What books to buy

[HannahSpanner]

Hi! I am hoping someone can recommend some plumbing books for me. I am starting out on my own very soon and thought it would be a good idea to have some books in the van in case I come unstuck whilst on a job. Some sort of trouble shooting guide would be great but I'm not so hot at surfing the net and can never seem to find what I'm looking for. Many Thanks

 

[Goldspoon]

Reader's Digest Plumbing & Heating Manual

Home Plumbing by Julian Bridgewater is actually very good for the basics

JTL NVQ 2 book also good

Also I suggest printing off the entire FAQ from this forum, plus all the good links to pages, and put them in a folder in the van.

 

[Terrywookfit]

Keep a trained plumber in the back of the van!!

 

[doitall]

"The Course Cowboy" by Dr Drivel

 

[gas4you]

 

[leakydave]

WRAS book always very informative (but it has a crap middle and no exciting bit at the end)

 

[ollski]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Central-Heating-Fault-Finding-Repair/dp/0954601300/ref=pd_sim_b_img_1

 

[lightning]

All books from R.D. TRELOAR, even the collins diy on plumbing is good.

 

[kirkgas]

Hannahspanner are you a qualified plumber? or if not what quals do you have, it is a lot to take on to go self employed without much experience and relying on books, not trying to have dig just urge you to not take too much on early, i know plenty of experienced plumbers who have struggled on their own, good luck though

 

[Doctor Drivel]

"The Course Cowboy" by Dr Drivel

A fabulous book. It identifies cowboy practices and how to avoid them.

 

[oilman]

Hannahspanner are you a qualified plumber? or if not what quals do you have, it is a lot to take on to go self employed without much experience and relying on books, not trying to have dig just urge you to not take too much on early, i know plenty of experienced plumbers who have struggled on their own, good luck though

Just do what you can do, and be honest about the things you can't. You will get respect from worthwhile people, and the others you can do without anyway. Charge enough, don't do it cheaper than someone else, that's where people struggle. Working cleanly will make you stand out. You'd be amazed what a mess some "tradesmen" think is acceptable, their customers have other ideas, I know, they tell me. They also tell me not to worry about cleaning up when I've finished as they will do it. I don't listen, my mess, my job. People shouldn't be able to tell you've been there except for what they wanted doing is done.

First book I thought of was the Readers Digest book, and I hadn't read the posts at the time.