Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1921-09-28
PLUMBING AND THE HOME
Plumbing An Important Factor in the
Planning of a Home

eessary the plumber is to safeguard
ing the health of your family?
We hear no wand again criticisms
and sometimes abuse, regarding mis-
methods and practices, even to the ez-
tent OF his being nuisance, when mis-
services are required to make needed
repairs. There is the proverbial help
er, his furnace and blow torch
wrenches and heavy tools. Yet soon
err or later he must be employed and
after his work is completed to our
great convenience and satisfaction. his
bill is received. 1t is then he comes
in for his worst deal. The charges
seem so high and there was so much
time wasted going back to the shop.
only to return with some tool left out
of his kit. And what he has done is
concealed under the floor or behind
the wall, with nothing to show for his
efforts. His charges seem outrageous
and he is consigned to the class of
people known as highwaymen or ban
dts.
Too often the plumber has been con-
sidered joke, while poets and funny
story writers have pictured him in as
ridiculous manner as their wits
could portray.
Now we offer no excuse for the
plumber. He does not require one.
He is servant worthy of his hire
and performs his duty as ably as any
other mechanic, while his task is often
more difficult and unpleasant.
A good mechanic is not plumber
but a good plumber who has served
his apprenticeship and time, is me-
cbanlc of no mean order.
1t is no joke when you are about
to receive and entertain guests to be
informed that the water pipe leaks,
the sikh trap is clogged with grease,
or something else wrong. Really, one
forgets all about the edverse criticism
of the plumber and hastens with very
gracious behavior to call upon him
to give relief from ones distress. 1t
would do no good to call the doctor,
carpenter or painter to correct the
difficulty. 1t is the plumber only who
can be of real service. 1t may be
early in the morning or late at night.
Mr.. Plumber must be availible and
sufficiently accommodating to respond
at once to your call, that you may be
saved annoyance and destruction to
your property.
To begin with, we must take the
plumber as we fnd him. He is no
different when it comes to transacting
business than any other mechanic.
He works, however, under different
rules and regulations. He must be
licensed by the Department of Public
Services in the city or county where
he is located and operates. His IL
cense is obtained only after ne has
passed an examination covering his
practical and technical knowledge ac-
CURED by his apprenticeship at the
trade.
He also must have shop equipped
with very expensive tools for carry
ing to the trade.
Another obligation required is for
him to be bonded by a surety or cas-
ualty company. Otherwise he could
not obtain permit TO carry on his
work.
Work Set Out for Plumber
We will imagine the plans filed and
work about to begin in your new
home. The plumber first connects
with the water main in order that SER
vice may be obtainable for the mason
and other contractors. At the pro-
per time he will connect the house soil
lines with the street sewer, using pipe
prescribed by the proper authorities
From the architects plans he finds
the location of different fixtures and
then proceeds to install the cast-iorn
pipe leading to them. 1t is necessary
for all joints to be made water and
gas tight and proof against the test
of smoke or peppermint. To do this
all open ends are capped, except for
the one where the test is to be made
If there are any perforations or leaks
however small, they will be detected
by the odor of the escaping chemical
used. Water and gas are sufficient
enough in themselves to prove leaks
in their lines, if they occur. Each
fixture in the house, such as the bath
tub, lavatory, shower, toilet, sink OF
wash tray must be trapped and each
trap vented The vent pipe usually
extends through the roof, where pro-
per flashing is applied to prevent
leaks from rain or snow. The ventil-
ating system has a two-fold purpose
namely, carrying off the sewer gas
and doors that are contained in the
pipes and to prevent syphoning of the
traps.
When the plumbing is completed
anu tCSlCu IilCIC Will JIG ilO NiAcitSC IOl
the gas to escape into the house, en-
dangering the health of your family
Perhaps with this brief relation OF
facts you will see wherein the plumb
er is so potential factor in protect
ing you from disease and discomfort
To be sure, there are good and bad
plumbers, good and bad workmen, rea-
sonable and cheap contractors, excel
lent and inferior plumbing fixtures
but we all know thatin the long run
the best is the cheapest. So, wher
choosing your plumber employ the
man with good reputation, and in
selecting you fixtures take time tC
make your own choice at showrooms
maintained for this particular pur-
pose.
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