The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
Care And Repair Of The House
Tools.
Screw driver, monkey wrench, plumber's friend, a small scoop or spoon-like instrument, a piece of stiff wire bent to form a hook at one end. and possibly a coil spring-steel auger with which to bore out the pipe.
Materials.
For dissolving congealed grease masses and for an occasional flushing out of the drain, caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) and hot water are recommended.
Steps to be Taken.
Raise or remove the strainer or grating which covers the drain box. Dig out the dirt with some ladle like tool as far as it can be reached, and then, with the hooked wire or coil spring-steel auger, clean out the bend or trap. There may be a removable clean-out plug above or below the trap to facilitate this work. When the drain has been thus cleared, as much as possible, pour a pail or two of hot water into the mouth of the pipe to wash out any remaining particles.
To remove greasy material, which sticks to the sides of the pipe, or to dissolve an accumulated mass of such material, pour a hot solution of caustic potash into the drain. Directions for the use of this chemical are contained in section 10 of this chapter.
Before replacing the strainer, see that all of its holes are open, and remove all dirt clinging to the underside.
If water seldom flows into the floor drain, the water seal may evaporate and allow sewer gas and objectionable odors to enter the building. To avoid this odor, it is advisable to pour a pail or two of water into the drain occasionally to insure a permanent seal in the trap.
12. CARE OF REFRIGERATOR DRAINS
A refrigerator or ice-box waste pipe should not be directly connected to the house plumbing system. If it is allowed to drip into a floor drain, the drain should empty into an open sink, which is trapped like other fixtures, a down spout or rain-leader trap located inside the building, or a cellar floor drain. In any case both ends of the refrigerator waste line should be left open.
These precautions are necessary to prevent sewer gas or vermin from entering the food compartments of the refrigerator. The slime prevalent in refrigerator waste pipes would probably clog up the plumbing waste pipe, if the pipes were directly connected.
If there is a floor drain under the refrigerator, it should be cleaned frequently and the waste pipe flushed thoroughly with hot water to remove the slimy substance. Similarly, the refrigerator itself, including its drip pipe and trap, should be scoured and scalded out occasionally to keep it clean and sanitary. The drip pipe and trap are usually removable so that they may be easily cleaned. The trap, when filled with water, prevents warm air and odors from entering the refrigerator.
