CHECK IT OUT

Whether you’re a new homeowner or a veteran handyman, there’s always

something you can do to preserve what is probably your biggest single

tangible asset.

If you haven’t a clue about what to do, find advice about everything

from removing mildew to maintaining plumbing in James and Morris Carey’s

new book, “Home Maintenance for Dummies.” Along with room-by-room and

system-by-system coverage of routine maintenance tasks, there are dozens

of recipes for easily concocted cleaning formulas in this sequel to the

Carey brothers’ “Home Remodeling for Dummies.”

Also new on library shelves is Home & Garden Television’s “Complete

Fix-It.” For do-it-yourself types interested in repairing plumbing,

electrical and lighting systems, this definitive guide features tips for

heading off trouble and handling household emergencies. Also included are

instructions for fixing major appliances, walls, windows and doors. A

final chapter covers home safety, with information about smoke detectors,

deadbolt locks and alarm systems.

Other tips for cleaning gutters, fixing leaks and caring for lawns are

in “Guide to Home Repair and Improvement,” from the TrueValue hardware

store chain. Find hints from store ownersand their customers, plus

charts, lists and easy-to-follow guidelines for the most common household

repairs in this new volume.

If you’re planning a home improvement project, you may find everything

you need to tackle the job yourself in Better Homes and Gardens’ “New

Complete Guide to Home Repair and Improvement.” From laying floors and

hanging doors to installing cabinets, skylights, grills and garage door

openers, this is a fine guide for anyone who wants to avoid hiring a

handyman.

More elaborate projects could require an outside contractor, and you

can get an idea about what you should pay with the new edition of

“Interior Home Improvement.” Estimated costs for 64 popular home

improvement jobs are included, along with a chapter devoted to working

with contractors, designers and the building department.

For those more visually oriented, Better Homes and Gardens’

“Do-It-Yourself Home Repairs” documents solutions for 30 home-improvement

problems on videotape. While you might not learn everything you need to

know about repairing toilets, lamps and doorbells, you’ll get an overview

of remedies for things that eventually crop up in just about every home.

Other videos concentrate on specific tasks. In Dean Johnson’s “How-To”

series, look for separate tapes covering lighting, paint and wallpaper,

roofing, electrical, windows and doors, and faux finishing. Learn how to

design and construct your own outdoor space with Better Homes and

Gardens’ “Building a Deck.”

If you still haven’t figured out how to make your hassle your castle,

check out “Home Book,” new from Creative Homeowner. In 608 pages packed

with photos and drawings, research just about every aspect of home

upkeep. In addition, find instructions for 325 projects with how-to

photos in this definitive guide to repairs, improvement and maintenance.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams in collaboration with

Soon Jung. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers by

accessing the catalog at o7 https://www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

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