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Blog
The Blog of Toledo Lucas County Public Library
How the Library Fixed My Sink (Twice!)
Posted about 1 year ago by Morgan B
Ever since I was young, I have been a penny-pincher. I loosened my spending slightly as an adult (fancy coffee has a way of convincing me to treat myself every time) but my first impulse with a question of buying is, "Do I have to?" When something breaks at home, I ask myself, "Do I have to call someone, or is this something I can fix?"
Now, I am no electrician, and some projects are just too big for an amateur, but last summer I found myself with a small problem I thought I could tackle. My bathroom faucet was dripping.
We live in a wonderful age of internet access at our fingertips. Type "bathroom faucet dripping" into Google, however, and you face an overwhelming number of results: about 1.2 million videos and links. I had no idea where to start. What kind of faucet did I even have? Well, I work in a library, and so I bet you can guess what I did next.
Bingo! I now had the language necessary to narrow those numerous search results.
I found the Home Improvement Reference Center on the Library's website about a week earlier. Here was the perfect opportunity to test it out. The site divides thousands of reference books, projects and magazines into simple categories. All I had to do was go to the “Plumbing” section, then “Bathroom,” "Sinks & Faucets” and finally “Repairing Faucets.” Bingo! I now had the language necessary to narrow those numerous search results.
The guide helped me dismantle the faucet and find the small parts in need of replacement. Yes, I did spray water in my face cartoonishly, but only once! Fixing the leak cost me less than $5 and an afternoon.
When the kitchen faucet handle started to come loose the next week, I actually felt excited. Another look at the Library's resources and I fixed the faucet in less than an hour. I had no water in my face this time and plenty of bragging rights. A disclaimer: These were both small problems. I urge anyone with major plumbing issues or electrical problems of any kind to consult a professional. But if you're interested in a little DIY and money saving on a simple problem, consider giving your Library a call.
Beginner's Guide to DIY & Home Repairin Catalog Beginner's Guide to DIY & Home Repairin Catalog
By Jo Behari & Alison Winfield-Chislett
This comprehensive guide will give you confidence and show you everything you need to know to take care of, fix and customize your home. From painting and wallpapering to plumbing and hanging shelves. Filled with DIY hacks, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips, photos and illustrations, you'll learn all the basic skills to get any indoor or outdoor job done without spending a fortune.
Renovationin Catalog Renovationin Catalog
By Michael W. Litchfield & Chip Harley
Renovation is a truly comprehensive reference, as much concerned with what and why as it is with how to. For every topic covered, from foundations to finish flooring, readers will find the tools and materials they need, the problems they may encounter and workable solutions to see them through.
The Ultimate Tool Bookin Catalog The Ultimate Tool Bookin Catalog
By Popular Mechanics
Learn how to choose the best tool for getting any project done quickly, correctly, and efficiently from the editors of Popular Mechanics.
The Martha Manual: How to do (almost) everythingin Catalog The Martha Manual: How to do (almost) everythingin Catalog
By Martha Stewart
Whether it’s organizing, celebrating, cleaning, decorating or any number of other life skills, these are the time-tested, Martha-approved strategies for frequent challenges and basic how-to knowledge that everyone should have at the ready. Also included are plenty of solutions for the not-so-common conundrums, such as how to transport a decorated cake, bathe a cat or fold an American flag. With hundreds of expert tips and useful insights in an easy-to-follow format, this is the manual you need to learn how to do everything the Martha way.
Woodworking With Power Tools: Tools, Techniques & Projectsin Catalog Woodworking With Power Tools: Tools, Techniques & Projectsin Catalog
By Fine Woodworking
Power tools and machinery are at the heart of any woodshop, and this collection of information from Fine Woodworking provides expert advice and inspiration for building power tool skills. Expert craftsmen and craftswomen explain how they choose, maintain, and use every kind of power tool, from tablesaws to plunge routers, bandsaws to bench planers. There's advice on tool maintenance, techniques for getting the most from your tools, and projects made using power tools.
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