Popular Mechanics reissues 3 'How-To' books

Popular Mechanics reissues 3 'How-To' books
Read, repair, reap savings: As we all know, bills for home repairs can be outrageous. Wouldn't it be great if we could do the work ourselves?
Popular Mechanics has reissued three of its "Home How-To" books for those of us brave enough to tackle the tasks ourselves.
"Plumbing & amp; Heating" offers hundreds of drawings and instructions on everything from fitting your bathroom with a tub to repairing leaky faucets.
"Weatherproofing & amp; Insulation" offers diagrams and illustrations on how to seal roof leaks, repair brickwork and more.
"Outdoors & amp; Gardens" shows how to plan a garden, resurface a driveway and install outdoor wiring.
They're published by Hearst Books and available at area bookstores.
Each sells for $9.95.
'Pointing' is processof renewing bricks' look
Brick is both an attractive and durable finish. However, over time the mortar that bonds bricks together can become cracked or loose.
The removal and replacement of cracked or missing mortar between the bricks is called "pointing."
Start the process by chipping away cracked or loose mortar, using a cold chisel and a hammer. Be careful not to damage the bricks.
Next, use a brush to remove the remaining debris. Brush the joints with water before repointing them. This will ensure that water is not sucked from the mortar by the dry bricks.
Mix up a batch of masonry mortar and force it into place using a mason's trowel.
Do the vertical joints first, then the horizontal.
Complete the job by removing the excess mortar and shaping the joint with a brick jointer.
Seal cracks in asphaltto prevent potholes
Cracks in asphalt are not only unsightly but allow water to travel to the base below, causing potholes as well.
Prevent potholes and keep cracks in check by applying asphalt sealer every three or four years.
Asphalt sealer, also known as emulsified asphalt, generally is available in a ready-to-pour 5-gallon bucket.
While asphalt sealer will take care of the small cracks, larger cracks should first be filled with an asphalt caulking compound.
Cracks wider than 1-half inch should be filled with a paste made from sand and emulsified asphalt.
Potholes and larger repairs can be made using asphalt cold patch.
Caulk and seal exteriorbefore rain, snow begin
Caulking the exterior of the home usually is performed just before painting. But it's a good idea to check the exterior of your home at least once a year to make sure that all the joints and connections are well-sealed.
Once rain and snow begin, it will be too late because caulks and sealants just won't adhere to damp surfaces.
When shopping, you will probably discover that there are caulks made specifically for use with glass, wood, concrete or stone. Name the surface -- there is a specialty caulk for it.
If you're unsure about which one to buy, try polyurethane caulk; it sticks to everything, remains soft and pliable, and, best of all, can be painted.
Exterior latex caulk with silicone is also universal, but it isn't as durable or as flexible as polyurethane caulk.
Polyurethane costs more but lasts three to four times as long as latex.
Book shows you howto organize, show photos
Admit it. You've got a box stashed under your bed or in the back of your closet that's filled with pictures.
Sure, you'd love to frame some of them or organize them in some way.
But there just isn't time, and it'd be too much work.
So there they sit.
Displaying your photos might not be as daunting as you think.
The new book "At Home With Pictures: Arranging & amp; Displaying Photos, Artwork & amp; Collectibles" (Lark Books, $27.95) by Paige Gilchrist offers guidelines for photo arranging, matting and framing, hanging, grouping by theme or color and framing objects as art.
It explains how to fill up a blank wall without a huge piece of artwork; how to frame or mount clothing, keepsakes and trinkets of various sizes; how to build a photo-collage wall; when to use dark or light matting; and lots more.
Olive oil works greatto hide furniture scratch
Believe it or not, you can hide a fine scratch on furniture by rubbing it with the meat of a pecan or other oily nut, or even with a little peanut butter.
But if that sounds a bit too nutty or smelly, there are alternatives.
It's the oil in the nut that does the job.
Olive oil or vegetable oil will work even better -- without the danger of your further damaging the finish by being forced to rub too hard.
Rub the oil in well with your thumb and finish the job by polishing the surface with a clean, soft cloth.
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