The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-11-16
Prepare Yourself for Cold
Weather and Poor Gas.
Hints ON Taking Care of Pipes
in Zero Times.
DON'T LET THE WATER run
May Freeze in Waste Pipe
Then Troubles Begin.
Hot Water Is Best for Thawing
Purposes.

With most delightful prospects for a
gas shortage this winter, Topekans are
| interested in the care of their water
pipes. A water pipe, frozen until only
| a gasp greets the man of the house
| as he slips into the bathroom on a cold
/ frosty morning, is one of the most
| fearful mysteries of the household.
Here are a few hints gathered here
and there-hints that will cheat the
plumber out of a good many bills if
they are followed this winter:
The man who is going to occupy
new house should ascertain that pro-
per protection from winter weather is
afforded all water and gas pipes, both
outside and inside the house. If these
pipes are not properly protected there
will be many repairs necessitated by
frostbite before the first winter is over.
The right time. of course, to see to the
plumbing is when the house, is build
ing. Sanitary engineers imply that
builders are not always sufficiently
careful about this important item OF
construction, and it is up to the owner
to ascertain the local fluctuations or
temperature and make arrangements
to meet the demands of the hardest
winter known in the section OF coun-
try n which he builds.
Service Pipes Below Frost Line.
The service water pipe to the house
should be laid under the frost line and
should have a cutoff, or gate valve,
placed near it's departure from the
city main and also below the frost line.
If there is any doubt about the proper
depth it is well to cover the pipe with
several inverted plank bookings, each
enough larger than the one Immediate
ly below in order to leave a blanket
of nonconducting air. between the
planks. The boxing should extend the
entire length of pipe from water main
20 fI70 Gil
piping in horse manure. which is re-
newed once yearly, is a tried expedi-
ent, successful so far as nOnfreeZinS
is concerned, but an unpleasing
thought to any one familiar with the
permeability of structures and osmotic
action. Packing with sawdust has not
been found satisfactory, as the SawduSt
absorbs moisture. Pipes laid under
well sodded ground are better protect
ed than those with no turf above.
Protection of Pipes Inside the House.
Pipes passing through the cellar
should when possible be suspended
from the cellar ceiling rather than be
1t. The cellar doors and windows may
be closed up before cold weather and
opened only on mild and sunny days
for ventilation. Pipes which run be-
tween joiStS are often exposed to con-
slant drafts of cold air, and when
found in this situation the openings
above and below them should be
closed with packing or cement. Pipes
should never be placed against out
side walls. Such unnecessary situa-
tons are sometimes selected by the
unthinking. Such a situation may
result in the bursting of the pipe not
in one, but many, places throughout
the exposed area. When pipes are
found so exposed they may be tenn
porarily wrapped in wool felt, but it is
much better to have them removed to
a less exposed area.
Don't Let Water Run.
With the onset of minus zero wealth !
er there should not be one leaking
faucet in the. house. and the water
ming at night, for while this gentle |
trickle may keep the supply from
freezing it is more possible that the |
slow current through the waste pipe |
will freeze at the drain and obstruct |
the sewage exit.
Shut off the water at the outside |
gate valve and empty every pipe by |!
opening all the faucets.
When Pipes Are Frozen.
Fortunate is the housekeeper who |
has never listened to the despairing |
chokes and gurgles of frozen water
pipe on the coolest morning of the |
winter. Hot water is then her best |
friend, but it must be heated on the I
gas stove or brought from a neighbor-
ing supply. To start the range when
The kitchen faucet refuses to flow only
a worse trouble-the
bursting of the waterback. Boiling
md very hot water, a candle or alamp
must be used to thaw the supply pipe.
II the outside service pipe or water