to handling different tasks and they did a spectacular job of conveying the tasks to be done without going over someone’s head.
Each season begins with an inspection and the book includes a handy checklist to make it easier. You’ll be going through everything in your house, but it really doesn’t take that much time to complete the inspection. As you go, you need to fill out that checklist since you’ll be relying on it later to see if anything needs to be fixed.
Everything is covered, from making sure your chainsaw is running properly to handling common summer pests. This really is a comprehensive guide to managing your home as well as learning how to fix minor problems. While some tasks may require the help of a professional, depending on the state of your property, most of them can easily be completed, even by those that have minimal fix-it experience.
A helpful glossary is included in the back in case you don’t understand any of the terms. There are also many different diagrams that illustrate important points and tasks. We really appreciated that the book was dedicated to homeowner safety and pointed out some dangerous tasks and what you need to have on hand to protect yourself. Overall, it would be hard to find all of these resources on your own, and it was incredible to find everything packaged together in one book.
If you buy only one home repair book in your lifetime, it should be this one. It’s hard to find another title that offers this much common sense advice, coupled with a schedule that is easy to keep when it comes to maintaining your home. We highly recommend this book to any homeowner and especially to those that are just starting out on their journey of buying and maintaining their first home. There is also some great advice in here for landlords and tenants, especially if you end up responsible for repairs, or just want to keep the place looking and running well. We can’t think of a better housewarming present for someone, or a gift for anyone that owns a home and wants some help keeping it nice.
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September 5th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
Ever sat up half the night worried about what the heck was making that noise? Need quick help in figuring out what is wrong with your home? This book from Ortho isn’t the newest one on the market, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, if you have only one home improvement book in your library, this may be the one to buy.
The first section covers home safety and features some life saving tips on fires, and emergencies that can crop up in the home. The section on diagnosing odors is vital for anyone to read. Next up, the book moves into fixing common interior problems. Everything from the ceiling down to the floor is covered, and covered well. The authors excel at giving advice that is easy to understand and implement. This is an area where a lot of DIY books fall down and we were very pleased that they did such a good job with this.
Windows and Doors are next, followed by common exterior problems. Virtually anything that could go wrong with either topic is covered. We really enjoyed the section on plumbing problems since this is an area that costs home owners a fortune. For example, you’ll learn the difference between what causes a leaking sink and a running sink – as well as how to fix either one. Since plumbers are so expensive, this section is absolutely vital.
Solving electrical problems was a fascinating chapter and covered once again, life saving tips. While we don’t recommend that anyone without experience fix their home’s electrical system, this chapter will help you figure out what is wrong and help you locate someone that can get it fixed for you.
Last but not least, the section on mechanical problems was incredible. From fixing your stove, to handling strange refrigerator noises and balancing your washing machine, you’ll get plenty of tips on how to do it all. Heating and cooling systems are also covered in this chapter, as well as some great tips on home humidifiers. At the end, you’ll find a very helpful glossary of all the terms discussed in the book.
Overall, we are huge fans of this book. It is truly essential reading, even if you don’t have anything wrong with your home – yet. Chances are, over time, something is going to go wrong. With this book, you’ll have everything you need to know to fix it yourself and save money. We can’t say enough nice things about this book and highly recommend it to anyone interested in home repair and especially to new homeowners that are just getting started.
The project tips and diagnostic advice make the book more than worth the cover price. This is the perfect housewarming gift, and chances are, you’ll end up buying it for more than just one person. It’s really that good and one of the best home improvement books we have ever seen. Highly recommended!
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August 29th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
If you’re thinking about buying an old house to restore, stop right now and buy this book. It is the absolute epitome of what you should not do, and it may even make you change your mind. Anyone interested in home improvement horror stories will love this book, and there is some very good information that you can take away with you.
The subtitle of the book, Down to the Studs in My House, My Marriage, My Entire Life, really says it all. The author details the process of buying and attempting to fix up an old house and what it did to basically his entire life. Few people realize the type of commitment they are getting into when buying an older home, and get caught up in the emotional side of renovation. This book is a much needed bucket of cold water that may snap you back to reality.
The book is very humorous and easy to read, but at times, you may want to cry instead of laugh. He pulled no punches when it came to describing the various projects he had to undertake, their cost and their emotional toll on his family. At times, you just want to cringe and never think about picking up a hammer again. The author had already written a book, How to Avoid Marriage, and this plays heavily into the entire experience that he goes through.
In the middle of their renovations, he loses his job and that is when things really go bad. You’ll be able to learn a lot about not only fixing up a house but how to manage finances so that it won’t force you into bankruptcy. While this book does not contain any actual blueprints or project advice, it does contain incredibly valuable lessons for anyone interested in home improvement.
Given that there is a phenomenon right now of DIY’ers that cannot seem to stop renovations and projects, this book is very necessary. The prevalence of fix-it-yourself shows has led many to get in over their heads and overestimate their abilities when it comes to home improvement. By reading this book, you may be able to save a lot of time, money and heartache.
We highly recommend this book, especially to those that are completely new to home improvement projects. While we don’t want to discourage anyone from taking on the chore of fixing up their house, it is important to make sure that you are prepared for what is ahead. It is entirely possible to do a lot of damage to your home in an attempt to “fix” it, and if you’re not financially prepared to handle the consequences, it can be disastrous, as this book illustrates very well.
Overall, this is an engaging read and the book is well worth the money and the time spent reading it. Anyone who has ever tried to fix up an old house will appreciate the trials and tribulations of this couple on their journey.
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August 22nd, 2008 — Book Review
If you’ve always wanted to be able to handle the various plumbing projects that pop up around your house, this is a book that is a definite must have. Plumbers can be expensive, and in an emergency, they may not be easy to reach. Once you’ve read this book, you can feel confident that you’ll be able to handle anything your plumbing tries to throw at you.
We really appreciated the fact that the book only covers techniques that are code compliant. If you are fixing up your own house to sell, it is vital that you can pass a home inspection. When you’re using this book as your guide, you won’t have to worry that you are using techniques or materials that may not be acceptable. If you follow the advice to the letter and use the recommended products, you won’t have any problem facing any inspection. Even if you’re not going to sell your home, you still need to use code as your guide to doing things the right way and this book will help you get there.
Anything that has anything to do with plumbing is covered in these 288 pages. There are numerous illustrations that will show you how to do everything from changing out a simple washer to complex and emergency repairs. The advice is concise, easy to follow and we really appreciated how detailed the illustrations were. They are very high quality and easy to read, something that many publishers fail to produce in books of this type.
The first chapter covers the absolute basics of plumbing and it’s a great place to start. Next, you’ll be moving up to handling plumbing for renovations or new builds, and from there, you’ll be going on to working with drains, vents and pipes. We have never seen such as exhaustive and complete guide to plumbing outside of a real plumbing school. You’ll go from being an apprentice to a master as you follow the instructions contained in this book. Even septic systems and lawn sprinklers are covered, which was surprising.
For anyone that wants to save money on home repairs, or just wants the satisfaction of being able to do these things on their own, this is the perfect book.
Overall, while it might be a bit odd to enjoy a book on plumbing, we couldn’t help ourselves. It is a rare thing to find a resource that is this complete and informative. If you are ready to start tackling the plumbing issues in your home, or if you just don’t want to go to the expense of hiring a plumber, this book is a virtual bible of quality information. It’s also a great gift for that handy person in your life, and they’ll appreciate the new project plans and information contained herein. This is definitely a good buy and one that will pay you back for many years to come. We highly and wholeheartedly recommend it!
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August 15th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man, Landscape, Outside, Yard
If you want to increase the value of your home, one of the best ways to go about it is to have your home professional landscaped. However, this is pretty costly and many homeowners, especially those with green thumbs, like the satisfaction of being able to do it on their own. Before you even pick up a shovel however there are a few things that you will need to know. These tips can greatly increase the odds of having a professional result, even if you’re the only one doing the work.
Better Homes and Gardens has long been known as the leader in landscaping and millions buy the magazine every month just to see the new designs and ideas. When they came out with this book, it provided homeowners with a fantastic resource that really gives them exactly what they need to get started and be pleased with the results when they’re finished. If you want to do anything to your yard, we highly recommend reading this book first.
With more than 400 pages packed with projects, this book will definitely keep you busy in your yard all season long. There are numerous illustrations that are incredibly useful for identifying plants and getting an idea of how your yard will look when it’s done. By far our favorite part of the book were the actual landscaping plans that were included. If you’ve been wanting to do something with your yard, but you’re not sure what exactly you want to do, you can simply use one of these plans.
The book also does a good job of holding your hand through the entire process of picking the right plants and trees, knowing how to plant each one and more importantly, how to care for them after you’re done with your design. You’ll definitely want to take your copy along to the nursery, it’s just that good. We highly recommend reading this book in the winter, when it’s all gray and cold and spring seems eons away. This will give you that jumpstart you need, and you can start planning during these months for a spectacular spring yard, complete with water features and much more.
Overall, this was a great read that provided thousands of landscaping tips. The illustrations were incredible and all the projects were well laid out and easy to understand. We absolutely loved the book and highly recommend it to backyard gardeners or budding landscapers. It’s well worth the purchase price and chances are you’ll be turning to it again and again, every year. If you’ve got a friend that loves to garden, this is the perfect gift and will provide them with plenty of inspiration for new projects. It’s easy to see why Better Homes and Gardens has been on top for so many decades. If they keep putting out books like this one, they’ll be there for many decades to come.
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August 8th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
This is a do-it yourself guide written mainly for women, but anyone that is interested in home repair can get a lot out of it. If you have ever wanted to tackle any kind of DIY project in your house this book is the definitive guide that can help you get the job done. The writing style is very engaging and this is an incredibly quick read for a DIY book. We really appreciated the humor that was used throughout to make it fun. This is a great book for single moms or just about anyone that needs to be able to tackle projects of all sizes around their homes.
The book is divided into five main sections, Plumbing, Electrical, Major Appliances, Windows, Walls and Doors as well as Home Safety. Each section includes plenty of drawings and illustrations to make the projects easy to understand. The detail on the drawings is quite good, a problem that many DIY publishers cannot fix. We were happy to see that even the smallest details were easy to see in print. Definitely a job well done!
The last section details how to find a contractor if the job is too big or if you don’t feel comfortable taking it on yourself. This took away a little bit from the empowerment theme of the book, but in some cases, there are times when even the best DIY’er can’t do it on their own. The tips contained here will help you avoid getting taken for a ride by a contractor and we appreciated the useful hints on how to locate the right contractor for the job.
The resource section is worth the cost of the book alone and provided some great ways to find the products and tools mentioned in the book. You can use this as a virtual shopping list to help build up your home tool kit. We liked the way that the book described the different tools needed and their uses, especially for readers that may not be used to home repair jobs on their own.
Overall, this was a fantastic book that really breaks down common tasks and makes them easy to understand. The money that can be saved by tackling these projects is significant, and the section on major appliances was an interesting addition. Most DIY projects focus only on what you can build or fixing fixtures, so this was something that we found to be very unique to this book. If you’ve ever faced a loud refrigerator in the middle of the night and didn’t have the money to get it fixed professionally, this book will definitely come in handy.
The authors have gone on to write more DIY books for women and it is easy to see why they have built up such a dedicated audience. No matter what gender you are, the books are fun to read, informative and contain some really great tips to help you get the job done right.
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August 1st, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man
Have you ever dreamt about building your own home? This is a dream that thousands of Americans share, but the task itself can seem pretty daunting. Where do you begin and how on earth do you get the roof to stand up? George Nash answers all of these questions in his book, The Complete House Building Book. This is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about how homes are built or for those that may want to try to tackle this project on their own some day.
By keeping everything very simple and using incredibly detailed graphics, Nash literally walks the reader, step-by-step, through everything they will need to do to build their own home. Before we go any further, it is important to note that the book is geared towards those interested in building a frame home, as it does not cover other construction methods. You’re not going to find how-tos on fancy architectural elements here – just your standard home. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it is important to state the audience that this book is geared for.
All of that aside, this 704 page book has more than 1800 illustrations that clearly detail what you need to have and what you need to do to build a frame house. Although the pictures are in black and white, they are very well done and most are very clear. You will find a few that are in poor contrast, but that is most likely the fault of the publisher and not the author, so we really couldn’t find any fault in that.
Literally every aspect of building a home is covered here, from the initial stages of picking the right site, to making your own plan, to put the finishing touches on your landscaping, this is really the end all and be all of house building books. So many focus on only one area, but we were very happy to see that this was really a comprehensive guide.
This book is so useful that even carpenters take it along with them to job sites. You’ll learn how to frame out the house, build complex staircases as well as handling mistakes. We really appreciated the photos that detailed common errors as well as the advice on how to avoid those errors.
Overall, if you are looking to build your own frame house or if this is a dream you’d like to know more about, we highly recommend this book. It’s earned its place on the bookshelf of any builder or want-to-be builder and it is one that you will likely turn to again and again. We’ve got nothing but praise for this well written and informative book. Not only did it make it sound easy to build your own home, we found that it was very inspiring. People all over the United States have already put this book to good use, and we have to admit, we’re seriously considering building our own house now.
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July 25th, 2008 — Book Review, Project
When it comes to dealing with the authority on home improvement, you can’t much better than Better Homes and Gardens. For decades they have been helping and inspiring home owners throughout the world. Let’s see if their latest book is worth the money and if it can help you with those nagging projects you need to finish around your home.
This is a massive tome of nearly 1000 pages so you can tell right off the bat that you’re going to be dealing with quite a few projects and advice. More than 4,000 color illustrations are included in this book that weighs nearly 5 pounds and each one takes you step by step through the process of completing these project successfully.
We liked the fact that the book is written so that even a novice can open it and get to work feeling confident. While there are a few projects included that are more suited to DIY pros, most can be completed by anyone with a minimum of experience. You really don’t even need to be “handy” to complete most of these, so this moved the book up high in our estimation. Not everyone is a natural born fix-it person, and it is nice to see a book focus on making home improvements easy.
Practically anything you could ever do in your home is covered, from building a deck to enjoy the outdoors to fixing that incredibly annoying faucet. 200 step by step projects are provided and there is also a section on quick tips for common issues in your home. Each project lists what tools you are going to need and the techniques you need to use the get the job done. You can easily make a project shopping list with this information to make it easier to get exactly what you need before you get started.
The book was based on the magazine’s popular Step by Step column and they stay true to this format. Instead of having to wait every month for a new project however, you’ll get them all at once. We found that it was well suited for the weekend warrior that needs to know exactly what each project is going to take in terms of material and time. We can’t all rip apart our houses and spend weeks putting them together, so this feature was definitely appreciated.
Overall, if you are planning some home improvement projects or you would just like to know more about how to fix things in your home, this is a terrific book. It is a little pricey, but when you think about the sheer size and the work that went into putting this together, it is well worth it. We highly recommend this title and it would make a great gift for anyone on your list that is interested in home improvement, or for yourself! Chances are, you’ll want to jump in right away and start fixing up your home after you read it.
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July 18th, 2008 — Book Review, Handy Man, Maintain
The Carey brothers achieved great fame with their first Dummies title that focused on home renovation so hopes were pretty high with this latest book on how to maintain your home. This is an area that many people fail to understand how important it can be, which is why we decided to focus on this title first. No matter how much effort you put into renovating your home, if you don’t maintain it, there simply is no point.
The audience for the book is definitely beginners, or those that really don’t have a lot of time to familiarize themselves with a lot of DIY work. Weekend warriors might be a little disappointed in some of the tips, but overall, this is a great read. There are a few tips that everyone can use, regardless of their experience level and this is a book that deserves at least some space on your shelf.
We appreciated the fact that the book covered a lot of home maintenance ideas that are simply overlooked or never carried out. We all know that we need to keep our eaves clean, but how many of us know how to spot potential safety hazards in our home? This book covers pretty much everything you could ever need to do to keep your home running in tip top shape and chances are, if you follow this advice, you’ll find that you have a lot less repair and renovation work to do over the long term.
The section on how to prepare for freezing weather was particularly useful. It is all too easy to assume that everything is going to be alright, only to end knee deep in water. You’ll learn exactly how to winterize your home to make sure that this doesn’t happen. This one tip can save you hundreds in plumber fees and thousands in damages. They also cover some great winter tips for the rest of your house to make sure that the elements don’t over stress it.
The book takes you room by room, showing you what you need to look out for and how to take care of little problems before they become big problems. If you’re mystified by a lot of what goes on behind the scenes in your home, the systems section will make it completely easy to understand. This really is a perfect title for those that are getting into home ownership for the first time, especially if they are used to living in an apartment where all of this stuff is taken care of by the landlord.
The best part by far is the fact that the book includes calendars to help you schedule regular maintenance on your home. Everything from cleaning a fireplace to fixing cracks is covered and will end up saving you time and money on your home. We would have liked it if they had gone into gas fireplace tips as well, but overall, this is a terrific book that should be purchased by all homeowners.
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July 11th, 2008 — Book Review, Trim, carpentry
Taunton is a well known DIY publisher and their latest book, Trim Carpentry and Built-Ins is the perfect read for any DIY’er or owner of an older home. You’ll find just about everything you could ever want to know about trim - how to make it, how to take care of it and how to add more into your home. As the title suggests, built-ins are covered and there is some great advice in there for homeowners with Craftsman style interiors or even just a few built-ins.
Although the book is relatively small, don’t let its size fool you. There is a lot of information packed into its 166 pages. You’ll find plenty of diagrams and illustrations to make the projects easier and overall the visual presentation is very impressive. Too many DIY books don’t include enough of these, but chances are you won’t be disappointed with this one.
Each chapter in the book deals with a specific type of trim or built-in. You’ll start off however with project planning and this is an invaluable resource that will help any aspiring carpenter get their project laid out. You’ll be able to map out absolutely everything you’ll need to do and there are some great time saving tips in this section as well. The book even shows you how to draw your own designs and work from these plans, making it well worth the cover price.
Next, you’ll be moving on to the different types of materials that trim can be made of. This is an interesting discussion and you’ll learn a lot about the differences and which materials should be used for specific trim projects. If you’re entirely new to trim, this is a very helpful chapter. However, even seasoned pros can get something out of it.
Windows are also covered and this is a fantastic chapter if you are trying to restore an older home and want to be able to mimic the trim and keep that old feel even though you are using new materials. You’ll learn a lot about the process of designing, making and adding trim to your windows, both inside and out.
The chapters on baseboards and crown molding are also very useful and you’ll get some really great time saving tips that can be used on your next project. If you find this type of carpentry difficult, and many do, you’ll find out exactly what techniques you need to be using to pull off the job without a hitch. The section on wainscoting is incredibly useful if you are looking for a unique way to finish off a room and give its own unique character.
The next few sections deal exclusively with built-ins and you’ll learn not only which materials are best suited for certain projects, but also how to build a basic bookshelf that is much safer than a freestanding model as well as how to make your own cabinets. Overall, this is a book that is well worth the read.
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