Plumbing business books to help you work better

Plumbing is a very profitable career path and a perfect trade for those looking to start their own business. But, at the same time, it’s a career in which continual learning is essential. 

Advancements in technology and social trends mean that plumbing techniques are constantly being upgraded to include the latest and most environmentally friendly industry practices. 

To help you stay up to date with the latest trends and give your plumbing business the best chances of success, here are some of the best plumbing business books to help you work better:

• Create an Oasis with Greywater (Art Ludwig)
• International Plumbing Code (International Code Council Series)
• Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters (Lee Smith)
• At Your Best as a Plumber (Juan Carosso)
• Plumbing (R. D. Treloar)
• Residential Construction Academy: Plumbing (Michael A. Joyce and Ray Holder)
• The Great Stink of London (Stephen Halliday)

For more information about becoming a self-employed business, try our other articles, How to run a successful plumbing business and How much does it cost to start a plumbing business?

Greywater refers to any domestic wastewater that’s usually discarded, including sinks, showers, baths, washing machines or dishwashers.

In his book, Art Ludwig provides innovative uses for greywater in other areas of the house as well as general plumbing advice. These are just some of the topics he covers:

• Irrigate with wash water.
• Relieve strain on your septic tank.
• Purify wastewater in an eco-friendly way.
• Increase your water security.
• Make homes more resilient to drought, flood, and climate change.
• When to use greywater. 
• Health and safety guidelines. 
• Biocompatible cleaners.
• Greywater plumbing essentials. 

Ludwig’s advice is accessible to every level of plumber and landscaper, from professionals to DIY enthusiasts, making it one of the best plumbing business books for the environmentally-conscious business owner. 

Part of the International Code Council Series, the International Plumbing Code is a regularly updated, comprehensive set of codes and regulations for plumbing systems. 

The codes ensure safe practices for the benefit of building occupants and the public, covering topics like:

• Backflow prevention.
• Fixtures & fittings.
• Water supply and distribution piping.
• Water heaters.
• Sanitary drainage and venting.
• Traps, grease interceptors & separators.
• Storm drainage.
• Nonpotable water systems.

Like most industries, plumbing is constantly evolving with the advancements in technology and environmental focus, so having the latest copy of the ICP will help both novices and veterans stay up to date on all the latest practices and safety regulations. 

If you’re looking to keep your maths skills up to scratch, the 8th edition of Mathematics for Plumbers and Pipefitters is a perfect addition to your bookshelf. It covers all the essential theoretical knowledge that you’ll need on the job, including:

• Physics. 
• Volume. 
• Pressures.
• Capacities.

Then, it shows you how to apply those skills in specific practical situations, such as:

• Pipe length calculations.
• Sheet-metal work.
• Builder’s level.

The latest edition also covers the business side of the plumbing industry. It offers advice, examples, and resources that you can use to build a successful career. 

Although it mainly concerns being a plumber in the US, Carosso’s work is still an excellent resource for anybody looking to progress in the plumbing industry, from apprentices to business owners. 

This handy, step-by-step guide gives practical advice to help you advance your plumbing career at every stage of the journey. Even if you’re only considering joining the trade, At Your Best as a Plumber will help you decide if it’s the right choice by asking difficult questions, like:

• What does a plumbing career look like?
• Why become a plumber?
• How much can you make?
• What are your career options?
• How long does it take?
• How do you find work?
• What does it take to run a small business successfully?

A well-known industry staple, the 4th edition of Plumbing remains the definitive textbook for plumbing and heating and gas installation. Its detailed colour illustrations, double-page spread, and clear photography make it an ideal resource for students working towards qualifications or as a reference point for experienced plumbers.

Alongside an entirely new section on energy conservations and sustainability, the latest edition includes updates on these sections:

• Ventilation.
• Sanitation, hot water safety, and water efficiency.
• Drainage and waste disposal.
• Conservation of fuel and power.
• Electrical safety.

Residential Construction Academy: Plumbing is an excellent reference for plumbers at all levels. It goes into great detail about plumbing basics and has an entire section on troubleshooting plumbing problems.

To help keep your skills sharp, each chapter ends with review questions, applicable codes, practice procedures, and a critical thinking exercise.

While it probably won’t help you much in the way of running your plumbing business, The Great Stink of London is still well worth a read. 

Halliday tells the story of Sir Joseph Bazalgette and his involvement in the “Great Stink”, an incident that happened during a particularly hot London summer in 1858. 

It all started because of the overwhelming amount of sewage stirred by tides in the Thames. The resulting smell was apparently so foul that it forced Members of Parliament out of the chamber of the House of Commons. 

Desperate to fix the problem, Bazalgete was given the mammoth task of improving London’s outdated sewage system. At the very least, it’s an amusing tale that could act as inspiration the next time you’re asked to do a big job in a small time frame. 

The books we’ve mentioned can help your plumbing business in many different ways, but they won’t help you make your financial management easier. For that, thousands of business owners use the Countingup app. 

Countingup is the business current account with built-in accounting software that allows you to manage all your business finances in one place. With features like invoicing on the go and cash flow insights, you can confidently keep on top of your business finances wherever you are. 

Find out more here to start your three-month free trial today.