How would it be possible to shut off the flow of water in a pipe which was not supplied with a stop cock?

This result might be attained by freezing the water in the pipe at such point as it was desired to shut it off. This can be done by packing around the pipe a mixture of fine ice and salt, or by packing the pipe with ice, using perhaps a bushel of it, and pouring onto this a pint of ammonia. In a short time the pipe will be frozen solid, and after the necessary repairs have been made, the pipe may be thawed out.

How To make a deep seal trap for rain leaders.

In trapping rain leaders, a special trap can be formed with quarter bends, which will give a much deeper seal than the ordinary trap. As there is no chance ordinarily to renew the seal during a prolonged drought, this form of trap would seem much the safer, as the seal of the common trap often becomes broken from evaporation. The leader trap should always be used if there is no main trap provided, and each leader should be independently trapped. This deep seal trap may be made by caulking together three quarter bends if it is a P trap, or four quarter bends if it is a running trap.

How To start a hard thread.

This can often be accomplished by heating the fitting and then running into the thread a little beeswax. This will penetrate the thread thoroughly and usually enable the joint to be unscrewed.

Forty-five degree measurement.

To get a 45 degree measurement, add to the distance between the centers of the two parallel lines of pipe, 5 inches for each foot of such distance, and at the same rate for fractional parts of a foot. This will give a close approximation to the true measurement.

How To wipe a joint with paper.

In an emergency, when it is impossible to procure the regular wiping cloth, a good joint can be made with paper. Fold the paper several times, grease it well with tallow, and with care a fair joint may be wiped.

Paper lining for wiping cloths.

If the wiping cloth is so thin that the heat of the metal burns the hand, it is a good idea to line the cloth inside with paper. This will make a good nonconductor, and will help to keep the shape of the cloth.

How To take a dent out of lead pipe.

To take a dent out of lead pipe that cannot be removed by the drift plug, solder on securely to the indentation a strip of lead or tin, and after warming the pipe pull gently, being careful not to pull out a piece of the pipe. While working out the dent in this way, the dresser may be used to help the work along.

How To make an insertable joint on a line of soil pipe.

When it becomes necessary to break out a section of soil pipe, and there is no chance to raise or lower the pipe, cut off a short piece of pipe of the next larger size than the pipe in question, and into this caulk a piece of pipe of the same size as that broken out. The larger size now virtually becomes a long hub, and can be slipped up onto the pipe above, and dropped down into the hub below. By being careful the upper joint can be securely caulked.