Plumbing for Dummies

Want to save time, money, and frustration on plumbing repair and replacement? Do it yourself! Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For Dummies turns even the most daunting household plumbing project into a simple, step-by-step process that delivers professional-quality results at a fraction of what you'd have to pay a plumber—and you won't have to wait weeks for an appointment.

From fixing leaks and drips to caulking a tub or shower, to replacing a faucet, you'll discover how to tackle 40 of the most common plumbing jobs in your home. Easy-to-follow, detailed instructions and hundreds of photos and illustrations guide you through each task. And, you'll even discover what surprises to expect and how to prepare for them. This user-friendly guide delivers all the help you need to:

Understand your home's plumbing system

Comply with local plumbing codes

Fill your plumbing toolbox—including safety equipment

Organize, plan, and prepare for your plumbing job

Repair and upgrade faucets of all kinds

Unclog drains, traps, and toilets

Replace toilet parts and fix leaky tanks and bowls

Stop toilet tanks from sweating

Deal with noisy, sweaty, and frozen pipes

Replace a dishwasher or garbage disposal

Complete with a helpful primer on choosing the right pipes and fittings for your project and understanding your home's supply and drain-waste-vent systems, Plumbing Do-It-Yourself for Dummies is the one tool you must have before starting any household plumbing project.

Donald R. Prestly is a former Senior Editor for HANDY Magazine for The Handyman Club of America as well as a former Associate Editor for The Family Handyman Magazine. In addition to nearly 20 years of writing and doing home improvement projects, he spent several years as a manager for one of the Midwest’s largest home centers. Throw in the everyday upkeep requirements of being a homeowner, dealing with the same problems and repairs as other homeowners, and it’s clear that he has the background and expertise to help do-it-yourselfers tackle home plumbing repairs. Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For Dummies is Don’s second For Dummies book; he’s also the author of Kitchen Remodeling For Dummies, published in 2003.