I very rarely spend hard earned money on "how-to" books since they very rarely offer the kind of insight a do-it-yourselfer is looking for. This book is the best exception to that rule that I have found. The book covers all facets of plumbing.Included in the book are high level overviews, extensive discussions of plumbing materials, and step by step instructions for planning, installing, and repairing plumming systems. Whether you are a current home owner looking for assistance in home plumbing repairs, or designing the plumbing system for new construction, this book contains everything you need to get the job done.In addition to the thoroughness of the information contained in the book, there are outstanding graphics and photographs depicting topic at hand. This book would be a bargain at five times the cost. Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Plumbing: Expanded 4th Edition - Modern Materials and Current Codes - All New Guide to Working with Gas Pipe (Black & Decker Complete Guide)
I've been disappointed many times at the lack of depth given by many "do-it-yourself" books. This isn't one of them! The photos are clear, the language concise. Each procedure is given clearly in a step-by-step manner that anyone can follow. After reading this book I may even tackle copper pipe and soldering, something which I've never been quite brave enough to do before. I had questions answered that I've been searching for, quite literally, years. How-to manuals just don't get any better.
I'm the kind of homeowner who isn't afraid of attempting various repairs- with the proper guidance and directions (I do have some background in electronics repair, but that's a distant relative to home repairs, IMO.) This book provides both for me through excellent organization, clear instructions highlighted by excellent overall and step-by-step photos (for instance, photos of three alternative "naked" shower plumbing setups as typically installed in American homes, sans drywall and covering, as well as step-by-step photos of how to perform component maintenance or replacement). Included are lists of the tools needed to do the job (ever had to stop mid-job because you didn't have the exact tool to continue?), a well-written index and even handy conversion (metric - Imperial) tables, as well as what in my opinion is the only useless bit of this book, a sketchy resource list of professional associations. I think this book still merits five stars; it is good for scoping and planning, and then to follow as you are doing. Finally- a well-illustrated and clearly written book for the rest of us, not assuming we know it all nor talking down to us! Kudos- and thanks!- to Black and Decker.
This book, is without a doubt, the best book on plumbing that I've seen, and I looked through a lot of them before choosing this one. Just like the title says, it's a complete guide, with excellent photos and numeric tables to help meet code. If you're going to do your own plumbing, I'd recommend this one.
This book is chock full of photos; so much that it detracts from providing information. I was trying to use it to replace a leaking shower faucet, but couldn't find any useful info about my setup. All there was were pictures of valves that weren't mine. I would like to see more troubleshooting chapters, and more possible fitting/material variations outlined. For instance I would like to know how to go from plastic to copper to galvanized etc.
Still if you doing a new install and have access to the exact material they use then it is good for that.
I had always lived in apartments until I purchased my first home last fall. Shortly after I moved into the house, terrible leaks began to develop in the upstairs shower. The diverter no longer worked in the downstairs shower, and no pressure was getting through the shower head. I felt responsible for making the repairs and I didn't know where to start. I sure didn't want to disappoint my wife. I looked through all the plumbing books I could find. Like other reviewers have said, the graphics in this book by far surpass the graphics in any other manual. It is obvious that Black & Decker went to great lengths and expense to create the many excellent cut-away photographs. For my problems with the showers, the photographs showed me what I needed to do in one glance. I quickly knew what parts I needed to get. I needed a new spout dowstairs with a built in diverter. All I needed for the upstairs shower was a couple of o-rings. I also needed to purchase a pipe wrench to loosen the spout. I was able to complete the repairs in about an hour.I am not really sure I would have had the patience to read through a less intuitive book. With the help of this book, I have the confidence to face future plumbing problems.
Though I feel this book was written for the newbie and the weekend warrior do-it-yourselfer, I think it can easily make anyone a better plumber. It's chock-full of tips, tests, and troubleshooting (I bought the book for its detailed explaination on troubleshooting a badly designed trap -- saved me a $200 plumber bill!)
The best part of the book is that it doesn't just tell you how to do it, but explains how the appliances work to give you a better idea on the why-and-how it works.
Covers:
Water heaters
Dishwashers
Floor drains
Jet tubs (Jacuzzis)
Septic systems
Frost-proof faucet (sillcock)
Showers (even installing an enclosure)
Cutting and soldering copper (which makes the $25 price of the book WELL worth it.)
Faucets (with great expanded or "exploded" views of all the inner pieces.
Tools, types of pipe and fittings (why, when and where to use them - which is priceless to someone that is new to this.)
and much much more.
You'll be amazed at how easy it is to fix 90% of your household plumbing problems! I highly recommend this book. - Home Plumbing - Beginners Guide - Home Improvement - Do It Yourself'
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