The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Care And Repair Of The House
If the house is left vacant during the winter months it is safest to have the water shut off at the official stopcock in the street to prevent freezing between the cellar wall and the main shut-off.
In modern plumbing, separate shut-off cocks are often provided below the sink, lavatory, water-closet, or other fixtures, for convenience when repairs are to be made, so that the flow of water may be cut off from any one fixture without disturbing the flow to the other parts of the system. (See fig. 18, facing p. 63.)
It is important that all members of the family know where these various shut-offs are located, in case of emergency.
3. HOW TO DRAIN THE PIPES AND SYSTEM
For minor repairs, such as replacing a washer in a faucet, the temporary shutting off of the water from the branch shut-off (described in sec. 2 of this chapter) is sufficient. Where extensive repairs such as pipe changes, are proposed, the main water supply should be cut on and the pipes drained. If the fires are allowed to go out, and the house is to be vacant during cold weather, it is a wise precaution to drain the entire water system, to guard against freezing and resulting damage.
To drain the pipes, first shut off the water, as previously described. Then, starting at the top floor, open all faucets on the way down. When the water from the faucets ceases to run, the small cock or cap in the main pipe valve may be opened or the plug removed to drain into a bucket or tub what little water remains.
If the house is to be vacated during the winter, in addition to draining the pipes, the water still remaining in the traps under sinks, water-closets, tubs, lavatories, and showers, should be removed by opening the traps and draining them, or by forcing the water out by means of a force pump, or by drawing it out with a suction pump or siphon hose. The traps may then be filled with kerosene, crude glycerin, or some similar no freezable liquid to form a seal against bad odors from the waste pipes. Alcohol and kerosene mixed is a good solution to use, since trie kerosene will rise to the top and prevent evaporation of the alcohol.
The water-closet tanks should be emptied by flushing, after the water hag been turned off. and any surplus water taken out with a sponge or cloth. The water-closet traps can be cleared of water by means of a sponge tied to a stick or wire.
