Publication date: 02/09/2008

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Column from 1950s still offers some good advice

Funny how things run in families. If you go to the Rooter MD Web site, www.rootermd.com, (800) ROOTER MD, it is like getting a tutorial on advanced plumbing techniques. It turns out that Ed Wood, the grandfather of Rooter MD's president, Pete Wood, also was a fanatic about informing the public. He wrote a plumbing advice column titled "Wise Words from Wood Plumbing & Heating." His byline was "Wood the Plumber."

When Pete was helping grandpa clean out his office, he came across a file of old articles. Grandpa was all for throwing them away. Pete kept them and has treasured them ever since.

Knowing that I was a nostalgia buff, Pete offered to let me read some of the articles and share them with you. The column started in a Downriver newspaper, the Southwest Journal, April 5, 1951. They give us a glimpse of what was considered cutting-edge technology and what was on the public's mind half century ago.

ﾕ The automatic gas water heater was a big deal. Only one manufacturer made glass-lined water heaters at that time. Wood warned to make sure that the water heater you bought was equipped with a shut-off attachment was critical.

ﾕ Galvanized water heaters were dominant, but the electric current conducted into the tank from the water pipes destroyed the thin galvanized coating. Repair was almost impossible, but the development of a sacrificial rod (anode rod) that could be inserted into the tank would add five years to the service life.

ﾕ A new ball-shaped copper hot-water tank was invented that Wood thought was a big improvement because the round shape made it far more energy efficient, and the insulated-copper ball was super strong, rust free and would last forever (unfortunately the design used too much copper and never caught on).

ﾕ Wood considered the kitchen sink the work center of the kitchen. He advised that new, streamlined sinks had chromium-plated faucets, a choice of double or single compartments, wide drain boards and spacious cabinets.

ﾕ A modern bride would want her kitchen sink to have the very latest, including a cutting-edge, time-saving spray for rinsing dishes and washing vegetables, and a crumb strainer that could convert the deep basin into a water-tight compartment.

ﾕ Converting hot-water heated homes from radiators to baseboard heating freed up floor space and added beauty to the home.

ﾕ The development of the "water hammer arrester" could eliminate water hammer caused by the sudden shut off of a water faucet.

ﾕ Leaky faucets, then as now, wasted tremendous amounts of water and money. Back then, a leaky faucet could add up to $18 a year to the water bill. Not to worry, up-to-date plumbing shops had a faucet bar where a customer could bring his faucets and have them repaired by an expert right on the spot. This would save customers a service call and all it would cost was the price of parts with no charge for labor.

ﾕ A new bathroom-style innovation called for the use of a colored toilet seat that matched the rugs and curtains.

ﾕ Polluted water caused 25 outbreaks of disease nationwide in 1949. This involved 1,570 cases and caused three deaths.

ﾕ Water pipe was already in short supply. Wood hailed the introduction of a new "loop" or "series" method of connecting a baseboard heating system that would greatly cut down on costs and the demand for pipe.

ﾕ Some of you may remember air-raid drills at school that had children hiding underneath their desks. The plumbers were also called into the act. In case of atomic attack, great amounts of uncontaminated water would be needed to provide temporary washing facilities for injured and uninjured in the stricken area. Patriotic plumbers, such as Wood, were banding together to make certain the necessary water and sewage disposal systems would be available in case of an atomic or germ attack.

That was nearly 60 years ago. We are still worried about atomic attack; listeners are still calling in with problems relating to anode rods and water hammer. No one I know is completely satisfied with his or her water supply. "Tankless" is the new buzzword in water heating -- and wouldn't you know, folks are willing to pay extra for "retro-styled" kitchens and appliances.

I think Ed Wood would feel right at home in 2008.

Note: This article was accurate at the date of publication. However, information contained in it may have changed. If you plan to use the information contained herein for any purpose, verification of its continued accuracy is your responsibility.

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