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This may seem as a very odd answer, but technically, this horse type hair is called hemp in South Africa. It is used to join two metal pipes together to make a water or leak tight proof joint. The reasoning for it being called hemp and not another name is unknown and its orgins are also unknown.

In the US, cast iron pipes, and this method of sealing them, has virtually disappeared, along with plumbers with the skill to do it. Although made from hemp, we call the rope/tar material oakum.

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15y ago

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