(Published In 1891)

We illustrate herewith some of the details of recent plumbing-work in a new house at Massachusetts Avenue and Twentieth Street, Washington. D. C, that, without being novel or remarkable, indicates the style and character of plumbing executed in some of the new work of construction which is now rapidly increasing in Washington.

Figure 1 is a view of the kitchen and laundry boilers. The supply from street mains is through pipe A, with branch B to pipe F for direct house supply, and C to the filter D, through which all the water usually passes and is delivered, through branches G and E, to the kitchen sink S and the general supply F. I is the supply to the kitchen boiler J, which delivers hot water through pipe H, with branches K to the kitchen sink and L to the laundry boiler N. M is the hot-water circulation pipe, connected by branch O to the laundry boiler, and with circulation pipe P to the kitchen range Q. R is the sediment pipe for emptying boiler J.

The laundry boiler N is supplied through pipe T and can be emptied by pipe X. It is heated from a laundry stove W by circulation pipes V V, and delivers hot water through pipe U to the laundry tub and a servants' bathtub. It supplies also a distribution pipe for the rear part of the second floor. It is connected with kitchen boiler J by pipe L. Y Y are pipes supplying hot and cold water to a first-floor basin L L are supplies to an upper bathroom, and O is a branch connecting the circulation pipe M to the laundry-stove water-back.

Ordinarily boiler J alone is heated, and branches L L and Y Y are supplied from it. When, however, boiler N is in use, its supply may be supplemented by boiler J. Z Z are drips for emptying rising lines. Generally, valve a is closed and b and c are open, so that the whole supply passes through the filter D. Reversing these valves cuts out the filter, which can be washed out by reversing lever d and opening valves f and g.

Some Plumbing Details In A Wash Ington Residence 12

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sunken bathtub in the private toilet-room, which is in a second-story bay window. Figure 3 shows the setting and support of the tub and arrangement of supply and waste pipe, etc. T is a tank of ¼-inch iron, about 7x4x3 feet deep, supported on projecting joist, and secured to the main floor joist J J by wrought-iron hooks H H. S is the soil pipe receiving waste W W, etc. from bath, basin B, and water-closet. V V V are 2-inch vent pipes, branched from 4-inch stack W, which extends above the roof. Z is a 4x8-inch galvanized-iron local vent duct, which is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and ventilates the bathroom through register R. G is a gas jet to promote a constant circulation. A is a steam coil to prevent freezing in the chamber C, which is lined with galvanized iron.

Figure 4 shows one corner of the bathtub T, Figs. 2 and 3. A is the riveted iron tank, B B B the inside and outside tiled surface, F the cement setting; D a layer of brick; E is the inlet cock with hot and cold handles H and C respectively, G is a marble top, and I is the overflow pipe, which can be raised and hung on hook K, to empty the tub through waste pipe L.

Figure 6 shows the detail of connection of waste, etc. A, B, D, F, J, and L are the same as in Fig. 4. The brass overflow pipe fits closely into the brass ferrule N, and is supported from its upper flange by the rubber wing N, which is confined by the shoulder M. Ferrule N screws into brass sleeve O, which is finally secured by its top flange and the jam nut P. Another ferrule Q is secured to O, and connected to the 2-inch lead waste pipe L by a wiped joint R.

The plumbing was executed by Reynolds & Murphy, of Washington, and is comprised chiefly in one laundry-room, one servants' water-closet and bathroom, one butler's pantry, two tiled bathrooms, one chambermaid's sink-room, one dressing-room, and the kitchen A private 6-inch iron sewer runs outside three sides of the house and receives all leaders and soil pipes. Harvey Page, of Washington, was the architect of the house, and John S. Larcombe the builder.