Fox Chapel Publishing Ultimate Guide: Plumbing, Updated 5th Edition

Helped me plan the work and necessary parts for a remote job.

I've found the "Ultimate Guide: Plumbing, Updated 5th Edition" to be an indispensable resource for all my plumbing projects. This book has guided me through various tasks with its clear instructions and comprehensive how-to information.One of the aspects I appreciate the most is the beginner-friendly approach. As someone who enjoys DIY but doesn't have extensive experience with plumbing, the step-by-step projects make everything feel achievable. The detailed photos are incredibly helpful, providing visual guidance that complements the written instructions perfectly.The book's thoroughness in covering code-compliant techniques is reassuring. It's great to know that the methods I'm using are up to standard and safe. The explanations are straightforward and make complex concepts easier to grasp, which has boosted my confidence in tackling more challenging tasks.On the downside, I did notice that some of the tools and materials recommended are not always the most affordable options. It would be nice if there were more budget-friendly alternatives mentioned. However, this is a minor issue, as the quality and clarity of the content far outweigh this drawback.In conclusion, this guide has become my go-to reference for plumbing projects. Its practical advice and easy-to-follow format have made DIY plumbing much more manageable and less intimidating. It's a fantastic addition to any DIY enthusiast's library.

Good

I feel mean marking this book down as when I bought it I expected that the alien world of North American housing construction and plumbing would have less relevance to Australian plumbing. I was proved right but that's not the author or book's fault; it was clearly written for a US audience and a US building and plumbing environment. It's not just that we call our faucets "taps" or rarely need to cater for the risk of freezing pipes. We don't generally have basements needing sump pumps, we don't generally have flap valve toilet cisterns here (and our easy flush cistern plumbing are also different to ones described in the book). Waste disposal units are also uncommon in Oz. Brick veneer and double brick (especially in Western Australia) rather than timber cavity walls are the dominant house construction type in Australia as well. The material that may be useful, albeit to only a limited extend giving the different plumbing codes and different commonly available fittings, are those that covering working with copper pipes, using compression fittings, replacing HWS sacrificial anodes, installing bathroom sinks, faucet repair, and clearing drainpipes. Someone really needs to write an Australian DIY plumbing book, albeit that in black and white law it is illegal for all but a licensed plumber to do any plumbing. But just walk around any Bunnings hardware store plumbing section on any days and you will see, despite the laws, lots of home owners buying supplies for DIY plumbing projects. In Australia, we share more with the UK plumbing and construction environment but there is not a lot to choose from there in the way of good DIY plumbing books either. The Collins and Haynes ones arr not that useful either. Well at least for now, we have YouTube with lots of Australian Plumbing content. I am not sure why I bought this book; I guess I just hoped there would be more material that would translate into the Australian situation.

Book up to date with National code. It helps homeowners & plumbers with different issues.