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Help W/Antique Plumbing

Mad Dog_2
Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 7,433
and we are nearby on Long Island. You can email me with more details if you'd like. Thanks. Matt Mad Dog Sweeney

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  • Mike D_4
    Mike D_4 Member Posts: 6
    Help W/Antique Plumbing

    Hi

    I know this is more of a heating forum, but I'm looking for a old school plumber that would be interested in fixing and restoring a set of antique urinals (see attached image) Primarily I would like to get the flush mechanism functioning again, right now you have to open up the shut off valve to get water, tank won't fill up. Secondarily I'd like to replace pipes inbetween the tank and urinals with something more period appropriate, some chrome pipes. Right now it is a jury-rigged mess of tinned copper with a sink waste fitting.

    Location is Glen Cove New York
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    Bright nickel would be the appropriate period finish for the piping. Chrome came later.

    Nickel is again in vogue, but usually in a brushed finish which has little or no historic precedent.

    The truly fine old fixtures used solid nickel for exposed parts.
  • Dave Yates (PAH)
    Dave Yates (PAH) Member Posts: 2,162
    we should team up!

    I've got an 1800's wall-hung tank & WC unit I'm restoring! From an old candy factory where we've helped remodel a fourth floor into a studio apt. Steam rads converted to HW with a mod-con and Inverter A/C wall-hung units (six of them) for miserly electrical usage. Sat abandoned for more than 100 years. The open apt. runs for 1/2 of a city block!

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  • had those

    Ihad those a while back and yakked them wall hung tanks out as per Illinois codes which doesn't allowed them in public rest rooms.... But, I would have fun restoring them back into shape with anit siphon ballcock and low volume flush valve, pipes can get them in chrome... Etc...
  • Donny
    Donny Member Posts: 37
    inspections

    I wouldn't spend a lot of money if your intention is to put them to public use, as they won't pass inspections with cracked china
  • mp1969
    mp1969 Member Posts: 225
    Codes

    Donny is very right! Contact your local plumbing official before you spend any $$$$

    I like old fixtures and nostalgia but that does not always cut it with current codes.

    The center to center dimension won't pass in Wisconsin, most inspectors here would want them brought up to code if you retrofit them.

    MP 1969
  • Scott Denny
    Scott Denny Member Posts: 124


    Dave
    How can an abandoned building sit "for more than 100 years" without getting vandalized or worse?
  • Dave Yates (PAH)
    Dave Yates (PAH) Member Posts: 2,162
    lawyers!

    The first and second floors became lawyers' offices for decades while the 3rd floor was storage only. The 4th floor got lost in the space-time-continuium! The entire building was a candy factory a-way back in the 1800's and on into the 1900's. The floors are very thick (about five layers) due to the original machinery.

    Employee restrooms on the 4th floor were hidden by stored items and junk - long forgotten. His-n-hers with a wall-hung sink in the middle. An island kit sink now rests some 20' away while those twin employee restrooms became one large master bath. About 70' away, the mod-con and indirect reside. A re-circ line kills any wait for hot water. All piping was kept exposed per the owner's wishes to maintain the industrial look.

    Walls of glass give the owner unobstructed views of downtown York City.

    Lots of d-twn buildings have upper floors that haven't seen activity since the turn of the last century - architectural treasures with pigeon poop and dust in historic porportions(G).

    We installed a new steamer two years back in what had been an 1800's hotel. The owner's suite is the old bar - complete with bullet holes in the walls from card games gone bad. The bar and its room remains untouched from its hayday.

    What other business besides our PHVAC trades would offer such a rich history?!?

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