The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1901-1901, 1901-08-26
CLOGGING THE PIPES
ksENSleLE SERMON ON HOUSEHOLD
SANITATION.


some suggestions About the Plumb
ing and the Care That Should he
Exercised In the Avoidance Both of
Expense and Disease.
Nowadays the plumber and his bill
are your true household specters. Like
other specters, careful common sense
will put them to rout and confusion
nine times in ten. Wise men have been
studying this subject ever SO long to
devise plumbing that would take care
of itself, but they have not yet sue
ceeded. Neither are they likely to
| without revolution in mechanics
whereby the tendency of fluids always
to seek their own level may be elimi-
mated and other things as wonderful
| brought to pass. so long as knowledge
remains nearly static SO long will it
behoove every housemistress to look
well to the usage of her pipes and her
traps.
| A bit of rag or even string, burnt
match, a wisp Of hair, seems very lit
tie thing, one that the pipes can carry
off with no possible hurt, but the rag,
by hanging over the bend of the trap,
may serve as a siphon to take away the
water seal, which is all that stands be-
tween the household and unlimited
sewer gas. And the rag may keep on
doing 1t for weeks and weeks until
deadly disease is rampant.
| A string snarled and twisted may
work the same i'll. The match end, Of
course, ought to float away harmless,
but is very much likelier to be caught
in some eddy Of the flush water. jam
med into crevice and there to take to
itself other solid particles until they
form clot both offensive and danger
GUS.
AS for hair, there is no end to the
harm 1t harbors. A wisp quickly forms
itself into a sort of strainer, catching
and holding all that passes. Aside
from that, it has trick of lodging in
the most inconvenient places. catching
upon the least roughness inside the
pipe and staying there until by accre-
ton it has clogged the whole space.
Hair has special affinity for bits Of
soap. Solid soap, by the way, should
never be sent down the pipes. Very
strong soapsuds even is Objectionable
unless you follow it with n flood Of
clean water. preferably hot water.
Coffee grounds and tea leaves either
clog n pipe very soon or else. If the
flush water prevents that. wear it
through quickly, partly by mechanical
action, partly by chemical. Neither
should ever be permitted in sink.
Even If you are wise enough to keep
out all grease, and thus make sure that
the grounds shall get safe away from
your own pipes, in the sewer they may
come in contact with grease from pipes
less carefully kept and cake and clog
your whole pipe system. making neces'
sary costly and inconvenient unclog
ging.
Every kitchen ought to have its grease
can, emptied once week in winter
and in summer every three days. All
sorts of refuse fat should 60 into 1t
even the scrapings from plates ant
} dishes. Greasy water, as from boiling
, hams or corned beef, should be allowed
to cool thoroughly. then have thu
grease carefully taken off before 1t gOe'
down the pipes. Skillets and frying
: pans ought to be filed with very ho
soda water and let stand half an hou
before washing. This gives time TO
the soda to partly saponify the greas
and keep it from sticking to the pip
or caking on top of the trap.
In securing faucets be careful to keel
the securing grit out Of the joints
Even the finest particles cut ava,
4 screw threads turning many times
day. After securing also take care t
let the water run Mt least minute bt
;. fore catching any for use. In wasl
!. ing sandy vegetables, as spinach. tut
nips, potatoes, use big pan and drai
off the dirty water, SO the sand may b
caught. Even spoonful Of sand &
r, ing down a pipe will cut and wear
more than a hogshead Of water.
Milky water Is one Of the hardes
Il things to manage. Even small quar-
tity daily fouls pipes unless the milk
water is followed by flushing Of sod
water moderately strong, with a lim'
II water flush about every three day
Inc umeWater IS uluue uloTe eucStN
by adding salt to it. Sea salt Is hes
e. Put a lump as big as the fist In a
!. earthen or wooden vessel along wit
:. twice the bulk Of quicklime and cove
with four gallons Of hot water. st
we'll and let settle. Pour the clea
liquid down the pipes and follow 1t
m half an hour with flush Of clear WI
c. ter boiling hot. Thus every kind Of
If sink may be kept sweet and fresh.
New York Sun.
CT