Dead Men Tips

HeatingHelp

Dead Men Tips

You can learn a lot from those who came before you. In this episode, Dan Holohan shares helpful (and somewhat peculiar) tips from the Dead Men.

Read the full story here

JenniferP

This was fun.. I love trade history so very much enjoyed hearing it. Thank you.

cubbydog

I still use lead wool on steel heating pipe and sprinklers. Great way to stop leaks!

Intplm.

Enjoyed the entire story. Especially the reference to manure and whether they asked to barrow some or brought their own. Made me laugh.
It's a far cry from when I would ask a customer if I could barrow a slice of bread or a strand or spaghetti.
Ask me. Ill respond.

Larry Weingarten

What a wonderful way to start the day! Mr. Tower has such a professorial voice, probably influenced by working so much with lead. A also like the mutual respect shown by know how, old and new. Thanks!

Yours, Larry

DanHolohan

Thanks! 

Mad Dog_2

Weaving plumbing & heating history..love it.  Giving new recognition to the Deadmen whom we would have never heard of..Mad Dog 

MarjPinard

Love Dan's writings, his books!!

retiredguy

What a great story and a bit of education on how things were done way before my time. Before I retired in 2007, I carried on my service van about 3-4 lbs of lead wool and concentrated iodine. By the way, I was told that having that iodine was illegal and it could not be bought anymore. Anyway, I used the iodine and lead wool to seal cracks in anything cast iron including H B Smith boiler sections. I ran out of the iodine in about 2006 and was not able to purchase it anymore. As to the other fixes in the story, my grand father was a master plumber and he had a large wooden box with many of the items mentioned in the story. He tried to explain to me how to use many of the items but I guess that I was too young to appreciate all his wisdom. I wish that I had paid more attention to him. My loss.

jumper

Nowadays there's good stuff for patching and fixing.
But you have to be careful that stuff isn't junk.