Table of Contents
Introduction 8
Part I Projects, Improvements, Repairs
Chapter 1 Working with Water Piping
Copper Water Piping 11
Cutting Water Pipes
Solder
Soldering Copper
When Pipes Won't Dry Out
Other Methods of joining Copper
Steel Piping 24
Plastic Water Piping 27
In-Line Water-Control Valves 30
Gate Valves
Ball Valves
Globe Valves
Stop-and-Waste Valves
Fixture Stops
Utility Faucet Valves 32
Freeze-Proof Sillcocks
Regulators and Safety Valves 36
Vacuum Breakers
Check Valves
Pressure-Reduction Valves
PEX Water Tubing 38
Chapter 2 Working with Waste and Vent Pipes 46
Cast-iron Drainage Piping 48
Working with Existing Cast Iron
New Piping into Old Hubs
Plastic Drainage Piping 58
Chapter 3 Toilet Repairs and Installation 62
Toilet Fundamentals 63
How Gravity-Flow Toilets Work 64
Troubleshooting Gravity-Flow Toilets 66
Repairing Toilets 76
Replacing a Flush Valve
Troubleshooting Pressure-Assisted Toilets 82
Toilet Flanges 86
Leaky Flange Gaskets
Setting Toilets on Concrete
Installing a New Toilet 96
Chapter 4 Installing Sinks and Related Equipment 100
Water- and Waste-Connection Basics 102
Sink Drains
Dishwashers
How to Replace a Bathroom Faucet and Drain 103
Replacing a Wall-Hung Bathroom Sink with a Vanity and Molded Top 108
Installing the Cabinet and Top
Installing a Bathroom Sink in a Plywood-Based Top 112
How to Replace a Kitchen Sink 114
Removing the Old Kitchen Sink
Installing a Metal-Rim Sink
Connecting the Water
How to Install a Laundry Sink 126
Installing a Freestanding Laundry Sink
Waste-Disposal Units 128
Built-In Dishwashers 135
Hot-Water Dispensers 142
Chapter 5 Faucet Repairs 144
Faucet Overview 145
Washer-Equipped Faucets
Washerless Faucets
Repairing Compression Faucets 146
"H" is for Left
Fixing Ball-Type Faucets 154
Repairing Cartridge Faucets 156
Repairing Two-Handle Cartridge Faucets
Repairing Ceramic-Disk Faucets 164
Faucet-Related Repairs 167
Dealing with Leaky Spray Attachments
Working with Scald-Control Faucets
Chapter 6 Clearing Drainpipes 178
Drain Cleaners 180
Chemical Drain Cleaners
Clearing Techniques 182
Getting the Most from a Plunger
Effective Auger Techniques
Access to Cleanout Fittings 183
Access to Sink Drains 184
Clearing Bathtub Drains 186
Clearing Other Traps 188
Clearing Bathroom Drum Traps
Clearing Shower Drains
Clearing Floor Drains
Chapter 7 Repairing and Installing Tubs and Showers 190
Waste and Overflow Repair and Replacement 191
Tub and Shower Faucets 195
Bathtubs 198
Whirlpool Tubs
Showers 206
Installing a Shower Stall
Chapter 8 Maintaining and Installing Water Heaters 210
Electric and Gas Water Heaters 211
Electric Water Heaters
Gas-Fired Water Heaters
Common Water-Heater Problems 213
Faulty T&P Relief Valves
Sediment Accumulation
Servicing Gas-Fired Water Heaters 216
Combustion-Air Problems
Vent-Pipe Problems
Servicing Electric Water Heaters 218
Replacing a Heating Element
Installing an Electric Water Heater 223
Chapter 9 Sump Pumps, Filters, and Softeners 224
Sump Pumps 225
Sump Pumps for Groundwater and Runoff
Installing a Submersible Sump Pump
Water Treatment Systems 230
Filter Types
Installing In-Line Filters
Installing Reverse-Osmosis Units
Chapter 10 Septic Systems, Wells, and Lawn Sprinklers 236
Septic Systems 237
Private Water Wells 239
How to Install an Underground Sprinkler System 242
An Overview
Part II Fundamentals 248
Chapter 11 Plumbing Basics 248
Water Supply System 249
Municipal Supply Lines
Water Meters
Types of Service Line
Indoor Water Supply Systems
Fixture and Appliance Connections
Drainage and Vent Systems 256
Sizes and Materials
The Drainpipe System
Tools 259
Shopping for Tools
Plumbing Tools
Chapter 12 Planning Plumbing Changes and Additions
Building Codes 265
Permits and Inspections
Layout and Feasibility 266
Standard Rough-In Measurements
Designing Efficient Plumbing Installations
Planning for Access
Chapter 13 Drains, Vents, and Traps
Drains 275
Vents 278
Vent Types and Terms
Basic Drain and Vent Considerations
Sizing Fixture Drains and Vents
Installing Vents and Vent Fittings
Roof Vent Considerations
Traps 288
Trap Variations
Broken Trap Seals
Air Gap Fitting Requirements 292
Installation for Automatic Dishwashers
Installation for Reverse Osmosis Units
Installation for Water Softeners
Resource Guide 296
Glossary 300
Index 306
Photo Credits 311
Metric Equivalents 312
