The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
New Handy Site On Plumbing
A Plea for Correct Sewerage
The close of the century witnessed a most remarkable development in the construction of plumbing and house drainage. Heretofore many earnest, well-meaning individuals not appreciating the importance of correct drainage, were inclined to sacrifice this vital factor in their buildings, to the adornment of their reception, dining and other rooms, not realizing that the very decorative feature on which so much time and expense were spent, might conceal a lurking enemy in the disguise of DEADLY SEWER GAS.
The presence of drain diseases, such as typhoid and scarlet fevers, dysentery, etc., coming frequently from no apparent cause led inquiring minds to investigate and as a result of their investigation, we attribute much of the improvement now noted in modern edifices. The same art which was heretofore employed for the embellishment of the more favored portion of a dwelling is now applied to bath and toilet rooms and their accompanying accessories, and knowledge and refinement have superseded ignorance and neglect. While all of this is a laudable step in the right direction, still it must be borne in mind that attractive fixtures may be attached to defective drains and a state of corruption may exist amidst the daintiest surroundings.
House drains convey from the house the liquid and solid refuse which animal life rejects. Waste is a necessary accompaniment in all conditions of life. The accumulated waste from food, clothing, bathing and other simple acts of daily existence tends to decay, which naturally becomes offensive and must be removed, or disease will ensue.
The drain therefore which encircles the abode and conveys the matter from dwellings must be absolutely perfect, even the slightest imperfection creates a chronic state of ill health or puzzling anemia and oftentimes death. Every builder should weigh these facts well, he should familiarize himself with the drainage system of his house and adopt only that which is convincingly trustworthy in every respect.
There is another danger which must not be overlooked. Many families having closed up their homes during a period of travel, perceive on their return an offensive odor permeating the different apartments.
For weeks, perhaps, there has been no water seal in the traps, the ascent of sewer air has been continuous, so that not only the air is utterly unfit to live in but curtains, carpets and other absorbing furnishings have become saturated with the pollution thus acquired.
The difficulty is simply this—The water which stands in the traps of house pipes and which shuts off gases from the sewer when wash basins, etc., are in use, not receiving its customary supply, evaporates during the absence of occupants, and gases from the main sewer are permitted to enter.
