Everything You Need to Know About Plumbing:
1925 Plumbing Code
By Jesica Barnes

Since you are looking at a plumbing Web site, I know you must be interested in plumbing (sure you are). Well, just in case you really were interested, to your right you'll notice we have a copy of the 1925 Code. Why do we have this posted you ask? Well, let me enlighten you.

Everything you ever needed to know about plumbing in 1925 is right there on that page. All the rules pertaining to plumbing, it's installation and all requirements fit nicely onto 1 page. Currently we have a 400-page Code BOOK that now tells us everything we now need to know about plumbing. Over the years the Code got a little more detailed, the plumbing systems got a little more involved, and therefore our plumbers became a little more knowledgeable (399 pages more knowledgeable). To be a plumber in 1925 was relatively easy compared to today's plumbing experience.

Today, young aspiring plumbers must endure through 4 years of schooling so that they will one day become the hardworking, self-sufficient, intelligent plumbers that we all know and love.  That's just a little piece of history for you.  You learn something new every day.

Read the details:

• Pipe
• Fixtures
• Vents
• Calking
• Waste & Sewage
• Septic Tanks & Cesspools

All waste water and sewage from plumbing fixtures installed in any building or structure contemplated by this act shall be conveyed and discharged  from the trap of such fixture through either wrought-iron pipe, cast-iron pipe, brass or lead pipe to a point at lease five (5) feet outside of such building or structure, and shall be carried or discharged from such pipe to a sewer, cesspool or ultimate point of discharge through either a continuation of such pipe, or through terra cotta or cement sewer pipe.

All fixtures shall be connected with water pipes of not less than the following sizes:   Wash basins, 1 1/4 inch; sinks, bath tubs and laundry trays, 1 1/2 inch; water closets, 4 inch.  All fixtures shall be supplied with fresh water sufficient to flush the same.

Each fixture shall have a vent not less in size than size of trap of such fixture, excepting water closets, which shall have vent of not less than 2-inch; provided, that one 4-inch stack shall be extended through the roof, and when not practicable to vent fixtures other than water closets, an anti-syphon trap shall be used.

All vents shall extend to and above the roof of the building and each fixture shall be separately and efficiently trapped, except that where battery of fixtures is installed in one room all may waste through one trap.

All joints of cast-iron soil pipe shall be caulked with lead and oakum.

All waste water and sewage from plumbing fixtures shall be discharged into a cesspool, septic tank or sewer constructed for the the purpose of sewage disposal, or into river or stream where such is not in violation of any city ordinance or law of the state, or in violation of any rule of the state board of health.

No septic tank or cesspool shall be constructed nearer than ten (10) feet from any building, and no cesspool shall be constructed nearer than fifty (50) feet from any well.

Nothing in this act shall be construed to prevent any incorporated city or town from enacting and enforcing any ordinance for the regulation of the business of master plumbers in such cities and towns, or to prevent such cities and towns from enacting and enforcing any ordinance or ordinances or building code which shall prescribe the manner in which plumbing and drainage work shall be installed in such cities and towns; provided, that such ordinance or code shall not prescribe or fix a lower standard of installation of plumbing and drainage work than by this act is prescribed.

Effective May 28, 1925.