How may large bodies of sewage be handled by means of the automatic sewage lift?

By connecting a number of these lifts together, they may be made to handle many hundreds of gallons per minute.

What is an automatic sump tank?

An automatic sump tank is a device for disposing of the sub-soil drainage, floor drainage, etc., collecting at points below the sewer level.

What is the mode of operation of the automatic sump tank?

The drainage is conducted into the tank and discharged in practically the same manner as in the automatic sewage lift.

How is the plumbing system made ready for the water test?

After the "roughing-in" is completed, that is the soil-piping and venting, but before the fixtures and their traps are placed in position, all waste and vent ends are closed by soldering or capping, and all soil pipe openings closed with the exception of the roof pipe. The system is then ready for the water to fill it.

Describe a properly constructed refrigerator drip pan.

The box used for this purpose should be so lined that the lining will pitch from all sides sharply to the outlet hole, in order to allow sediment to drain off as much as possible. To the under side of the pan the refrigerator pipe should be soldered. Just below the top of the pipe a strainer should be placed inside the pipe, to prevent the passage of foreign substances, and a screw cleanout should be placed in the outlet where it enters the pan, to allow the waste to be capped over during the part of the year when the refrigerator is not in use.

What is the Durham system of plumbing?

In operation and in all its principles, the Durham system does not differ from the ordinary system of plumbing. The only difference between the two systems is that the piping of the Durham system is of wrought iron or steel, and all joints are screw-joints.

What style of fittings are used on the Durham system?

Cast iron screw fittings of the recessed style.

Why are recessed cast iron fittings better adapted to drainage work than fittings such as steam or water fittings?

For the reason that in using recessed fittings, the inside of the fitting and the inside of the pipe line up, while in the use of other fittings the pipe projects inside the fitting, forming shoulders with sharp edges, at which points accumulations of lint, etc., may easily collect. The use of recessed fittings is not accompanied by this objectionable feature.

What is the chief advantage claimed for the Durham system?

It is claimed by advocates of the Durham system that owing to the fact that a screw joint is as strong and rigid as the pipe itself, the Durham system is stronger and more substantial than the common cast iron system.

What great objection is there to the Durham system?

Experience shows that for drainage purposes, pipe of wrought iron or steel is far shorter lived than cast iron pipe. The result is that while the cast iron system lasts indefinitely, the Durham system must be renewed or pulled out after a period of years.