The complete guide to plumbing : current with 2015-2018 plumbing codes

Book Details

Title	Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Plumbing: Current with 2015-2018 Plumbing Codes
Author(s)	Editors of Cool Springs Press / BLACK+DECKER
Publisher	Cool Springs Press / Quarto Publishing Group USA
Year	2015
Edition	6th Edition
Language	English
Pages	307
ISBN	978-1-59186-663-3
Genre	Home Improvement / Plumbing / Do-It-Yourself / Construction & Trades
Series	Black & Decker Complete Guide
Size	112.83 MB
Extension	PDF

Summary

Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Plumbing — Updated to Current 2015-2018 Plumbing Codes is the sixth and most thoroughly revised edition of one of the most authoritative and widely used residential plumbing guides ever published for the DIY homeowner and trades professional. Produced by the editorial team at Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA, in partnership with BLACK+DECKER — the globally recognized leader in power tools and home improvement resources — this 307-page guide represents decades of accumulated expertise distilled into a single, accessible, and technically rigorous reference work. What distinguishes this edition from its predecessors is its complete alignment with the 2015-2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) cycles, ensuring that every technique, material recommendation, and installation procedure described in the book meets current legally enforceable building standards. For homeowners who want to do their own plumbing work correctly — and for contractors and inspectors who need a reliable code-current reference — this guide is an essential tool.

The book is organized to take readers from foundational knowledge through increasingly complex projects in a logical, progressive sequence. Early chapters establish the essential vocabulary and conceptual framework of residential plumbing, explaining how supply systems deliver fresh water under pressure, how drain-waste-vent (DWV) systems carry wastewater away by gravity, and how the two systems interact with the fixtures and appliances throughout a home. Pipe materials — including copper, CPVC, PEX, and ABS — are covered with clear guidance on when each is appropriate, how to cut and join them correctly, and which fitting types are required for code compliance in different jurisdictions. Readers learn to read plumbing plans, understand fixture unit calculations, properly size supply and drain lines, and design installations that will pass inspection the first time.

Beyond the fundamentals, the guide delivers detailed, step-by-step coverage of the full range of residential plumbing projects that homeowners are most likely to undertake. Bathroom remodels receive extensive treatment, including toilet installation and replacement, bathtub and shower pan installation, faucet and valve replacement, and the addition of entirely new bathroom rough-ins in previously unplumbed spaces. Kitchen plumbing projects are covered in comparable depth, addressing sink installation, garbage disposal integration, dishwasher supply and drain connections, and ice maker line installation. The book dedicates full chapters to water heater selection and replacement — covering both conventional tank-style units and tankless on-demand systems — as well as sump pump installation, outdoor faucets, and irrigation system connections. Each project is presented with numbered instructions, close-up photography of critical steps, and callout boxes highlighting code-specific requirements and common installation pitfalls.

The primary audience for this book encompasses a broad range of readers, from first-time homeowners attempting their first fixture replacement to experienced DIYers tackling full bathroom additions or basement conversions. The guide is structured so that less experienced readers can build their knowledge chapter by chapter, while more skilled users can jump directly to the specific project or technique they need. Building and plumbing inspectors will also find the book's code references useful as a cross-check against the standards they enforce daily. Contractors working on residential projects — particularly those who may not have had formal training in the most recent code cycle — can rely on this volume to verify that their methods remain current and compliant. The absence of jargon-heavy language and the consistent use of visual instruction make the material accessible without sacrificing the technical accuracy that professional users require.

As the sixth iteration of a title that has been continuously refined over more than two decades, this edition of The Complete Guide to Plumbing carries the accumulated trust and market validation of one of the best-selling DIY plumbing references in North American publishing history. The BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series, of which this volume is a part, has set the standard for professionally produced, photographically rich, and technically reliable DIY instruction, and this plumbing volume is consistently cited among the strongest entries in the series. Its code-current alignment — a feature that distinguishes it sharply from older plumbing guides that remain in widespread circulation despite being outdated — makes it especially valuable in an era of increasingly stringent building inspection requirements. Whether downloaded as a PDF for on-site reference or kept on a workshop shelf as a permanent resource, this guide represents a genuinely indispensable investment for anyone who works with residential plumbing systems.

Key Features

• Fully updated to reflect the 2015-2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requirements, ensuring every installation method described meets current legal standards.
• Covers all major residential pipe materials — copper, CPVC, PEX, galvanized steel, and ABS — with clear guidance on cutting, joining, fitting selection, and code-appropriate applications for each.
• Explains the complete architecture of residential plumbing systems, including supply lines, drain-waste-vent (DWV) configurations, fixture unit calculations, and proper pipe sizing for new installations.
• Provides comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for bathroom remodels of all scales, from single fixture replacements to complete new rough-in installations in previously unplumbed spaces.
• Addresses kitchen plumbing in full detail, covering sink and faucet installation, garbage disposal wiring and plumbing, dishwasher connections, and refrigerator ice maker line installation.
• Dedicates a full chapter to water heater installation and replacement, covering both conventional tank-style units and modern tankless on-demand systems with code-compliant connection methods.
• Includes guidance on outdoor plumbing installations, including frost-proof hose bibs, irrigation system connections, and underground supply line installation for detached structures.
• Features code-compliance callout boxes throughout the text that highlight specific IRC and UPC requirements relevant to each project, helping readers avoid costly inspection failures.
• Covers sump pump selection, basin excavation, discharge line routing, and check valve installation — a critical chapter for homeowners in flood-prone or high-water-table regions.
• Presents a detailed chapter on toilet selection and installation, including wax ring replacement, flange repair, fill valve and flapper replacement, and the installation of low-flow and dual-flush models compliant with current water conservation codes.
• Illustrates every key technique with professional close-up photography taken during actual installations, with each image numbered to correspond directly to its written instruction for zero ambiguity.
• Part of the trusted BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series, a publishing program with over 200 titles and millions of copies sold, guaranteeing editorial quality and construction accuracy throughout.
• Serves as both a learning resource for homeowners new to plumbing and a reliable code-current reference for contractors, inspectors, and tradespeople who need to verify their practices against current standards.

About the Author

This volume was produced by the Editors of Cool Springs Press, the specialist DIY and home improvement editorial division operating under Quarto Publishing Group USA, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cool Springs Press has spent more than three decades developing and refining the BLACK+DECKER Complete Guide series, building a team of professional editors, technical writers, certified tradespeople, and construction photographers whose combined expertise spans every major discipline of residential construction. The plumbing editorial team responsible for this volume includes experienced plumbing professionals who contributed hands-on technical oversight throughout the production process, ensuring that every technique and code reference was verified against the actual standards of the 2015-2018 code cycle. Their work reflects both the rigorous editorial standards of Quarto Publishing Group and the practical construction authority of the BLACK+DECKER brand, which has been synonymous with professional-grade home improvement tools and resources since 1910.

BLACK+DECKER Corporation, whose brand and trademark appear on the cover under editorial license, is one of the world's most recognized manufacturers of power tools, hardware, and home improvement products, with operations spanning more than 100 countries and a product history covering well over a century of innovation. The company's decision to lend its name and authority to the Complete Guide series reflects a long-standing commitment to empowering both professional tradespeople and motivated homeowners with the knowledge, tools, and techniques needed to perform high-quality work. The ongoing collaboration between BLACK+DECKER and Cool Springs Press has produced more than 200 home improvement titles — covering everything from plumbing and electrical work to landscaping and structural carpentry — that collectively represent the most comprehensive and commercially successful DIY book series in the North American market. This sixth edition of The Complete Guide to Plumbing is the most recent and authoritative expression of that partnership's work in the plumbing category.

Related Books

• Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Wiring, Updated 7th Edition — Editors of Cool Springs Press
• Black & Decker The Complete Guide to Home Plumbing: Featuring the Latest in Water-Conserving Fixtures and Fittings — Editors of Creative Publishing International
• Plumbing: Complete Projects for the Home — Gary D. Branson
• Ultimate Guide to Plumbing, Updated 4th Edition — Creative Homeowner Press
• Plumbing a House — Peter Hemp
• Home Plumbing Illustrated — Steve Ettlinger
• The Complete Book of Home Inspection — Norman Becker
• Plumbing for Dummies — Gene Hamilton, Katie Hamilton

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q : What specific plumbing codes does this edition cover, and why does code currency matter for DIY plumbing work?

R : This sixth edition is specifically aligned with the 2015-2018 cycle of both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), the two primary model codes adopted — in whole or in part — by the vast majority of jurisdictions across the United States and Canada. Code currency matters enormously for DIY plumbing because local building inspectors enforce the code version adopted by their jurisdiction, and work that does not meet current code requirements can result in failed inspections, mandatory removal and replacement of completed work, and complications when selling the property. Older plumbing guides, even excellent ones, may describe materials or methods that were permissible under previous code cycles but are no longer compliant — a problem this edition specifically addresses by updating every relevant technique and material to current standards. Homeowners who use this book can undertake their projects with confidence that the methods described will satisfy inspection.

Q : Does the book cover PEX pipe installation, and how comprehensive is that coverage?

R : Yes, PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe receives thorough coverage in this edition, reflecting its rapid adoption as the dominant material for residential water supply systems due to its flexibility, freeze resistance, and ease of installation. The book explains the different PEX types — PEX-A, PEX-B, and PEX-C — and their respective advantages, and covers the three primary joining methods: expansion fittings, crimp rings, and clamp rings. Guidance on manifold-based home-run systems versus branched trunk-and-branch configurations is included, giving readers the information they need to choose the system best suited to their home's layout and their own skill level. Tool requirements for each joining method are clearly specified, with step-by-step photography demonstrating each technique in detail.

Q : Is this book sufficient to guide a homeowner through adding a completely new bathroom to their home?

R : Yes, adding a new bathroom is among the more complex projects covered in the book, and it receives correspondingly detailed treatment across multiple chapters. The guide addresses the planning phase, including determining whether existing drain and vent stacks have sufficient capacity to serve new fixtures, how to size new supply and drain lines, and how to route new pipes through walls, floors, and ceilings with minimal disruption to finished surfaces. Rough-in dimensions for toilets, sinks, and showers are provided, along with guidance on proper venting requirements — one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of new bathroom plumbing. Readers are also directed to obtain the necessary permits and understand the inspection sequence before beginning work, which is essential advice for a project of this scope.

Q : How does the book handle the difference between supply system and drain-waste-vent system work?

R : The book treats supply and DWV systems as distinct disciplines with different underlying principles, tools, and code requirements, and dedicates separate foundational chapters to each before bringing them together in the context of specific projects. The supply system chapters focus on working under pressure, selecting appropriate pipe materials and pressure ratings, proper joint preparation and sealing techniques, and the importance of shutoff valves and pressure regulation. The DWV chapters explain gravity-flow principles, the critical importance of proper slope (typically 1/4 inch per foot of horizontal run), trap requirements for every fixture, and the venting configurations that prevent siphoning and allow drains to flow freely. This parallel treatment ensures readers develop a solid conceptual understanding of both systems before attempting any installation work.

Q : Does the book provide guidance on working with older galvanized steel pipes found in pre-1960s homes?

R : Yes, the guide addresses the reality that many older homes still have galvanized steel supply pipes that are approaching or have exceeded their service life, and it provides practical guidance on diagnosing failing galvanized systems, determining when repair is possible versus when full replacement is warranted, and making the transition from galvanized steel to copper or PEX using appropriate dielectric unions and transition fittings. The challenges specific to galvanized pipe — including internal corrosion that restricts water flow, thread stripping on old fittings, and the difficulty of cutting and threading pipe in confined spaces — are acknowledged and addressed with practical workarounds. This coverage makes the book particularly valuable for owners of mid-century and older properties who face plumbing challenges not found in newer construction.

Q : How does the book address water heater installation, and does it cover tankless systems?

R : Water heater installation receives dedicated chapter-level treatment in the book, covering both conventional storage tank water heaters and tankless on-demand systems, which have grown significantly in popularity due to their energy efficiency and space-saving footprint. For conventional units, the guide covers selection criteria including tank size and first-hour rating, proper connections for both gas and electric models, temperature and pressure relief valve installation and discharge line routing, and code-required seismic strapping in applicable regions. Tankless systems are addressed with equal specificity, covering the higher gas supply or electrical capacity requirements these units demand, proper venting for gas-fired models, and the minimum flow rate requirements that determine whether a whole-house or point-of-use unit is appropriate for a given application. Code-compliant installation details for both system types are integrated throughout these chapters.

Q : What makes this edition more useful than free online plumbing tutorials or video guides?

R : While online tutorials and video guides have their value for quick reference, they rarely provide the systematic, code-current, and contextually complete instruction that a professionally edited book of this depth delivers. Online content varies enormously in quality, is frequently outdated with respect to current code requirements, and seldom addresses the full range of variables — different pipe materials, soil conditions, regional code adoptions, fixture configurations — that a homeowner is likely to encounter in a real project. This book's code alignment, comprehensive project coverage, integrated safety guidance, and professional photography provide a level of reliability and completeness that fragmented online resources cannot match. It also serves as a permanent, searchable physical or digital reference that can be consulted at any point during a project without depending on an internet connection in a utility room or crawl space.