(Published In 1889.)

Some time ago we had occasion to note the attempt of some plumber, we think in Cincinnati, to deceive the inspector in regard to the tightness of his drain pipes, by putting a plug in the upper part of the soil pipe and filling the part above with water, thus giving ing the false impression that all the pipes were filled and subjected to pressure.

A similar trick is reported in the Asbury Park Journal as having been recently tried in that place.

One of the requirements of the health laws governing Asbury Park is that all plumbing, upon completion, shall be examined and tested by the Inspector of Plumbing. The principal test is to see that the whole system in a house is perfectly air-tight, so that sewer gas may not escape, and for this purpose the ends of the pipe are sealed up and an air pump with pressure gauge is attached. Air is forced in the pipes until a pressure of five pounds to the square inch is attained. As soon as the pump is stopped the gauge will quickly indicate the presence of a leak; if it stands at the required notch for a certain length of time the test is deemed satisfactory.

In this case, a plumber doing business in Asbury Park informed the Board of Health that he had completed the work on a house and was ready to have it inspected. Inspector Lippincott went to the building and was met there by the foreman plumber, who remarked to him that he had a hard time to get the job tight. The air pump was attached, and the first two or three strokes indicated pressure on the gauge. This was unusual, and excited the suspicion of the inspector, for in a line of large pipe it requires more time to compress the air sufficiently for it to show on the indicator. The pressure went up to five pounds and stood there firmly, and the inspector then went upstairs to look over the line of pipe. He requested the foreman to open one of the capped inlets, but before doing so the foreman made an excuse to go downstairs after his tools. When the cap was removed no air escaped, and the inspector then knew that some trickery was being practiced. Returning to the pump he found there was no pressure on the gauge. The foreman declared that he had not touched it when he came down after his tools. The pump was again worked and the pressure immediately went up to five pounds and stood there, although the pipe was open upstairs.

The pump was then removed, and in the pipe, about 2 feet from the end, was found a plaster of Paris plug, calked in with oakum, that effectually shut of the passage of air, so that not a single joint of the house drain pipe was subjected to pressure. When the foreman saw that the trickery was exposed he confessed that he and his helper had plugged the pipe. The boss plumber claimed to know nothing about it, and charged it all on the two men.

Inspector Lippincott deserved praise for his quick detection of the fraud, and the owner of the house can thank the Board of Health for defending him against having a dangerous construction erected in his house, when he had contracted for and paid for a first-class job.

The houseowner doubtless appreciates the efficiency of the inspector and the value of the plumbing law.