The Washington times., 1906-08-27
WATER AND FRESH
AIR TREATMENT FOR PIPES

II more housewives would keep their
drainage pipes clean and have plenty of
fresh air around them, especially IN the
summer time. there would De fewer
plumbers bills and less annoyance from
Clogged outlets. and the odors that
usually accompany them.
Pipes leading from kitchen sinks. laun-
dry and bath tubs cannot be cleansed
too often for the health of the persons
living in an apartment, declares a san
itary Inspector Of the De~artment Of
Health.
Wash out all drainage pipes once a
day" he says. "and in this way make
sure there viii be no stoppage in the
drains. and unless an accident occurs
no need for a plumber. II is necessary.
In nay opinion, that mines leading from
kitchen sinks be thoroughly cleansed
once a day for hygienic as well as for
practical reasons. for there is always
some grease in dish water that clngs
10 the pipes. and if not cleaned this
forms an accumulation that viii clog
them
Too much care cannot be taken of
these drains, and all hOusekeepers
should warn servants against throwing
The remnants of food into sinks and
letting water flow through them carrying
grease and particles of edibles into the
waste pipe Ii nothing but soapy dish
water and liquids used in cooking are
turned into kitchen sinks. and they are
properly cleansed each day with hot
water and laundry soap. and once in
two or three weeks with a solution of
hot water and washing soda or lye,
there will not only be no Odor from the
DRAWINGS, but the pipes will carry of all
fluids rapidly.
In the daily cleaning the best plan
is 10 let hot water. either with OF with
out soapsuds. run slowly through the
pipe and wash out the grease that
clings 20 the lead or iron. 1 suggest
pouring water through drains slowly.
because if il runs down rapidly there IS
less chance of its cutting and washing
away the clogs Of dirt and grease. A
splendid method for the average house
wife 10 follow is 10 turn on slow
stream of water from the hot faucet
and let IL run for three or hve min
Utcs after washing the dishes at each
.sVVhen cleansing with boiling water
and washing suds the same plan OF
slowly pouring IT through the drain
must he followed. To make this wash
ing most effective / would pour NNe water
into the pipes steadily for about nFe min
utes. then visit five before again dump
ing this cleansing fluid into the drain
When about TWO gallons nave been
flushed through in this way a woman
may be reasonably sure that the drain
age pipes are clean and free from
grease
III lye is used in the hot water in
stead of washing soda, care must be
taken in its preparation, or the sclu-
tion may be so strong that il viii be
injurious 10 the lead pipes, In making
this wash put about a quartef or a
Cue-pOund can into two gallons Of boil
ing water and when u Is dissolved ana
well mixed pour slowly into the drains.
Care OF laundry and bath tub drain
pipes should be simple. for. as a rule,
no greasy water is run through the
drainages OF either of these II after the
tubs have been used hot water OF boiling
water and sOapsuds is flushed into the
pipes for three or I'VE minutes they
should be perfectly clean.
Occasionally lint from washed cloth
ing win collect around the tops OF the
laundry tub drains and prevent water
from flowing freely through them. When
this happens the simplest way OF clear
ing the pipes Is To take hairpn or
sharp pointed stick of some kind and
literally pick out the threads ana DTS
o. linen. This is tedious work, hut VIII
often save "a plumbers bill, besides an
told Inconvenience. once the lint is out
good flushing with hot water and
washing soda or a solution Cr lye VIII
leave The drainage clear and clean.
To inexperienced hOusekeepers ! want
10 say that IT is an easy matter 10 tell
when a drain pipe is beginning 10 be
clogged with either lint or grease. for
Ihe water does not run off quickly, and
frequently packs up in the tubs and is
not carried or for twenty or thirty
or thirty minutes When the water runs
as slowly as this the sign is unmistaka-
bly, that or clOgEed pipe. which should
be attended To at once with gallons OF
washing soda or lye. end not left until
the water runs through il without stop
ping
That drain pipes need ventilation and
plenty OF fresh air is q fact that few