As was foretold, we've added advertisements to the forums! If you have questions, or if you encounter any bugs, please visit this thread: https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/240191/forum-advertisement-faq-and-reports-thread/
Options
Good DIY (home) starter books?
Straygatsby
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Anyone have any good all around home repair/home modification book/book sets they really like? I've just started learning the intricacies of a 100 year old Pacific Northwest home, and I've got some learninating to do. What I'm thinking of is when I was a wee lad there was a whole series of Time Life books that covered freaking everything about everything. I mean, there was so much general information there might have been chapters named "floors" and "walls" and god knows what else with plenty of pictures and details.
Youtube and online stuff is of course amazing these days, but I was hoping there was a sort of newbie's DIY bible I could sit in front of me floating around for those of us who have basic training in power tools and not hammering fingers, but who may have lived the soft, coddled life of apartment living.
Youtube and online stuff is of course amazing these days, but I was hoping there was a sort of newbie's DIY bible I could sit in front of me floating around for those of us who have basic training in power tools and not hammering fingers, but who may have lived the soft, coddled life of apartment living.
0
Posts
Other then that youtube or DIY forums are my go-tos when I need to figure out how to accomplish a project.
It doesn't really go into deep or step-by-step specifics about any particular thing, but it served me pretty well in understanding "the basics" and how everything in the house fits/works together. It also has pretty good tips on troubleshooting things, or figuring out what's wrong/what that noise is. From there it's usually a quick google/youtube search to find the specific solution to the problem.
This isn't to say that most homeowner issues can't be DIY (they can) but be realistic about it when dealing with water and electrical currents. People get trade licenses for a reason and having a professional evaluate a project (especially in an older home where non-traditional or pre-code wiring and plumbing fixtures are in place) is generally worth the money spent.
From someone who had a 107 year old house - Good Luck.
Key tips:
1. Never assume anything is square in an old house
2. Never assume breakers or wiring make sense. At all.
3. Measuring is great, but test fit.
I'd say a good #4 would be documentation. Especially if it's something you might have to 'redo', like a light switch or thermostat. Mark which wires went where, etc.
YES. Also, never be afraid to call in a pro if things seem extraordinarily fucked up.