Why is the latter course objected to?

In case of a settling of the floor, shrinkage of the wood, or rotting of the floor, a break in the joint and a leakage of sewer gas is liable to follow.

Why are rubber ells recommended for connecting the flush pipe with the water closet?

They do away with the liability of cracking, which often follows when the coupling is of metal, and is rigid. When of this latter style, any settling of the house or floor, or any movement of the fixture itself will crack off the horn of the water closet.

What advantage has the syphon water closet over the washout water closet?

In the syphon water closet, the energy of the flush is exerted without loss, producing complete syphonage under atmospheric pressure. This, in addition to the bowl wash, gives the trap a cleansing which no other water closet receives. In the washout water closet, much of the energy is wasted in removing the deposit before the trap is reached. This same loss of energy is noticed in the old pressure closets, where the water is sent around the bowl. It effects the bowl, and does good work at that point, but neglects the trap. The syphon water closet is also more noiseless than the washout.

Why is a syphon water closet comparatively noiseless?

The inlet of the flush to the closet being sufficiently submerged, meets a resistance in the deep seal of the trap, and this resistance or check being under water, the noise is in a measure destroyed.

What is the objection to dark water closets or water closets in cellars?

Every water closet or other plumbing fixture should have the benefit of sunlight and ventilation. The sun in particular is destructive to germ life. The water closet, or any plumbing fixture for that matter, cannot be kept too clean and pure, and a supply of sunlight and fresh air is well nigh indispensable to this end.

Why would an unvented water closet be more apt to syphon if at considerable distance from the stack?

With the long line of horizontal pipe the waste would move slowly, and a slight obstruction in the pipe might cause the water to set back sufficiently to fill the pipe and trap, and when this volume of water finally moved off, syphonage would be very liable to occur.

Why should water closets situated near the stack be vented?

If there were fixtures on the floor above, a heavy fall of water from them would to a certain extent exhaust the air in the stack as it passed down. The air in the stack not following so fast as the water, this partial vacuum is not supplied with air quickly enough to prevent a few drops of the water closet seal being forced out by atmospheric pressure. If this is continued for a long time the entire seal will be destroyed.

Is it necessary to vent a water closet that is situated on the top floor, close to the stack, with the stack passing through the roof?

It is not, for there is nothing to produce syphonic action.

How would you decide which valve was leaking in a water closet tank, with both valves under water?

As a rule, if the tank was full, with the ball submerged, and running into the overflow of the tank, the supply valve would be the one to look to, but when there is a leak through the closet, with the tank only partially filled, the flush valve should receive attention.

Why should not an earthen water closet be salted, and what should be used?

In the case of earthen water closets, the salt is liable to pass through the earthen bowl and show on the outside. Parafine oil should be used.

At what height should water closet tanks be set?

As near six feet from the floor to the bottom of the tank as possible, for the best results.

What should be the size of water closet tanks?

The seven-gallon tank is the best size, although many use the five-gallon tank.

In what other ways is the flush tank operated besides by the pull and chain?

By the weight of a person on the seat, and by opening and closing of the door. These methods are used principally in public buildings, to avoid dangers arising from the use of the closet by ignorant persons who do not understand the principle of modern plumbing work.

How large a space should be required for a water closet?

Although a good, liberal room is always desirable, where there is a shortage of room a space two feet by four feet is as small as should be considered.

Why should water closets be prohibited that are not exposed to the sunlight?

No plumbing fixture should be located where sunlight never enters, for the sun's rays are the best possible destroyers of almost all kinds of germ life.

How does the low-down water closet act?

In the low-down water closet we do not have the benefit of the head of water that we have in the ordinary tank closet. To overcome this, it becomes necessary to increase the size of flush pipe in order to produce syphonage in the closet. With this increased size, even though we do not get the head as from the elevated tank, we are enabled to quickly throw a quantity of water into the closet, sufficiently great to fill the trap, and thus make the syphon operative.