The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-02-18
Cleaning Out Waste Pipes.

The annoyance arising from the stop
page OF waste pipes in country houses,
although very great, is but small mat
ter compared with the dangers which
may follow obstructed pipes The
''sewer gas" about which so much has
been written and which is so Justly
dreaded, is not, as many suppose, the
exclusive product of the sewer Indeed,
the foulest, most dangerous, and deadly
gases are not found in the sewers them
selves, but in the unventilated waste
pipes and those which are in process of
being elogged by the foul matters pass
ing through them. Any distractions in
the soil or waste pipes are therefore
doubly dangerous, because it may pro-
duce an inflow of foul gas into the pipe,
even though the entrance to the sewer
itself has been entirely cut off.
The question is how to get rid of the
accumulations in pipes partly stopped or
already closed. Digging up and clean
ing out is costly remedy, often inef-
fectual by reason of careless workmen
The second is the plumbers force pump,
which is usually only a temporary relief.
In pipes leading from the house to the
SNcotoOl tiiClC 10 IL NOHSldHl
ton of grease. This enters as liquid
and hardens as the water cools, and is
deposited on the bottom and sides Of the
pipes. As these accumulationS increase,
the waterway is gradually contracted,
till the pipe is closed
When the pipe is entirely stopped, or
allows the water to flow away by drops
only, proceed thus: Empty the pipe
down to the trap, or as far as practica-
BILE, by ''mopping up" with cloth If
water flows very slowly, begin when the
pipe has at last emptied itself. Fill the
pipe up with potash, crowding it in
with a stick. Then pour hot water
upon it in a small stream, stopping as
soon as the pipe appears to be filed.
As the potash dissolves and disappears,
add more water. At night little heap
of potash may be placed over the hole,
and water enough poured on so that
supply of strong lye will flow into the
pipe during the night. Pipes that have
been stopped for months may be cleaned
out by this method, though it may cali
for three or four pounds of potash. The
crudest kind, however, appears to act
as well as the best. If the pipe is par
italy obstructed, q lump of crude potash
should be placed where water will drip
slowly upon it and so reach the pipe.
1t is also well to fill the upper part of
the pipe with the potash as before, and
allow hot water to trickle upon it. Soda
and potash are both used for the pur-
pose of removing greasy distractions,
and the usual method of application is
to form a strong lye and pour it into
the pipe. 1t is better to put the potash
into the pipe, because the water which
it contains. instead of diluting, helps to
form the lye. As water comes in con-
tact with the potash it becomes hot,
thus aiding in dissolying the grease.
Potash, in combination with grease.
forms soft or liquid soap, which
easily flows away, while the soda makes
a hard soap, which, if not dissolved in
water, would in itself obstruct the pipe.
When pipe is once fairly cleaned
out, the potash should be used from.
time to time, in order to dissolve the
greasy deposits as they form, and carry
them forward to the cesspooi or sewer.
The potash is very valuable for this pur-
pose, because, in addition to its grease
solving powers, it is exceedingly de-
structive to all animal and most veget-
able matters, The most dangerous and
deadly gases appear to come from
urinals and wash-basin pipes. these, in
many cases, seeming to be more foul
than those from water closets. The de-
cay of the soap and animal matter
washed from the skin appears to be the
sources of the gases. The potash will
be effective in keeping these pipes clear,
and in this way may lessen the dangers.
a Correspondent IN tie american
artisan,