Plumbing has a long, but interesting history. Many people give very little thought to their plumbing, but here are some facts you may not know that could impress your friends at your next quiz night.
Plumbing Dates Back Thousands of Years:
Many people consider plumbing to be a solely modern invention, but it actually has a long history that can be traced all the way back to 3000 B.C. According to history experts, earthen plumbing pipes were used by the people of the Indus River Valley to transport waste out of their settlements. The pipes carried waste into a river, so it was carried downstream away from their city and people.
Small Leaks Do Have a High Cost:
Many property owners ignore a small faucet leak as they assume that it is not really that important and doesn’t cost very much. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and even a small leak can actually have a very high cost. Just two drips a minute from a leaking faucet can add up to over a gallon of lost water each week. If you think this is still an insignificant amount of water, it is over 52 gallons of wasted water over a year. This should highlight that even if you only have a small leak, it should still be given proper attention as soon as possible to save money and be more eco conscious.
Pipes Do Lose Heat:
You may be unaware, but you could be not making the best use of your hot water tank. Studies have confirmed that the heat loss from pipes can have a significant impact on your water heater. As hot water is passed through the piping system of your home, it can travel a great distance, which means that there is a great potential for heat loss and inefficiency. The water first must heat up the pipes until the temperature variance reduces and there is less potential for heat loss as the hot water travels between the hot water tank to your faucets. Fortunately, you can reduce the heat loss of your pipes with insulation. Insulating your pipes can reduce the cost of monthly utility bills. While there are DIY options available, it is a good idea to have a professional insulation installation to ensure that it is done properly.
Sprinklers Have Been Around for Almost 150 Years:
Automatic sprinklers are another plumbing device that many of us assume is a modern invention. This is not the case, and automatic sprinkler heads have been around since the 1800s. The first was invented by Henry S. Parmalee from New Haven, Connecticut. He improved upon previously patented designs to create an automatic sprinkler system that he installed in his own piano factory in 1874.
The modern style of sprinkler was developed from Parmalee’s design by Frederick Grinnell, who patented a sprinkler in 1881, which evolved into a glass disc sprinkler that is very similar to systems in use today.
Hemisphere Doesn’t Affect Flushing:
There is a common myth that if you are in the Southern Hemisphere and flush a toilet, the water will flow in the opposite direction. This is not the case as water can flow in either direction regardless of the hemisphere you are in.
By Giovanni Longo President Flood Brothers Plumbing
Giovanni Longo is a 3rd generation master plumber who has been practicing his craft and trade in the greater Los Angeles area for well over a decade and a half. A plumbing and hydraulics-engineering innovator, Giovanni’s particular world-class expertise focuses on dealing with challenging sewer system designs as well as resolving complex commercial and residential draining issues. As a certified Flood Mitigation expert, he is also well versed in a wide variety of water damage and remediation solution.
