Best Plumbing Books to Read and Own

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Plumbing is a very technical job and if you want to succeed in the trade, not only do you need good plumbing skills, but you also need to have a good memory to remember things such as plumbing codes, specialized procedures, mathematical calculations, etc. And, this is where owning a few good plumbing books can come in very handy.

If you are a beginner or quite new to plumbing, then reading books on plumbing can give you excellent insight into the trade. And, if you’re learning the trade or are an apprentice, then good books on plumbing can be a good add-on to your formal education and can help you reinforce your learnings or learn something new. Even if you are an experienced plumber, having good books on plumbing can be good as reference material that can help if you want to look something up while working on a job.

So, irrespective of whether you’re a beginner, an apprentice, DIYer or a professional plumber, reading and owning plumbing books can always offer several benefits for any plumbing-related job. In this article, we have reviewed some of the best plumbing books on the market.

Best Plumbing Books

Ultimate Guide: Plumbing (4th Updated Edition)

Brought to you by Creative Homeowner, the 4th updated edition of Ultimate Guide: Plumbing is an excellent plumbing resource for a novice DIYer. The book has 608 pages with over 800 detailed drawings, photographs and instructions that help you step-by-step to complete common plumbing tasks, installations and repairs, right from how to unclog a drain right up to large bathroom renovation jobs.

The book covers topics such as:

  • How your home plumbing system works
  • General overview of a plumbing system along with vent, supply and waste piping
  • Unclogging drains, fixing leaking faucets, etc.
  • Help on techniques like connecting PVC and PEX pipes, soldering copper tubes, etc.
  • How to save resources
  • How to make plumbing fixture improvements and adding value to your home
  • How to install faucets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, lawn sprinklers, water softeners, etc.
  • Understanding water softeners, lawn sprinklers, etc.

Black & Decker: The Complete Guide to Plumbing (Updated 7th Edition)

The Complete Guide to Plumbing from Black & Decker is the most up-to-date and comprehensive plumbing book for DIYers of all skill levels. Consisting of 228 pages with clear instructions and step-by-step photos in color, the plumbing book enables you to solve simple plumbing issues such as repairing leaky faucets, fixing a toilet, installing or plumbing a curbless shower or vanity sink, etc.

Along with helping you understand the basic home plumbing systems, the book also gives you information on how to deal with the cabinetry or flooring problems, etc. The updated edition ensures that all the plumbing information conforms to the recent plumbing and residential codes.

The book covers tops such as:

  • Repairing faucets
  • Installing a jetted spa, curbless shower, garbage disposal unit, dishwasher
  • Replacing a toilet
  • Lighting, wall coverings, cabinetry, ventilation, flooring, etc.

Plumbing 1-2-3

Plumbing 1-2-3 from Home Depot is a 224-page book that covers over 90 common repair, maintenance, installation and upgrading projects of outdoor, as well as indoor plumbing jobs. The book covers each project in detail with step-by-step instructions and expert tips.

After reading the troubleshooting suggestion and tips for any project, you will be able to decide whether you can handle the particular plumbing project on your own or if you need a professional to do it. The only drawback of the book is that the project guides are not well illustrated or detailed and unless you know the basics, you may not be able to get through the jobs.

Plumbing Complete: Expert Advice from Start to Finish

If you want to handle your home plumbing jobs on your own, then the Plumbing Complete: Expert Advice from Start to Finish book is a great option that will teach you how to repair leaky faucets, unclog pipes, repair running toilets, etc.

It also covers how to install bathroom fixtures, kitchen appliances, etc. And, each project has step-to-step instructions, along with very clear diagrams and photos that will allow you to handle any plumbing job easily and confidently.

The topics covered in the book include:

  • Understanding the drain system
  • How to unclog and clean pipes
  • Tools required for every plumbing project
  • Installing a new bathtub
  • Repairing toilets and faucets
  • Fixing kitchen appliances, outdoor plumbing, etc.

Buyer’s Guide

When purchasing plumbing books to add to your collection, some of the things to consider are:

Check Various Online Stores

You can purchase plumbing books from a regular bookstore or an online store. However, by surfing the internet and checking out various online book stores, you may be able to get some good deals on the plumbing books you want to buy. Make sure to visit many online stores because each website may offer the same book at different prices.

Sign-Up for Discounts

By signing up for regular mail updates of the best deals or discounts, you can get the books you want at a discounted price.

Check Out Various Titles

Check out various books and see what they cover. If you’re a beginner, then you may want books that cover the basics of plumbing systems, plumbing techniques, etc. The book should be very simple with detailed instructions, drawings and photos and allow you to do simple plumbing jobs.

However, if you’re a more experienced or professional plumber, then you may need a more advanced book that covers advanced topics and projects, updated plumbing and residential codes, etc.

Look for Free Shipping

If you’re planning to purchase more than one book then paying for shipping for the books can be quite expensive. Surf various sites and opt for one that offers free shipping if you purchase more than a certain amount. This can help you to save a great deal of money.

Buy Many Books

Often, websites offer deals when you purchase more than one book. You may be able to get great discounts if you purchase more than 4 to 5 books at once.

A plumbing book can be extremely handy and help you accomplish your plumbing projects at home. However, with so many options available on the market, finding the right one may be tricky.

While most of the DIY plumbing books cover a wide range of common plumbing jobs, they may differ in terms of the level of detail and you must choose one based on your skill level and that fits your requirements perfectly.

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