How to Fix Everything For Dummies [Paperback]

Gary Hedstrom (Author), Peg Hedstrom (Author), Judy Ondrla Tremore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2005

The fun and easy way to repair anything and everything around the house
For anyone who's ever been frustrated by repair shop rip-offs, this guide shows how to troubleshoot and fix a wide range of household appliances-lamps, vacuum cleaners, washers, dryers, dishwashers, garbage disposals, blenders, radios, televisions, and even computers. 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 projects.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Tips on safety and the right tools and materials

Fix everything from A to Z without breaking the bank!

Want to tackle your own home repairs? This clear, hands-on guide shows you how to take on repairs yourself with plenty of step-by-step instructions. From working on walls, floors, and doors to conquering heating, electric, and plumbing repairs, you'll see how to fix what goes wrong in your home — and identify the projects the pros should handle.

Discover how to

• Patch your walls and floors
• Stop pipe and faucet leaks
• Repair your furniture
• Keep your appliances in top shape
• Work on your home's exterior

About the Author

Do-it-yourself experts Gary and Peg Hedstrom extensively remodeled six houses and built two from scratch, doing all the work themselves. A retired diesel mechanic, Gary describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades who’s happiest taking things apart to see how they’re built and putting them back together. He hates sitting still and willingly shares his knowledge with others so they can fix things themselves. Peg liked to get her hands “dirty,” as she puts it, fixing appliances and discarded televisions long before she met Gary. So she willingly tackled everything else once she and Gary started working on homes. Her favorite pastime, however, is restoring wood and old, damaged furniture, as well as doing the finishing touches in a home. Lifelong Michigan residents, the couple has homes in Grand Rapids and Florida.

Judy Ondrla Tremore, a veteran reporter and business writer, wrote two books and co-authored another before writing How to Fix Everything For Dummies. Her articles and stories have appeared in The Grand Rapids Press, Cadence (where she was managing editor), Legal Assistant Today, Grand Rapids Business Journal, Grand Rapids Magazine, Cosmopolitan Home, Our Children, Applause, and several other Michigan and Illinois publications. She was the Grand Rapids editor of Metropolitan Woman. Among her favorite articles were those pertaining to home improvement and design and restoration projects, because they dovetail with her deep interest in architecture and homes. She grew up in the Chicago area and has lived in Michigan for more than 30 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (April 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764572091
• ISBN-13: 978-0764572098
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.8 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Home Improvement & Design > How-to & Home Improvements > Electrical

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good reference August 4, 2008

By Kary Anne Melland

Format:Paperback

I bought this as a reference to help out since I am a new homeowner. So far any minor problems I have encountered have been covered by the material in the book. I would recommend it to anyone as a useful guide to keep on hand.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars tearing apart the kitchen February 6, 2010

By C. Motil

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

got my copy yesterday in perfect condition. have a problem with my fridge which this book tells me exactly how to remedy! MS KITCHEN GOODWRENCH HAS ARRIVED!!no extra repair person needed thank you. this book is a great gift idea for someone going on their own, getting married, or just tired of having to spend extra money where it's not necessary so thanks again.How to Fix Everything For Dummies

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful for lots of things June 5, 2010

By Jonathan VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is pretty much a required text for a homeowner. It covers most, if not all, of the minor problems that can crop up in a house, from small holes in drywall to creaky chairs to troubleshooting appliances that are on the fritz. It covers all the fixable problems with decent diagrams and easy-to-follow steps, and also tells you what you shouldn't tackle by yourself, whether that involves calling a repairman or buying a replacement.

A good companion to this is Home Maintenance For Dummies, which covers some of the more involved and costly jobs around the house. Armed with these two books, you can save a lot of money (I made the cost of both back with my first DIY fix) and keep your dwelling in tip-top shape.