The Complete Handbook of Plumbing
For professionals, contractors, and property owners who need to understand, choose, install, and maintain plumbing systems correctly
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Understand how plumbing systems work, choose the right materials and configurations for your application, install correctly, and troubleshoot failures—all in one practical reference.
About this book
Plumbing is infrastructure: it carries pressurized water into buildings, drains waste safely out, and connects to municipal or private systems that most users never see. When it works, it's invisible. When it fails, it floods basements, contaminates water, or leaves buildings without service—and repairs are expensive.
This handbook treats plumbing as a system with measurable requirements: pressure ratings, temperature tolerances, chemical compatibility, and code compliance. It covers water supply systems (from meter to fixture), drainage and venting networks, material selection (copper, PEX, PVC, cast iron, and others), installation standards, maintenance schedules, failure diagnosis, and troubleshooting. Whether you're a licensed plumber, a contractor, a property owner managing your own building, or a serious hobbyist, you'll find concrete guidance on selecting the right materials and configurations for your specific situation, installing correctly, maintaining routinely, and diagnosing and fixing problems when they occur.
The handbook also covers the business side: where to source materials and equipment, how brands and suppliers position themselves, and real opportunities in plumbing contracting, service, and consulting.
Reader Reviews
Jonathan Roberts
★★★★★Jonathan Roberts: As a property manager overseeing four commercial buildings, I've been burned by contractors who couldn't explain why they chose certain materials or configurations. Chapter 1 alone clarified how supply and drainage systems actually work—I finally understand pressure, venting, and why cast iron vs. PVC matters for different situations. The material specs in Chapter 2 are exactly what I needed to evaluate quotes intelligently. My only gripe is that Chapter 6 could go deeper into licensing and bonding requirements by state, but otherwise this is the reference I'll keep on my desk.
Andrew Gonzalez
★★★★★Andrew Gonzalez: Solid handbook. I'm a plumber with 12 years in the field, and I found the troubleshooting section genuinely useful—the diagnostic flowcharts in Chapter 5 help me explain what I'm finding to customers in plain language. The material compatibility table saved me from a potential code violation on a recent job. Would've rated five stars, but some of the brand positioning in Chapter 6 felt dated even though I know that's a moving target in publishing.
Anthony Robinson
★★★★★Anthony Robinson: Good practical information, but I expected more on the business side. I'm thinking about starting a plumbing service and bought this for the fundamentals, which are solid. The installation and maintenance chapters are clear and concrete. My issue: Chapter 6 on business opportunities is pretty brief—I needed more on pricing models, customer acquisition, or markup strategy for a new contractor. Still useful, just not quite what I was hoping for given the back-cover promise.
Karen Gonzalez
★★★★★Karen Gonzalez: Finally, a plumbing book that doesn't condescend and doesn't oversimplify. I'm a serious DIYer restoring an older house, and Chapter 1 explained why the original cast iron drains are failing and why I can't just swap them out for PVC in one afternoon. The codes, material tolerances, and failure modes are all real—not watered down. The glossary is actually helpful, and the FAQ chapter answers the exact questions I've been asking contractors. This is the book I'm recommending to friends doing renovations.
Ryan Taylor
★★★★★Ryan Taylor: Exactly what I needed for my renovation consulting business. The material specs and installation standards are detailed enough that I can spec a job without having to call the supply house every time. One thing: I wish there were more case studies showing what happens when you ignore a particular requirement or choose the wrong material—stories stick better than abstract specs for my clients. Still, this is my go-to reference now.