People sometimes say that your home is both your best friend and your lifelong adversary. By that logic, DIY plumbing is a pitched battle, frightening to wade into, and better executed with a strategy.
When you're looking for advice on your next DIY plumbing project, there are ample online resources that can help , including blogs, YouTube channels and more. However, if you're really serious about learning DIY plumbing skills, a book will often serve best, helping you approach plumbing with confidence and ensure your home is up-to-code.
Here are the top DIY plumbing books that you should read in 2025.
Best DIY plumbing books
If you're looking to add a plumbing section to your bookshelf, there are many books out there, from those that are entirely focused on plumbing to general DIY guides and home-maintenance folios.
Plumbing books might be an investment, but when you learn to repair plumbing systems yourself instead of hiring plumbers to do it for you, you'll save money, as hiring a plumber will almost invariably cost more . We aggregated some of the highest-ranking plumbing books on the internet, from updates to classic top sellers on Amazon to perennial favorites. Check them out for help with everything from installing smart plumbing tech to fixing a clogged sink.
Fox Chapel Publishing
The Ultimate Guide to Plumbing is a storied resource for DIY plumbers. The guide is updated periodically to ensure current information on contemporary plumbing guidance.
The 6th edition was updated in 2024, and while it currently has only a small number of reviews on Amazon, it builds on the same material that you'll find in the 4th and 5th editions , which each hold 4.6 stars on Amazon with more than 1,000 reviews.
Expect detailed how-to instructions and large, splashy photo illustrations. Designed for DIYers from beginner to veteran, the book will get you acquainted with everything from simple sink installations to septic system overhauls.
One Amazon user says, "I have DIY books that go back 50 years, from the days of B&W line illustrations. This series (I have Electrical too) covers tools, materials, planning and troubleshooting and uses illustration, but more importantly, a whole lot of very well done color photography. The knowledge in this book makes it possible for the budding or advanced DIYer to feel comfortable tackling a broad variety of plumbing work."
- Useful photo illustrations
- Covers many subjects
- Helpful for broad skill range
- Over 300 pages
- May get new edition soon
Cool Springs Press
The Black & Decker Complete Guide to Plumbing is a useful handbook for any DIYer who's ready to get into the world of plumbing systems. With guides to most everything from plastic water lines to the proper height of a water heater outflow pipe, it has all the information that a beginner to moderately-skilled DIYer will need.
This book might be too basic for true plumbing experts, but it's just right for many. Color photo illustrations help guide you through complex fittings.
The 8th edition was released in 2023 and has 4.6 stars on Amazon. While it has a relatively small number of reviews on Amazon, the previous edition also held the same 4.6-star rating with more than 850 reviews.
One Amazon reviewer says, "My father was a DIYer, and it appears I am one too. His book/magazine of choice was the Sunset Series, It's looking more like Black & Decker will be my go to (for DIY projects). Good photos, clear and concise writing, what more do you need?"
- Useful photo illustrations
- Clear instructions
- Updated codes
- Not for every pro
This fantastic visual guide is about much more than just plumbing. It's an illustrated walkthrough of the systems that make your home run, from the fittings and inner workings of your toilet to the interior of your thermostat.
If you learn visually and like to tinker, then these wide-ranging illustrations will appeal. Each page of How Your House Works features a full-color illustration with written explanations.
This 272-page resource isn't devoted entirely to plumbing, but it's certainly a boon to any DIY plumber. While the 2025 edition only has a handful of reviews, the 2018 edition is beloved on Amazon with 4.7 stars and more than 1,300 reviews.
One Amazon reviewer says, "Great reference book. It really explains so many practical things."
- Beautifully illustrated
- Full of useful explanations
- Excellent for visual learners
- More generally focused
- Less plumbing detail
While it's focused on the whole home, instead of just plumbing, the Code Check 10th Edition is an excellent plumbing resource. It summarizes and points you to the most commonly used parts of building codes, including the most up-to-date Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) info.
Chances are, if you're wading into DIY plumbing projects, you'll also be tinkering with other home systems. For example, it's hard to install a sump pump outflow system in a home that isn't built for one, without doing some cutting. This book shows you how to follow codes for both walls and plumbing, making it doubly useful for projects like these.
While it doesn't include how-tos that will teach you new DIY skills, this book will help ensure you're DIY projects are done safe and up-to-code.
One Amazon reviewer says, "This is a 'must have' for anyone doing building or home improvement! Quick guide is great for sanity checks. I love that the specific codes are listed, makes it easy when further research is needed."
- Useful for whole home
- Points to specific codes
- Illustrated
- Durable and laminated
- Only 32 pages
- Not only plumbing-focused
As with Code Check 10th Edition , this is a book that's designed to help your DIY projects comply with safety codes. This one, however, is all about plumbing and mechanical systems.
While Code Check Plumbing & Mechanical 6th Edition is much more focused on plumbing, it is a slightly older edition. This one was published in 2023. It might not be up to date with the freshest elements of the UPC in 2025 and beyond, but it does point directly to specific codes, helping you ensure that your DIY home improvements meet professional standards.
One Amazon reviewer says, "Great for keeping up with the plumbing code. I love these books; just the facts. This is not a 'how to book' you have to know what you are doing in general... Highly recommended!"
- Helpful code IDs
- Great for ensuring safety
- Detailed illustrations
- 2023 edition
- No how-tos
This short hardcover isn't just aimed at DIY plumbers, it's a resource for a wide category of home repairs. Produced by Popular Mechanics , it fits handy information on categories from screw types to pipe fittings into its 192 pages.
While this book isn't as encyclopedic as some of the others on this list, it's a good general-use resource for DIYers. If you're looking for a gift for a new homeowner that touches on plumbing skills without leading you down the sump hole, it's a strong gift.
Popular Mechanics How to Fix Anything features useful instructions as well as attractive photo illustrations that show you how to fix plumbing (and other types of) problems in the home.
One Amazon reviewer says , "I grew up reading my dad's Popular Mechanics magazines and wanted the same experience and knowledge for my own sons. We are always working on our house and the kids love to help. I fear their generation won't have much knowledge of fixing things or much desire to do for themselves on their own so this was the perfect book to spur that independence and confidence. It has sooooo much info. Definitely recommend!"
- Wide scope beyond plumbing
- Attractive color photography
- Strong coverage of basics
- Less detail on plumbing
Taunton Press
Plumbing (For Pros By Pros) isn't part of a series, instead it's a handy plumbing guide by a single author, Rex Cauldwell, a third-generation master plumber. If you learn better from a single, trusted authority than you do from a guide that's assembled by a group of editors, then this book might be for you.
In its 256 pages, Plumbing (For Pros By Pros) talks about rural plumbing issues like well pumps, as well as guides to timeless plumbing tasks like fitting pipes. It has a 4.5-star score on Amazon with 186 reviews.
While the book is full of timeless knowledge, the fact that it was published in 2007 does mean it will be behind the times in some respects. Because of this, we recommend that you double-check any codes mentioned within. Regardless, it's a strong resource.
One Amazon reviewer says, "Excellent book, very easy to read. Saved me literally thousands of dollars. I renovate an entire home and redid the plumbing work using Pex. This book covers every detail but still easy to read and provided plenty of pictures."
- Written by master plumber
- Wide scope
- Good photo illustrations
- Older publication
More to know about plumbing
DIY plumbing can be an intimidating task to take on. While we think that many plumbing tasks are well worth attempting yourself, others are better left to the pros. Sometimes, the benefit of getting a great plumbing book is that you realize that installing that sump pump might be beyond you.
If you're worried that a task is too challenging, don't be afraid to call a plumber. Without the proper know-how, getting into DIY plumbing can risk doing more damage to your home, which your homeowner's insurance may or may not help you cover .
