The use of oakum in sailing ships and the Oscar Wilde story is fascinating. Now consider a more pedestrian and much less romantic use.
Oakum is still used in traditional cast iron pipe / bell joint connections. It can be purchased from local building supply houses that serve commercial contractors but I would not expect to find it at the a franchise hardware or box store - not anymore. For plumbing / sewer work the oakum came in strips maybe 18" in length, wrapped in waxed paper. As installed the pipe was first dry fit together then the oakum rope was driven into the bell, around the male pipe end in several layers, placed with an off-set, blunt chisel and hammer. That cavity was filled tightly with oakum within an inch or so of the bell flange. Next an asbestos rope was cinched around the male pipe, held tight to the bell flange. Molten lead / tin solder was then poured into the cavity atop the oakum and allowed to cool. This was done with pipe work in place so the flange and cavity accepted the lead with the help of gravity and the asbestos rope - even a horizontal waste pipe has some pitch. Finally the warm lead ring was then driven gently against the oakum with the same chisel to give it a set and seal. And this is all the plumbing inspector would see - chisel marks on the lead.
The whole process was fraught with environmental hazards - coal tar pitch (VOC's), asbestos fibers, lead fumes. And stripping the hemp rope would shred the flesh from hands arms and thighs.............those were the good old days.
Cheers everyone.........
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Dennis Garde Assoc. AIA LEED AP BC+D
Principal
Energy Veritas Ltd
Mt Prospect IL
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