Lou Manfredini's House Smarts: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Buying, Maintaining, and Living Comfortably in Your Home

Lou Manfredini, aka Mr. Fix-It, is the trusted friend every homeowner wishes he or she had--someone who knows houses. In his fun, friendly, fully illustrated guide for both inexperienced and seasoned homeowners, he takes you through your entire house and around the yard, showing you how it all works and what to do when it doesn't. The result: You'll have a clear understanding of the systems that make up your house and gain the expert knowledge to proceed with any job, big or small--whether you're hiring a contractor or doing it yourself. Discover

- How your house works: an anatomy lesson
- The wonders of water--where it comes from and where it goes
- Getting wired--the magic of electricity
- Windows--ways to bring in the sunshine and keep out the drafts
- The joys of being floored--good floor construction and maintenance
- Wall power--it's not what's on them but what's in them that counts
- Decorating secrets the pros don't like to share

Plus Lou Manfredini's sixty-minute home inspection, an essential tool list, and an ABC glossary of terms: from air duct to weather stripping



About the Author
Lou Manfredini started working in a hardware store when he was thirteen years old. He worked as a carpenter's apprentice in college and opened his own construction company in Chicago in 1985. His media career began ten years later when he pitched the idea of a call-in show to a local radio station. WGN-AM picked up the show, and Mr. Fix-It was born. T The radio show is now nationally syndicated, and Lou is also a frequent contributor to television and print media as well. He appears regularly on the Today Show, and has a bimonthly column in USA Weekend. He still runs his own construction company, and actively builds and renovates homes. Lou lives in Chicago with his wife and four children.

Curtis Rist is the coauthor of This Old House Homeowner's Manual. He is a former senior writer at both People and New York Newsday, and is currently a contributing editor for Discover and Family Fun. He lives in New York City with his wife and two sons.