Plumbing Basics

What will you do if your faucet springs a leak, if your sink stops up, if your toilet valve breaks? You know it's going to happen at some point--so be prepared, by knowing how home plumbing systems operate, from top to bottom, and how to handle repairs on everything from tubs to dishwashers. Written by an expert with a knack for breaking down complex tasks into bite-sized, digestible nuggets, this manual wades through the different components and shows how they interact; lays out the dizzying array of required tools and materials; jumps into the logistics of working with pipes; helps you confront those emergency leaks and clogs; groups faucets into five common types and explains how to fix each one; unravels the mysteries of sinks and toilets, and provides a handy guide to replacing common fixtures. You'll feel supremely confident when you have to do it yourself.