The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: A Comprehensive Manual, from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) [Paperback]

Black and Decker (Author), Inc Creative Publishing Inter (Author)

Book Description

Series: Black & Decker Home Improvement Library | Publication Date: August 1998

The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing is the only book on plumbing a homeowner will ever need, including information on everything from fixing a leaky faucet to renovating an entire plumbing system. It provides thorough step-by-step instructions, information on local plumbing codes, permit requirements, and detailed explanations of materials and tools required.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bryan Trandem, Executive Editor for Cpi's Home Improvement & Gardenting division, has written more than a dozen books, including Home Plumbing Repairs & Projects, and Advanced Home Plumbing. He has edited another forty titles for Cpi.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Creative Pub Intl (August 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0865737754
• ISBN-13: 978-0865737754
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #779,446 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

143 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lives up to the title, September 30, 1999

By 

Dave (Oneida, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: A Comprehensive Manual, from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) (Paperback)

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.

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on a Confusing Subject I've Found!, February 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: A Comprehensive Manual, from Basic Repairs to Advanced Projects (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) (Paperback)

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.

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for doing it yourself- and doing it right!, December 2, 2002

By 

JDiver "You haven't lived until you've dived." (Roseville, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: New, Updated & Expanded Edition (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) (Paperback)

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.