The Best Home Repair Books for Beginners

Save money by making plumbing repairs and improvements yourself!Be your own plumber, save money, and add value to your homeOver 800 photos take you through each step-by-step processDetailed diagrams help you understand plumbing systems and apply how-to instructionsLearn plumbing skills, from fixing leaky faucets to soldering copper tubing like a proConserve resources with "Green Solutions" that go easy on the environmentInstall plumbing fixtures like sinks, faucets, bathtubs, showers, water softeners, lawns sprinklers, and moreLearn how your home's plumbing system works so you can take action in an emergency.

No need to hire a plumber, especially in emergencies when you need an immediate fix! This updated and expanded edition of Creative Homeowner's comprehensive plumbing how-to book covers the most up-to-date products and techniques. From working with water piping or plastic piping and making toilet repairs to installing sinks, clearing drainpipes, maintaining water heaters, and so much more, this complete home plumbing guide will teach you everything you need to know to handle any plumbing task yourself. Strong emphasis is placed in the how-to information on doing things correctly, so all the projects use only the latest code-compliant techniques. Ultimate Guide: Plumbing, Updated 5th Edition prepares the do-it-yourselfer to handle any plumbing task in the home, with expert guidance for both major and minor DIY plumbing repairs and improvements—from unclogging a drain, replacing a washer in a leaky faucet, and installing plumbing fixtures to soldering copper, working with PEX tubing, and renovating a bathroom. It also gives an overview of a house's plumbing system, including supply, waste, and vent piping, and explains the basic physics that keep everything working well, so you will be able to take decisive action in case of emergencies. The updated 5th edition includes relevant Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and International Code Council (ICC) changes of new provisions and requirements for the most current code-compliant techniques. In addition to understanding how plumbing systems work and learning how to plan and complete each project, you'll also find detailed how-to, exploded diagrams, and tips on how to spot and improve outdated or dangerous techniques and materials in your home plumbing system. Updated for complete 2021 code compliance, including a new section on air gap fittings, this is a must-have for every homeowner! Learn basic plumbing skills, add value to your home by making plumbing fixture improvements, and save money by completing repairs yourself, with the most trusted and sought-after manual available on the subject, Ultimate Guide: Plumbing! "An excellent and valuable resource for DIYers on plumbing with clear instructions, pictures, and drawings, to aid in tackling installation and repairs.". —Dave Yates, Master Plumber, Columnist for Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine and PM Engineer Magazine. "If you've ever been challenged by even the smallest home plumbing projects, this is the book for you. Detailed steps are provided for every type of project, from the smallest faucet repair to installing tubs and showers. Excellent photography shows the reader how to accomplish key plumbing procedures. A description of safety procedures helps you stay safe while brazing, using power tools, and working around electricity. Get this book and conquer your fear of plumbing!". —Terry McIver, Editor-in-Chief, Contracting Business magazine.

"Perfect for a DIY novice, the user-friendly book provides you with the basic DIY skills and guidance to get the job done." - Style Magazine. Start doing your own household repairs and simple renovations without the expense of calling in a professional!Complete beginner's reference guide to household repairs and simple renovationsLearn basic DIY skills and get expert guidance to get the job doneSimple presentation for the DIY novice and first-time homeownersAuthors Jo Behari & Alison Winfield-Chislett are experienced DIY experts.

If you are frustrated by your own inability to handle a repair, or resentful of having to pay someone to take care of simple home maintenance, you've come to the right place! Owning a home can be expensive. Throw maintenance costs into the mix and it's enough to feel buried by cost after cost. Data from Buildfax states that home repairs have increased by thirty percent in just five years! Most Americans are not prepared for or expecting these types of additional costs. Being prepared can help homeowners save money and ease your financial burdens. This practical handbook was created to solve this very dilemma. Full of expert advice, Beginner's Guide to DIY & Home Repair provides first-time homeowners and renters with the basic skills and guidance you need to get the job done. It features easy instructions for all the home DIY basics, from painting and wallpapering to simple plumbing, changing a lock, using power tools, fixing a squeaky board, and much more. The book was authored by an all-star home repair duo: Jo Behari is the founder of Home Jane?the UK's first all-female home improvement and property maintenance company. She was a presenter on the British public-service television series Make, Do and Mend, and is currently the DIY expert columnist for House Beautiful magazine. Co-author Alison Winfield-Chislett is the founder of The Goodlife Centre, an independent teaching workshop in London that provides courses in DIY, home maintenance, decorating, upholstery, woodwork and carpentry, furniture upcycling and restoration, and various traditional hand crafts. With a degree in ceramics and glass from the Royal College of Art, Alison worked as a staff designer for Tiffany and was a senior designer for Asprey, the iconic British luxury jeweler. "Houses can be a daunting issue to the uninitiated and when undertaking repairs, you need to be confident of your decisions," says Behari. "In this book, Alison and I will act as your DIY and home repair whisperers. You'll feel empowered to take on your next home project!". This ultimate reference guide for the DIY novice offers help for anyone who has a busy working life but still wants to make their home look good without spending a fortune!

The leading manual for home improvements is getting an update to address current codes, latest materials, tools and technology. The bestselling, most comprehensive guide to home improvements has been revised and updated once again since it's revision in 2005. Over 10 million copies of READER’S DIGEST COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL have been sold since it's original publication in 1973. In 2005, the manual got bigger and better than ever, when The Family Handyman and Reader’s Digest joined forces and completely revised, updated, rewrote, and redesigned this home improvement classic.

Now in 2014, The Family Handyman has once again updated and revised this do-it-yourself classic to make it relevant to today’s homeowners and DIYers.. Written in a style of text that addresses readers in a very accessible, conversational tone for easy, user-friendly assistance with every do-it-yourself task. All instructions and materials have been updated to address current codes (electrical, plumbing and building), and revised to indicate the very latest in materials, tools, and technology. Suitable for beginners and experts alike, this newly revised edition includes:. • Over 3,000 photos and illustrations to make complex projects and repairs easy to understand. • Twice as many storage projects that help home owners cut clutter. • New building materials that yield great-looking, long-lasting results—and low maintenance! • New technology that lets homeowners save energy, add convenience or improve security. • New building codes that make homes safer, more energy-efficient and trouble-free. The book’s tried-and-true instructions provide do-it-yourself solutions to a ton of problems that could cost a fortune if you had to hire a professional. This manual is a “must-have” reference guide for every home-owning man or woman.