1 comments about Modern Plumbing.

1. I bought this book to teach myself plumbing skills, not for use in a classroom, but just for DIY information to maintain my home and rental property. I find that hiring plumbers is very expensive. It has a good overview of the plumbing field and introduces many topics such as connecting a home to the public sewer and water supply, a good discussion of fittings, and information on installing fixtures.
   
   I believe the book could have been much longer (compare this book's 600 pages to Modern Refrigeration and Air Conditioning - about 1200 pages)which would have allowed for more in depth coverage. I found myself wanting more detail in most of the 30 rather short chapters.
   
   The book probably works OK in a classroom with an instructor nearby to fill in the gaps and show actual examples of the pipe, fittings, fixtures, etc. In some cases terms are used before being defined and terms are used inconsistently which makes it hard for the self learner. Some of the explanations seem confusing.
   
   The book also probably works OK for an apprentice plumber who is working in the field. However it is probably not the best book for the self learner due to its lack of complete detail of the topics covered.
   
   The book is professionally presented with many color pictures, diagrams, etc. There are some typos but most are minor and do not affect the book's readability. Questions at the end of each chapter are good for assessing your understanding.
   
   I feel this book and many trips to Home Depot will help save me money on future plumbing jobs.

1 comments about Sustainable Energy System Engineering.

1. After reading the first of Dr. Gevorkian's works on sustainable energy systems I thought it would be interesting to see what could possibly be added to his latest. The second book is intense in its content. Packed with so much information it would be overwhelming to read cover to cover - rather it is like an encyclopedia on the subject and a very useful reference. For an architect or engineer wanting to learn how some of these systems might be integrated in a project they are working on, or for a layman to have a savants knowledge of these subjects, I give it a high recomendation.

No comments about Pipe Layout Helps: For the Pipefitter and Welder.

1 comments about Reparaciones y Proyectos de Plomeria.

1. El producto es barato y de gran calidad gráfica, muy bien explicado y aunque en Europa tenemos algunas diferencias, es francamente bueno, lo recomiendo.
   Por parte del vendedor muy buen servicio, bien empaquetado y ha llegado en plazo.

5 comments about Plumber's Handbook.

1. Excellent book for designers and architects to use for residential and small commerical structures. Provides the Plumbers point of view on necessary design elements for layout of fixtures, pipes, etc.

   Provides excellent explanation on how to read a plumbing design layout and superb insight in to the plumbing codes. Provides the details that will allow a designer or architect to adequately communicate with plumbing contractors.

   Good overview for architects/designers and a very useful study guide for plumbers and plumbing contractors.




2. I'm a man the thrives on detailed information. And I salute this Howard Massey for producing this first-rate plumbing book! Beware, this is not a book for weekend Joe looking to learn how to replace a faucet washer. Even if your not in the plumbing trade, but are serious about learning to understand and design plumbing service for your home or business, you have found the book you want.

   So many technical books paint their subject with such broad brush strokes that, after reading the book, the reader is left to discover for themselves (as in "the hard way") what necessary detail was omitted. Not this book. It's complete, well organized, well indexed, and riddled with excellent photographs and illustrations.

   While the book is entirely in in black and white, the author very effectively used an artist with a computer to expertly draw most of the illustrations. The fidelity of the graphics is worthy of a graphic arts how-to book.

   To give you a sense of how thorough and complete this book is, I'll describe the problem I recently used it to understand and solve. A family friend, who is a veterinarian, recently mortgaged everything to buy her own animal hospital. As soon as she bought is the drains started backing up. Roto-Rooter started coming monthly to remove pet hair from the sewer pipes. I went to the "Plumbers Handbook" and it not only had a section on trapping hair, it even had a topic specific to the control of hair generated by kennels and animal care facilities!

   What a super book!




3. I'm building my own house and bought this book as a plumbing reference. It has pretty much sat on the shelf. It is more oriented toward the full time plumber who is doing multiple types of jobs. Too much time spent on the many fascets of plumbing and too little time spent on how it applies to doing a residential job.

   Instead I'd recommend "Complete Home Plumbing" by Sunset books. That book has been my first read when a question comes up.




4. Whether a do-it-yourself amateur or an experienced professional, this new and updated edition of Howard Massey's "Plumber's Handbook" is a very highly recommended instructional reference manual. Drawing upon his many years of expertise and experience as a plumber, a plumbing contractor, an inspector and plans examiner, Massey explains in simple terms how to install plumbing systems that will pass inspection the first time! Each chapter is profusely illustrated with diagrams, charts and tables that will insure the selection of the right material and correct installation. The "Plumber's Handbook Revised" addresses vents, waste piping, drainage, septic tanks, hot and cold water supply systems, wells, fire protection piping, fixtures, solar energy systems, gas piping, and so much more. Of special note are the chapters dedicated to the plumbing of mobile home and travel trailer parks and graywater recycling. An invaluable addition to personal, professional, school and community library reference collections, this newly revised edition is completely updated to conform to the International Plumbing Code (IPC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) standards.



5. This is a great book if you need theory, plumbing codes, etc. If you want to know how to make your new p-trap fit your old p-trap, then you will be very disappointed. No DIY tricks here. No inside secrets on parts compatibility and replacements. This book is just hard core plumbing design and install, etc,,, and not repair parts oriented which is the root cause of most guys looking for a book like this. Plumbing repair is all about parts, PARTS, parts, and this is not the book for that. The cover of the book even says "...planning and installing....", not repair! It seems to be a great book, seriously,,, it just is not the magic pill I wanted. Seems there are no magic pill books,,,, rats! By the way, I think the used book I bought is stolen from Parma Ohio Library. hmmmm?

2 comments about Graywater: The Next Wave.

1. This book explains both the theory of how a Graywater system works along with giving practical, useful, easy-to-follow, illustrated information on how to construct one at a cost-effective price. The author actually documented building his own Graywater system and then shared the experience he gained through this book. I am glad that I purchased this book, because I know sometime in the near future, I'll use it to actually construct my own Graywater system.



2. I'm on a septic system, as are other homes in my subdivision. I've often thought that there should be a cost effective way to re-use much of the water that I consume. This book describes several low-cost alternatives for implementing just such a system. The optimal Graywater system really depends upon what you want to accomplish and how much water you consume. This book is an excellent starting point for evaluating and developing an effective plan based upon an individual's water use pattern. References, including web resources, are also included for further study.

5 comments about The Furnace Book: "The Heart of Your Home".

1. My neighbor told me that there was a book out last year on how to install your own furnace. That ws great news to me. I bought The Furnace Book By Authorhouse online and I am glad that I did.
   It was just what the Doctor ordered for myself and my family as my old furnace had stopped running.
   I put in my furnace and air in a couple of days and saved a few thousand dollars for the book price. The book was no more tha the price of a hand tool and was a good referance book.



2. I was hesitant about changing my own furnace until I purchased The Furnace Book. It was of great help and the pictures in the book help me to understand what I needed to do.
   I would reccomend The Furnace Book to any homeowner.



3. Although I don't work in the trades, I'm the kind of guy that spent his youth tearing apart engines and working on cars. Suffice it to say I know my way around mechanical things. I live in Atlanta where all two story homes have a separate HVAC system for each floor. You can imagine my wallet shock to find both my 22 year old HVAC units needed replacement with a median quote of $11,500. My research on the internet provided information that I could buy the exact name brand equipment online for $3400. That said, I had no idea how to install it or should I say I had no experience in installing HVAC. That's when I learned about The Furnace Book. Paul King walks you through the complete process of retrofitting your replacement units to your existing duct and vent system. The pictures are excellent and the sheet metal advice is invaluable. It's written in a step by step manner that laymen can understand. This book is an excellent resource where you are shown the secrets of the trade. I know of no other book like it and would commend it to anyone wanting to understand the process of installing new HVAC equipment. As you can see my savings on the project were $8100. I would have to say The Furnace Book would be cheap at twice the price.



4. I was a little disappointed with this book because it lacked detail. In particular, it did not cover high efficiency furnaces at all. The book is 52 pages and only scratches the surface of a new installation. I don't think that this covers everything a novice would need to know to properly install a new gas furnace.



5. I was just looking for information on how to add a couple of duct branches off the main duct. I went right to the section of the book that explains how to do this, the epilogue. This section could have been written in French. For a novice, the terms heat runs, trunk lines, square to round and round to square mean nothing. I looked in the furnace terminology, scanned the rest of the book and the index. There was no reference to this anywhere. This book was a waste of $26. If you don't know anything about furnaces or ductwork, don't waste your money.

3 comments about Plumbing (Home Repair and Improvement (Updated Series)).

1. I am the proud owner of the complete Home Improvement series by Time-Life Books. This book has come in handy more times than I can say. The house I bought is 100 years old and the plumbing was in very bad shape. Time-Life's "Plumbing" had tips and tricks for every plumbing repair or upgrade project I worked on.

   I like the new spiral bindings of this book. It allows the book to lay flat, without the pages turning on their own. The binding alone convinced me to update my library from the original hardcover series.

   The drawings are very helpful in showing you what you should be looking for. I like the drawing much better than photos...they leave out minor details that would otherwise get in the way, leaving only the important details that let you get the job finished quickly and easily.

   I recommend this book (and the entire series) to anyone interested in working on their home. Whether you are a beginner or experienced homeowner, this book will be the one you turn to for all your plumbing questions.




2. I am the proud owner of the complete Home Improvement series by Time-Life Books. This book has come in handy more times than I can say. The house I bought is 100 years old and the plumbing was in very bad shape. Time-Life's "Plumbing" had tips and tricks for every plumbing repair or upgrade project I worked on.

   I like the new spiral bindings of this book. It allows the book to lay flat, without the pages turning on their own. The binding alone convinced me to update my library from the original hardcover series.

   The drawings are very helpful in showing you what you should be looking for. I like the drawing much better than photos...they leave out minor details that would otherwise get in the way, leaving only the important details that let you get the job finished quickly and easily.

   I recommend this book (and the entire series) to anyone interested in working on their home. Whether you are a beginner or experienced homeowner, this book will be the one you turn to for all your plumbing questions.




3. This book discusses many plumbing projects, including those which usually are considered the provenance of professional plumbers. A section lists and illustrates all the tools needed for work. The diverse topics in this book include: emergency repairs, the thawing of frozen pipes, unclogging of pipes no matter the location of the blockage; repairing a water boiler, faucet, shower, toilet, etc. There is also a section on home improvements, including the construction of an underground sprinkler system for lawn or garden.
   
   There are many drawings which illustrate the procedures and the plumbing. Some are cutaways. Otherwise, components that are below ground or otherwise obscured by other things are shown in faded color or gray.
   
   The authors give words of encouragement to the novice. They point out that any job, when done for the first time, is difficult. It gets easier with experience.

2 comments about Illustrated Guide to the International Plumbing & Fuel Gas Codes.

1. Accessibly written by Howard C. Massey (a master plumber with over 30 years of experience), Illustrated Guide To The International Plumbing & Fuel Gas Codes is a solid manual developed expressly to make the new 2003 international pumbling and fuel gas codes understandable to everyone. Extensive instructions, diagrams, self-test questions and answers, clarify the complexities of vent systems, sanitary drainage systems, hot water supply systems, gas piping, and a great deal more. A direct, no-nonsense resource, Illustrated Guide To The International Plumbing & Fuel Gas Codes is an authoritative reference confidently recommended for anyone involved in home plumbing installation or repair.



2. There is scant content on DWV design, which is the most critcal area of plumbing.

3 comments about Hot Tubs, Saunas & Steam Baths: A Guide to Planning and Designing your Home Health Spa.

1. Relax in a home spa - but choose one wisely: there are many models and possibilities on the market with a sometimes-bewildering array of features. Sanderfoot's Hot Tubs, Saunas & Steam Baths: A Guide To Planning And Designing Your Home Health Spa covers all these options, from colored waters which change hues according to mood desired to electric heater and cleaning problems, basic maintenance, to building an actual spa with wood and a steam generator. All the options are covered in a guide packed with charts, color photos, and more.



2. If you're looking to buy something off the rack and take care of it, this is all you need.



3. Purchased for my savvy husband who is interested in building a steam room. He enjoyed the overall view of the book. It has a glossary, supplier list, and index, which I think is very nice. However, it did not give any book titles regarding this topic to go more in-depth in one of the discussed areas. The front cover states, 'for planning and designing your home health spa'. It seems that would be only for those who would hire it done. If one is truly interested in building a home spa, this a good background book, but you will need to look elsewhere if you truly want to build one.