Plumbing 



219 



visible, and the ordinary tests which might well pass over the instance cited 

 would avail nothing here; the overflow pipe is plainly visible. Besides being easier 

 to get at and keep clean, it is neater and far healthier. Water-soaked woodwork 

 becomes filthy in a very short time; the invasion of the water invites other 

 moistures and the adherence of much that is unsanitary. For this reason wood 

 should be avoided when there is danger of its becoming wet. 



When we meet the lavatory in ordinary life it is just plain "basin." The 

 term originally meant "a place of washing," and as such it stands to-day. The 

 common form is the porcelain basin proper, with the marble slab and back. 

 This slab is supported by brackets, and the basin is fastened to the under side 

 of the slab. This is not as good as the procelain article made all in one piece, 

 although if the latter should become broken it means the replacing of the whole, 

 whereas the former, being in separate parts, may be a less expensive job. The 

 all-porcelain lavatory is supported either on one or more legs or on brackets, 

 as one desires. It is probably the experience of everyone that a leg of any kind 

 is continually in the way. Perhaps if our own were modelled on other lines and 

 had less turned up in front for 

 feet there would be a saving of 

 trouble on the whole. As it 

 is, it would seem that the 

 bracket support for the basin 

 were the better and more sat- 

 isfactory choice. 



Every basin should have 

 an overflow as well as a drain 

 in the bottom to connect with 

 the waste. The drain is closed 

 by a stopper, but the overflow 

 should always be unobstructed 



(see Fig. 38). 



The lined wooden sink 

 being decidedly out of date, 

 there is no use in considering 

 it. The enamelled-iron sink 

 gives a strong base, with a 

 smooth finish easily kept clean, 

 and is excellent for anything 

 but the kitchen or where 

 heavy pots and kettles are to 

 be used. The enamelled 

 coating cracks and chips easily 

 when things are dropped in it. 



I he porcelain SinK IS Tin . lined cop per sink in butler's pantry, well lighted and convenient to cupboard 



another sanitary perfection. 



w r hich is ill adapted to hard knocks. For the lighter work it is excellent, but 



for the kitchen the aforesaid pots must be reckoned with. The soapstone sink 



