Solving Home Plumbing Problems

Expert advice for homeowners.

Plumbing is often a mystery to most homeowners. As a result, faucets drip, toilets clog and pipes leak because of the hesitation to take on the repair project or call a plumber.

Solving Home Plumbing Problems helps reluctant do-it-yourself homeowners understand and be successful with home plumbing jobs. Written in a jargon-free and accessible style, this handbook includes the most common situations plumbers are called in to fix.

Illustrated with 80 color line drawings, the book covers:

• Plumbing tools
• Understanding the plumbing system
• Working with water pipes: copper/ plastic/steel
• Cutting and soldering pipe
• Maintaining drains
• Fixing common leaks
• Repairing all types of faucets
• Installing appliances and sprinkler systems
• Remodeling the bathroom
• Working with wells and septic tanks
• Repairing outdated plumbing fixtures
• Making quick fixes for minor emergencies

Solving Home Plumbing Problems belongs on the bookshelf (or even better at the workbench) in every home.

Practical help for homeowners who need to understand and repair plumbing systems. Written in a jargon free style and well illustrated it cover the most common repairs, remodeling issues, emergency fixes, septic systems, sprinklers and more.

Library Journal

Anthropologists may say that spoken language and the opposable thumb separate humans from beasts; homeowners know that working indoor plumbing ranks up there as well. Formerly a contractor and a senior editor at Family Handyman magazine, Branson offers this excellent introduction to the most commonly encountered plumbing problems and projects. Writing for relatively inexperienced do-it-yourselfers, he discusses the most frequently used tools and how to perform properly essential tasks such as cutting or soldering pipes (a section on safety warns readers about common hazards). Projects range from the relatively simple, such as clearing drains or installing faucets, to much bigger jobs, like replacing a water heater or installing a sprinkler system. A short section gives basics about wells and septic systems, and the section on bathroom remodeling offers guidelines for accessibility. Clear black-and-white illustrations supplement the straightforward text. Essential. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Gary Branson worked as a contractor for many years before turning his talents to writing and editing. He worked as an editor of Black & Decker's Home Improvement Series, including Home Plumbing Projects and Repairs, and was senior editor for Family Handyman magazine. He is the author of Popular Mechanics 101 Quick Home Improvement Tips and 125 Ways to Handle Home Emergencies.