Introduction
Modern Plumbing provides basic information about the tools, materials, equipment,
processes, and career opportunities in the plumbing field. The text is written in simple,
nontechnical language and is heavily illustrated.
Modern Plumbing includes the latest information on installation and repair tech-
niques, as well as recent developments in materials, fixtures, and appliances. The text-
book covers both hand and machine tools, and supplies the background knowledge
needed for vocational competence.
The new edition of Modern Plumbing has been reorganized to facilitate learning. The new
edition is divided into 33 chapters that are grouped into five sections. Many chapters from the
old edition have been updated and expanded for more thorough coverage of important topics.
Additionally, this textbook includes chapters on excavation, plumbing remodeling, and plumb-
ing history.
Hundreds of photographs, illustrations, and charts will make it easier for you to under-
stand the many technical details involved in the plumbing trade. Color is used throughout the
new edition of Modern Plumbing to represent different components and materials. A color key
is used to help identify specific materials and components.
Various type styles are used throughout this text to emphasize words, identify important
terms, and highlight figure references. Italic type is used to emphasize words and terms. For
example, the word not is often printed in italic type when it is imperative that an operation be
avoided. Important terms appear in bold-italic type. These terms are defined when introduced
and most are listed in the Technical Terms list at the beginning of the chapter, as well as the
running glossary. Bold type is used for the figure references in the body of the text. This makes
them easy to identify.
A Job Practice Manual is available to complement this textbook. The manual contains addi-
tional review questions, as well as activities to help you develop the hands-on skills needed to
succeed in the field. The chapters in the manual are correlated to those in the textbook.
Apprentices, vocational students, construction trade students, and anyone interested in
plumbing will find Modern Plumbing a valuable aid in learning how plumbing systems are
designed, installed, and maintained. Experienced plumbers who want to review basic
plumbing techniques and/or study the recent developments in the plumbing field will also
find this book helpful.
E. Keith Blankenbaker
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