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Plumbing books for builders

Gene_Davis | Posted in General Discussion on May 26, 2007 03:40am

If you operate in a locale where your plumbing must be done by licensed or certified pros, and if your plumbing gets inspected by a savvy AHJ, then you probably don’t need this.  You can depend on the process to get your pipes right.

Where I am, however, there is no plumber qualification, no plans review by building departments as regards plumbing, nor any inspection of in-place work. 

I needed to get up to speed on plumbing, because we’ve taken on a project in a remote location where good plumbers are scarce.  I checked out a lot of reference material, by surfing Amazon, using search engines, and spending time at libraries and the big chain bookstores like Borders and Barnes & Noble.

IMHO, a GC or owner-builder could not go wrong by having these two books:  Code Check Plumbing,  by Michael Casey, Douglas Hansen, and Redwood Kardon.  A small, spiral-bound manual, printed on heavy glossy stock paper, it is rugged enough for slamming around on sites.  Mine is the 3rd edition.  Plumbing a House, by Peter Hemp, at a little over 200 pages, is heads-and-shoulders above anything else I’ve seen in the how-to books I’ve scanned.

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  1. TGuide | May 26, 2007 05:01pm | #1

    Mr Davis,

     

    Have you considered Peter Hemp's other book, "Installing and Repairing Plumbing

    Fixtures"?  I found that to be just as valuable as his other book, "Plumbing a House",

    When you combine the two, you have an unbeatable reference set.  However, other

    than in my local library, I have been unable to find a new copy.  Apparently, it is out

    of print.

    Good luck!

     - T

    1. Shacko | May 26, 2007 06:08pm | #3

      Most book stores can get on their computer and tell you right away if any book is still available, just ask. Info. only.

    2. Hudson Valley Carpenter | May 26, 2007 06:28pm | #4

      Have you considered Peter Hemp's other book, "Installing and Repairing Plumbing

      Fixtures"? 

      Hemp has certainly been a topic of conversation on my job sites! 

  2. plumbbill | May 26, 2007 06:02pm | #2

    If you want to never be wrong & overkill for those ho-hum code areas here's the book for you.

    http://208.112.12.6/iapmo/shop/product_info.php?products_id=5

    I fear no man & only one GOD. Me

  3. Hiker | May 27, 2007 02:44am | #5

    Another vote for Hemp's books.  Both are outstanding. 

  4. savvy | May 27, 2007 03:47am | #6

    I vote for Hemps book also. Rex Cauldwell has a new plumbing book out, I have not read it yet but I have found his electrical book to be outstanding and I expect his plumbing book to be outstanding as well .

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