An updated edition of the best-selling DIY manual you can’t afford to be without, with expert know-how for success every time.

Whether you need to do a quick fix or a large DIY project, find out how to tackle any DIY task with confidence following this revised and updated step-by-step guide.

From fitting a shower cubicle to applying different painting techniques, the simple, clear, unintimidating instructions ensure even hard jobs are made easy, whatever your level of ability.

With step-by-step photographs of every technique and process, DIY breaks down every stage of every task, from choosing tools and essential safety guidance to advice for tackling big jobs and fixing common problems. Including the latest home features like boiling-water taps and smart security systems, up-to-date safety guidelines, and eco-conscious solutions from paint choices to solar panels, this is the tried-and-trusted guide that no homeowner should be without.

How to Weed Your Attic: Getting Rid of Junk without Destroying History provides answers to the question: when someone dies or it's time to move --- or just clean out the attic, garage, or basement, what papers and other things should we save for the sake of history and what can we safely toss? After reading this clearly written book by a retired archivist and a retired museum curator, you can comfortably clean out your attic - or office, garage, basement, cupboards - with confidence that you're not tossing out historically valuable (or invaluable) things, and that you will not ask your local museum to take things that really belong in a thrift store, junk yard, or recycle center. The book first describes how to identify historically important documents and artifacts. The authors explain a few simple rules: 1) a complete or long collection has more value than a partial one; 2) emotive material provides a richer picture than factual material; 3) unique usually has more value than mass produced; 4) documents and objects carry more information than they intend to; and 5) a 25-year rule exists without our consciously recognizing it. They then apply the rules and assess the probable historical value of four different types of materials: mass produced (from books to vehicles), individually created (from art work to toys), business materials (from governance documents to uniforms), and commemorative materials (from awards to wedding dresses). The book includes a brief description of the basics for preserving materials the reader wants to keep and references sources for more detail. It also recognizes that the reader may not want to keep stuff that clearly has historical value. For those readers, the authors describe how to donate materials to a cultural repository. In broad strokes, they explain how repositories differ, what the repository will want to know about the stuff you're offering, where an appraiser and/or tax advisor fits into the process, and what the reader can expect the repository to do and not do. Finally, the book addresses unexpected issues that may arise around questions of legal ownership and privacy. Throughout the book, the authors illustrate their points using photographs and vignettes.

What are the best ways to defeat rising damp, combat yellowing cotton and fix noisy water pipes? How often should you pick your herbs to keep them bushy and healthy? Full of invaluable and easy-to-follow advice for indoors and out, "The Home Book" has all the answers for you. "The Home Book" provides simple techniques for cleaning, maintaining and repairing your home. Save money using "The Home Book's" own recipes for dishwasher, window and toilet cleaners, and follow the invaluable stain removal tips - did you know you can get rid of lipstick stains with kerosene and use milk when removing ink on cotton? Other handy hints are great for the environment as well as your budget, such as replacing regular light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent ones, and running your fridge between 3 C and 5 C to reduce electricity costs. Tips on growing herbs, container gardening, making your own straw compost and tending a worm garden will guarantee you get the best out of your outdoor space, whether it's a garden, backyard or apartment balcony. Every home, no matter how big or small, will benefit from this book that is packed with clever ideas, practical information and helpful hints, "The Home Book" is an indispensible DIY manual. Key points: includes hundreds of projects for around the home and garden to keep it clean and functioning; all clever tips that you wish you had learnt from your grandparents; covers a broad range of household tips, from cleaning, stain removal and do-it-yourself repairs to basic vehicle maintenance; and, includes all the need-to-know information on how to grow a healthy and sustainable garden, both for houses and apartments; includes environmentally-aware green options.

'(Gaff Goddess) should be taught in schools. It's genuinely, hands-on empowering! After four paragraphs I am fully convinced I could build my own house and go on Grand Designs!' - Marian Keyes

Laura de Barra is quite simply a Gaff Goddess. Expanding on her popular online home hacks, Laura will teach you how to handle the problems we all encounter in our homes.

Straight-talking and hilarious and packed with Laura’s stunning illustrations, her step-by-step guides will prepare you to handle the most common household emergencies with style. From dripping taps to hanging a frame, how best to look after your white goods, how to treat moths, mould and everything in between, and with invaluable design ideas to improve the living spaces in your home, this book is for everyone who has ever wanted to tackle a bit of She-IY without really knowing how.

Ingenious and sure to be an instant household must-have, Gaff Goddess will empower you to make those repairs and rediscover your space saving you time, money and stress in the process.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER The Organised Mum Method is THE housekeeping bible that will completely revolutionise your home. Say goodbye to mess, clutter and weekends spent tidying and cleaning! Gemma Bray (a.k.a The Organised Mum) is a firm believer that there is more to life than housework, and over the last decade she has perfected The Organised Mum Method (TOMM).* The Organised Mum Method is a structured, manageable and ultra-efficient cleaning routine that ensures all areas of the home are taken care of. It's easy to follow, effective and ensures that everything gets done in just 30 minutes a day, Monday to Friday ... and you get weekends off! Perfect for existing fans of TOMM or anyone looking for ways to fit cleaning around a busy lifestyle, The Organised Mum Method includes life-changing tips, tricks, cleaning schedules, shopping lists, meal plans and quick recipes that will help you get your housework done fast. *Don't worry dads -- it works for you too.

Are your energy bills through the roof, and is your home still cold in the winter and hot in the summer? That s the reality for many homeowners in Wisconsin today, but it doesn t have to be that way. Advances in glass technology and window construction in recent years have made old style windows obsolete. In fact, some windows now on the market are more energy efficient than the walls that surround them. Taking into consideration the window technology available today, we are able to produce high-performance windows that keep comfort at a maximum and energy consumption at a minimum. Read this book if you are considering replacing some or all of the windows in your home. Learn how to assess the performance metrics on window labels and choose the best product for your situation. Find out about single-, double-, and triple-glazing and how it affects conduction and air infiltration. Read about argon and krypton, and learn which more effectively slows conduction. From the hazards of doing it yourself, to the pitfalls of hiring a handyman, Wisconsinite Scott The Window Guy Young draws from a lifetime of experience replacing windows the right way. He guides you through the basics of glass production, window styles and construction, installation, price, and long-term value. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about replacing the windows in your home. Then window shop like a pro and enjoy the comfort, convenience, good looks, and energy efficiency that high-quality, properly installed windows will deliver for years to come."

Finally, some practical information on what happens after the property has been acquired. Some of the topics covered: [ Cash Flows in Both Directions [ Real Truth Behind No Money Down Deals [ Realities of Property Management Companies [ Value Added Strategies [ Maintenance & Repair - A Constant Challenge [ Vacancies Can Be Expensive [ Exit Strategies - What To Do If Its Not Working [ Landlord Tenant Relationships Special Bonus: Wisdom is shared thru out from Active Successful Investors on Critical Aspects of Owning Investment Real Estate

Whether your home is a city apartment, country cottage or large and rambling house, it is your space and should be well cared for. The secret is managing the upkeep without feeling overwhelmed. As a hotelier, Francis Brennan has gathered unparalleled expertise in home maintenance and care, and this year, once again, he has compiled his Homekeeper's Diary to help you manage household tasks month by month. From getting organised to gardening, cookery and a whole host of useful tips, it's a practical bible which you can delve into daily to discover all the information you need to keep your home looking its best.

Cleaning has never been easier with this essential guide to tidying your house and home. With over 1,000 ideas, hints, tips and shortcuts from industry professionals, every domestic cleaning problem is covered - from swift solutions in moments of panic to ideas for a weekend deep clean, Clean Your Way to Happy has everything you need to achieve a tidy home and a tidy mind. Sections include: * Kitchens * Around the home * Valuables * Stains * Pets and animals * Clothes * Cars and bikes * Prevention This title was previously published as Trade Secrets: Cleaning.

Many of Britain's four million Victorian and Edwardian houses were shoddily built and often require 'essential repairs'. Problems like rising damp, timber decay, bowed roofs and subsidence are well known, but how can you tell if your house has major defects or is just typical for its age? Forget 'makeovers': this new edition of the Victorian House Manual, which has been extensively updated, shows where to look for danger signs, what's 'normal' and what isn't, and how to fix common defects. Equipped with this book, you can talk the same language as builders and property professionals. Written in a friendly and enjoyable style, and yet technically comprehensive. How your house was built - its age and history. What adds value? Packed with entertaining snippets - everything from anthrax in the walls and ingress of sewer rats to why cats are bad news for some roofs. Each chapter is devoted to a key part of the house: roofs, walls, windows, ceilings, etc, in the comprehensive style of a Building Survey, with full-colour photos and some step-by-step projects for repairs. Defects, causes and solutions: how to identify, solve and prevent all common defects found in Victorian houses, with some common scams exposed.

All the things consumers can do with Diatomaceous Earth: Over 101 easy ways to go green with this amazing food grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) that originates from ancient fossilized algae provided by Mother Nature. * Safer natural insecticide for homes, gardens, animals, birds, barns, farms, kennels, grains, crops, schools, parks, etc. * Learn what DE is, where it comes from, & how to use it. * Learn tools, application methods & recipes for applying DE. * Learn how to read labels correctly to choose the right kind of DE. * Learn how to identify and distinguish from unsuitable industrial filtering grades. * Learn about health risks linked to toxic chemical pesticides. * Discover eco-stories & anecdotal comments from all kinds of successful users of DE. * Find healthier & more contented birds & animals: DE rids fleas, ticks, lice & parasites. * Use DE as an animal feed additive for improved nutrition & health. * Use DE in animal feed as an anti-caking agent for anti-clumping, easy flow & mixing. * Use DE as a deodorizer on manure for drier mangers, barns, & stables for less flies. * Use DE as a soil amender for clay soils for more porosity & supply 14 trace minerals. * Use DE for protecting & storing grains & seeds. * Use DE to clean up oil spills. * Use DE to clean & polish tarnished silver & copper. * Use DE to dry leaves & flowers for arrangements. * Use DE as a non-scratching soft scrub. * Use DE to remove light scratches from vehicles. * Use DE as a deodorizer in shoes, kitty litter, refrigerator, vacuum bags & garbage cans, etc.

Repairing, even just painting, an old house with some of today's conventional building materials could begin processes leading to decay, or bring about changes that erode interest and value. Old house owners have a big investment to protect and many will want to do this as economically and sustainably as possible.

Filled with sound, up-to-date advice and instruction, this complete guide makes fence building a task anyone can tackle with confidence.

For the rural homeowner, this illustrated, easy-to-understand manual covers the basics of a septic tank and drain field, potential problems and solutions, greywater systems, composting toilets, and other alternatives. 125 illustrations. Tables.