Popular Mechanics How to Fix Anything: Essential Home Repairs Anyone Can Do

by The Editors of Popular Mechanics

A step-by-step guide to home repairs large and small from Popular Mechanics—the name that’s “synonymous with the ultimate in DIY knowledge” (Booklist, starred review).   Got a squeaky floor or a rattling door? Is your grout a color you don’t recognize anymore? From quick fixes like linking broken chains and patching drywall to more involved projects like replacing a fuel line and bleeding your brakes, Popular Mechanics How to Fix Anything is the handy and reliable go-to guide for the most common household problems—offering a primer on plumbing; unexpected hacks like using a golf tee to fill a stripped screw hole; instructions for tuning up the garage door; and so much more.   Throughout the book Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics’ senior home editor, answers questions about the trickiest fix-its, including how to deal with recurring ceiling cracks or get rid of that stench from the kitchen sink. And because it’s organized room by room, from basement to bathroom to bedroom, it’s simple to find the solution you need—so you won’t have to hire someone else to do the job.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Home Improvement, Ebooks, How To

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Coriander · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m definitely glad i picked this up and read through it, because the overview it gives is good for building a knowledge base and demonstrating that some problems (ie, my shower takes forever to run warm water in the winter) might be easier to fix (just need a recirculator, not a new water heater or to re-plumb the house in a less stupid way) than i might have assumed on my own.

I also really enjoyed the visual breakdown of different types tools, compounds, glues etc and what they’re good for. It’s very easy to assume incorrectly about these things when standing in the aisle of the hardware store. So a break down of use cases and under what conditions various adhesives will actually set is great. And as it turns out, i may have been using wood glue wrong all these years.

That being said, seriously sacrifices depth for breadth. I don’t think I could actually complete most of the repairs listed with just the instructions included here. It’s less ‘how to fix anything’ and more ‘what to search in google or on youtube when you need to fix different types of problems’. In addition, when I picked this up and even from quickly perusing the table of contents, I missed how much of the book is not related to home improvement/repair. They really do mean anything, including your electronics (in very, very surface-level detail…honestly most of that section felt less about repair and more about basic maintenance and photo editing) and your car. While possibly valuable to someone, it’s not really what I’m looking for.

[Rene · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are new to repairs to your home, I really believe this is a book you should have on your shelf. As I do not know that much about repairs; I checked this out of our library just for reference and was really happy that I did. There are tidbits with illustrations to go by.

[chrstphre campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Poorly Designed … ( ? )

What I mean by this, is that The Illustrations & Photographs are too small, infrequent, inconsistently presented ( i.e., a hogpodge of presentation styles ) & are nearly randomly chosen, & The book itself is - Not Fun -
This may seem like a ludicrous complaint, but The somber, ‘professional’ tone makes it very dry, & The ‘instructions’ are often so truncated that they require The reader to have foreknowledge of The intended objective.
e.g., these are Not instructions, but “reminders” for how to accomplish something !
Frustrating & Not Helpful !
These books by PS seem like careless potboilers that somebody thought they should make, & handed The assignment off to a low level intern with no enthusiasm for these projects !

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been useful to show diagrams of the steps instead of just a picture of the whole thing. Also, explanations (or descriptions) of certain terms would have been useful. I also find some solutions to be insulting. For example: tent pole broke?- use a stick you found in the woods! Really? Thanks, I would have never thought to do such a thing! There were some useful ideas and solutions, but visuals accompanying these steps should be just as good. You’re much better off looking up how to fix things on youtube.

[Candace W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learned some things, but I wanted to learn more. I was hoping there would be more common household problems addressed. There was a lot about fixing car issues. I would rather have heard more about actual in home issues.

[Julie Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written for intermediate level of skill, and some obscure unlikely projects, not as many everyday type situations as I would have liked. That said, I did learn a few new and useful skills. :)

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the basics of home repair. Has nice photos and is great for the beginning home owner.

[JC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little reference book. I like that they include drone repairs and modern issues.

[Ford Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to know stuff that is relevant everyday.

[Cecile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Handy reference; I learned two new repairs but this book is for someone who already knows what they are doing, not a beginner.