The New York herald., 1876-12-16


It must be remembered by householders
in New York that we have entered on o sea-
son during which the water supply must
necessarily be one of the most important
questions in domestic life. In the early fall
the setting up of the stove and its contingent
lengths Of pipe formed the chief subject Of
discussion in many family circles; but now,
when the icy breath of winter searches the
smallest hooks and crannies of our houses
and plays fantastic tricks with the plumb
ing, it is necessary to adopt precautions
which have been, perhaps, neglected in
many instances. During periods of ex-
treme cold, such as we have just ex-
perienced, exposed water pipes are liable
to be frozen up and the supply of Gro
ton cut off at the most inconveDient times.
There is also nm element of danger in this
condition of affairs which it is we'll to guard
against. Variations of temperature occur
SO frequently, even in mid-winter, that
q thawing out of the ice obstruction in
the pipes takes place as suddenly as a
freezing mp. Consequently the housekeeper
is not unfrequently surprised by an inflow
of water, which, if it does not cause
the waterback Of the kitchen range to
explode, may deluge the house from
open taps or neglected cisterns. Water
when it freezes expands about .075 per
cent, thus exercising an enormous pressure
on the pipes. If these are of iron there is
little danger of their bursting, but if of
lead an! of the ordinary weight per foot,
the tenacity of the metal is not sufficient to
resist the immense strain, and the pipes
burst open, with longitudinal rupture.
There are only two ways of guard
effectual but inconvenient, is to cut off the
water at the main, and procure q supply
by the pailful for domestic purposes. The
other is to guard the pipes from freezing by
protecting them with a proper non-conduct-
ing substance which will keep the water at
the same temperature rs that in the mains
AS a general rule too little regard is paid to
the plumbing of our dwelling houses. The
pipes are laid so as to be beyond the control
of the housekeeper unless he tears up his
flooring md digs away in cellars and under
sidewalks to reach them. If this is not
done the first precaution must be adopted.
If it is, then the best way to save the
pipes from freezing up is to surround
them with at least one foot Of fine dry
ashes or clean sand, where laid in the
ground. Where they are laid along walls
or under flooring exposed to cold
currents of air the pipes should be cased
in wooden boxes, filed with dry sawdust,
and in such a manner that the covering can
be easily removed when warm spring weather
returns. By this simple means an uninter-
rupted supply of water can be secured
during the coolest winter season, and the
hygienic condition of the house kept at a
healthy standard by insuring the flushing
of water closets, sinks and sewer pipes.
It is safe rule for tenants to demand
of their landlords the underground pro-
lection of the water pipes when renting
houses. Itwould be a poor piece of economy
for the latter to refuse this necessary expen-
diture of a few dollars. The Department of
Buildings should insist on builders laying
underground water pipes il ashes or sand,
and the exposed pipes in such manner as to
facilitate their being properly protected in
winter. Another important point worthy of
the attention Of the inspectors of buildings
is the strength Of lead pipes. If these are
put in too light they will cost more in the
end than really substantial fittings A vast
waste Of water may be saved by the proper
authorities insisting that there shall be no
.'slop work" done by the plumbers.
The Doubt and tho spade.