Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For
Dummies by Donald R. Prestly
Perfect For The "Home Repair Challenged" Like Me...
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
youd have to pay a plumber—and you wont have to wait weeks for an
appointment. From fixing leaks and drips to caulking a tub or shower,
to replacing a faucet, youll 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,
youll 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 homes 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 homes

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.
Personal Review: Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For Dummies by
Donald R. Prestly
If you've hung around my blog very much, you're well aware of the fact that
me and home repair projects don't normally mix. I don't know what it is,
but you put hardware in my hands, and I become a bumbling idiot.
Plumbing Do-It-Yourself For Dummies by Donald R. Prestly is the *perfect*
approach to plumbing fix-it jobs for someone like me. It's short, concise,
has plenty of pictures, and explains just enough to make me think that it's
possible to pull off the unlikely/impossible... a plumbing repair that doesn't
stretch into a multi-hour marathon of frustration and humiliation.
Contents:
Part 1 - Getting to Know Your Plumbing System: Understanding Plumbing;
Fetch Me My Pipe and Fittings!; Getting the 411 on Codes and
Requirements; Filling Your Plumbing Toolbox
Part 2 - Faucets and Sinks: Cleaning a Faucet Aerator and Sink Sprayer;
Repairing a Leaky Rotary Ball Faucet; Repairing a Leaky Cartridge Filter
Faucet; Repairing a Leaky Ceramic Disk Faucet; Repairing a Leaky
Compression Faucet; Repairing a Leaky Two-Handle Faucet Spout;
Caulking around a Sink Bowl; Replacing a Leaky Sink Basket; Replacing a
Sink Trap; Replacing a Double-Bowl Kitchen Sink Drain; Replacing a
Bathroom Sink Drain; Adjusting a Pop-Up Drain; Unclogging Sink Drains;
Soldering Copper Pipes
Part 3 - Tubs and Showers: Caulking the Tub, Tile, and Fixtures;
Replacing a Tub Spout; Replacing a Showerhead; Repairing a Tub and
Shower Compression Faucet; Repairing a Cartridge Shower Faucet;
Repairing a Disk Shower Faucet; Repairing a Cartridge/Seat-Spring
Faucet; Adjusting a Tub Drain; Unclogging Tub and Shower Drains
Part 4 - Toilets: Checking a Toilet for Leaks; Replacing a Fill Valve;
Replacing a Flush Valve; Replacing A Flapper; Adjusting the Tank's Water
Level; Repairing a Leaky Tank; Repairing a Leaky Bowl; Stopping a Tank
from Sweating; Replacing a Toilet Seat; Unclogging a Toilet with a
Plunger; Clearing a Clog with a Closet Auger
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Tips for Plumbing Success; Ten Tips for
Dealing with Problematic Pipes; Ten Safety Considerations
Index
The first part of the book starts out with the general layout of a household
plumbing system, and why things like drain, waste, and vent systems are
necessary. He also goes into what tools are essential when it comes to
plumbing repairs. That's probably the first really helpful thing for me, as
my tool collection is... "lacking", and going to a store doesn't necessarily
tell you why you'd need something like a spud wrench. The following
sections get into the details of specific repair jobs, complete with photos
(not generalized line drawings), a list of tools you'll need, materials you'll

have to use, and how long it *should* take. Knowing me, I'd double that
last figure, and then double it again. And if I beat that time, I'd be feeling
real "manly". :) I really wish I'd have had this book when we replaced our
toilet. My wife and I would have resumed talking to each other much
sooner...
The Part of Tens section is also useful for those little gems that you don't
think of when you start a project... like trying to start and finish your project
during store hours so you don't end up stuck overnight with no toilet or
water pressure in the house. Also there's the advice to buy the *right*
tools for the job at hand, and add to the collection as you do new projects.
I won't tell you what I've ended up using pipe wrenches for when certain
other tools are not available to me.
I'm sure all the home repair experts are probably thinking I'm a major wuss
when it comes to fixing stuff. They'd be right. But with a book like this, I'm
inspired to at least give the repair a try before springing for the cost of a
professional. Although the whole propane blow-torch thing? I don't think
so...
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