Cool Springs Press Black and Decker The Complete Guide to Plumbing Updated 8th Edition: Completely Updated to Current Codes

A practical companion for real-world plumbing projects

A few weekends ago, I pulled this plumbing guide off the shelf to sort out a kitchen sink swap that had snowballed into a mini-renovation: new sink, new faucet, add a dishwasher, and tidy up some questionable trap geometry under the basin. The book earned its keep right away. It’s a straightforward, photo-rich reference that walks you through planning, choosing materials, and executing the work without drowning you in jargon.

What this guide does well

• Step-by-step clarity: Each project breaks down into clean, numbered steps with full-color photos. I appreciated the quick callouts that label parts in the photo—flange, tailpiece, trap adapter—so you’re never guessing what you’re looking at.
• Visual consistency: The authors use the same symbols and icons for safety, code notes, and tips throughout. It sounds minor, but it makes flipping around to compare methods (say, PEX crimp vs. copper sweat) a lot easier.
• Practical sequencing: The book pushes you to do the unglamorous work first—shutoffs, supply line checks, trap dry-fit, vent considerations—so you don’t end up caulking a sink before realizing the disposer’s discharge is too high.

Projects I ran through with it

• New kitchen sink and faucet: The guide’s sink installation chapter helped me measure for a proper cutout, deal with the mounting hardware, and choose the right sealant approach for a composite sink. The faucet section explains how to choose and position the deck plate, route pull-down hoses, and avoid kinks that sap flow.
• Dishwasher addition: The section on appliance hookups covers the basics clearly—dedicated shutoff, braided hose sizing, and drain routing. It flags the difference between a high loop and an air gap, including where local code might push you one way or the other. That saved me a return trip when I realized my jurisdiction still expects an air gap on new installs.
• Trap cleanup and vent sanity check: The chapter on drainage and venting helped me correct a flat run under the sink and confirm that the trap arm slope was correct. It also clarified the difference between a true vent and common quick-fix “solutions” that aren’t code-compliant.

Tools, materials, and methods

This guide is strongest when it’s helping you choose between materials and techniques. It explains the advantages and tradeoffs of copper, CPVC, and PEX without pretending there’s a single “best” answer.

• Copper: There’s a solid primer on cutting, deburring, and sweating, with photo sequences that make it clear when you’ve overheated the joint. If soldering makes you nervous, the troubleshooting tips (dull solder bead, chalky flux residue, pinhole leaks) are helpful.
• PEX: The book covers both crimp and expansion systems, including the tools you’ll need and what a good ring looks like after compression. It also explains bend radius and anchor spacing so your lines don’t hum or rub.
• Push-to-connect fittings: There’s a balanced discussion—useful for repairs or tight quarters, but be mindful of cost and the need for clean, burr-free cuts.

I also liked the fixtures guidance. Toilet installs are treated with respect for the details that matter—flange height, closet bolt alignment, and wax ring vs. wax-free seals. Lavatory, tub/shower, and tub trim are all handled with easy-to-follow sequences and exploded diagrams.

Code awareness without the lecture

The book is updated to current codes and uses “code check” boxes to keep you out of trouble. Those notes were handy for:

• Minimum slopes for drain lines
• Trap arm distances and vent rules
• Clearances around fixtures
• Anti-scald considerations for tub/shower valves

It’s not a substitute for your local code, and the book never pretends to be. But it consistently nudges you to verify local requirements, which is exactly the right tone for a guide aimed at DIYers and homeowners.

Troubleshooting and maintenance

The troubleshooting sections are practical and concise. I used the toilet chapter to sort out a phantom flush (the book pointed me straight to a slow flapper leak), and the water hammer note helped quiet a noisy clothes washer by suggesting a valve strategy before jumping to arrestors. The book also covers the low-friction wins: cleaning aerators, replacing supply lines, servicing cartridges, and diagnosing slow drains without immediately reaching for a bottle of chemicals.

Layout, usability, and build

At 288 pages, it’s comprehensive without being bloated. The index is decent, and the table of contents is straightforward. The book is a standard, sturdy paperback—it doesn’t lie perfectly flat like a spiral-bound shop manual, but it holds up fine on a bench with a clamp or a tool resting on the page. Photos are bright and informative, and captions usually include what tool is being used and why.

If I have a nitpick, it’s that a few photo sequences would benefit from one extra frame between “before” and “after” when the action happens quickly (for example, the split second where solder wets the joint). That said, the text fills most of those gaps.

What’s missing or thin

• Heat pump water heaters: If you’re shopping or planning a conversion from a standard electric tank, you won’t find much guidance here beyond general water heater practice. You’ll need a supplemental resource for placement, condensate handling, and ducting considerations.
• Thermal expansion tanks: There’s basic water heater coverage, but I would have liked a tighter treatment of when expansion control is required and how to size and set a tank properly.
• Thermostatic mixing valves: Anti-scald mixing is mentioned, but the book could go deeper on whole-house mixing valves and point-of-use options, especially with varying code expectations.
• Non-U.S. systems: The methods and terminology are U.S.-centric. If you’re working with metric fittings, push-fit-centric ecosystems, or local standards outside the U.S., expect to translate some details.

None of these are deal-breakers for general residential plumbing work, but if your project intersects with newer technologies or you’re outside the U.S., plan to augment with other references.

Who it’s for

• DIY homeowners tackling repairs, fixture swaps, and small remodels: The format builds confidence and reduces surprises. If you can follow a recipe, you can follow these procedures.
• Newer tradespeople or cross-disciplinary remodelers: It’s a good refresher on fundamentals, safe practices, and sequencing—a solid way to avoid the common “I wish I’d measured that first” mistakes.
• Landlords and property managers: The troubleshooting and maintenance sections help prioritize what you can handle in-house and what needs a licensed pro.

If you’re a seasoned plumber, this isn’t intended as a code commentary or a hydronics text, and it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a hands-on field guide for residential fixtures and piping layouts.

Practical tips I picked up (and used)

• Dry-fit every drain component and mark alignment before final assembly. It makes solvent welds and trap installs go much smoother.
• Anchor PEX runs thoughtfully to avoid singing pipes, and mind bend radius at cabinet penetrations.
• Plan dishwasher drains early—checking for air gap requirements can save a countertop rework.
• Always replace old supply lines during a faucet or toilet swap. The book treats this as standard practice, and I now do too.

Bottom line

The Black & Decker plumbing guide is a clear, dependable resource for getting residential plumbing jobs done safely and correctly. It combines step-by-step photos with practical code pointers and spends its energy on the decisions that trip people up—material choices, sequencing, and the small details that make a project feel professional.

Recommendation: I recommend this guide for DIYers and anyone handling routine residential plumbing tasks. It’s approachable, thorough where it counts, and confidence-building. Just be aware of its limits around newer water-heating technologies and expansion control, and if you’re outside the U.S., expect to supplement with region-specific guidance. For most household projects, though, this is exactly the kind of book you want open on the bench when you pick up your wrench.