If you've ever had to call a plumber, you know firsthand that hiring a professional will cost you dearly. But saving money isn't the only major motivation behind DIY plumbing, as the well-informed routine maintenance of your systems can protect your entire home from water damage and a laundry list of other inconveniences. With HomeSkills: Plumbing, you'll gain a full understanding of the what, how, and why of plumbing work, from general theory and descriptions of the typical home plumbing system to detailed information on the most common materials, fittings, and tools. Your new set of skills-sweating copper tubing, solvent-welding PVC pipe, making solid compression connections, and others-will enable you to install or replace toilets, sinks, faucets, showers, garbage disposals, tubs, and much more. And you won't have to worry about staying on the cutting edge of plumbing technique: we've included sections on modern troubleshooting and repairs, as well as all the latest materials (such as PEX tubing), with information that's guaranteed to comply with current plumbing codes. Add to that the book's 300 foolproof how-to photos and the only thing you'll find overflowing is your wallet.

Check out our five other HomeSkills guides on carpentry, deck building, landscaping, tiling, and wiring.