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Get Some Plumbing History With These Speed-Dating Style Facts Tuesday, February 16th, 9:05 AM
Plumbers in Seaside, CA Give Fast Facts About the History of Plumbing

Seaside, United States - February 13, 2021 / Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc /

3 Historical Questions About Modern Plumbing

Modern plumbing is often taken for granted by those who use it. It has become so ubiquitous to society that people have forgotten that most of humanity hasn’t had access to it throughout history. Even the word “plumbing” is misunderstood by most people. 

The word “plumbing” is derived from the Latin word “plumbum” or lead. The first indoor plumbing in the Roman Empire consisted of lead piping since lead was the easiest metal to melt and shape into pipes. Lead was used widely in plumbing until the 1900s, when scientists discovered that it was incredibly poisonous. This Valentine’s Day, take a moment to brush up on the history of plumbing with these fast facts. 

Why Is a Toilet Called a “John?”toilet

There is evidence that flushing toilets were in use in certain cultures as early as 2600 BC. However, for the British Empire under Queen Elizabeth and most of Europe, chamber pots were the only place to deposit waste. The pots were then emptied into the streets. 

It wasn’t until John Harrington introduced his version of the toilet that flush toilets came into use in the Western world. John Harrington was a godson of Queen Elizabeth and members of her court. He was a poet by trade and routinely got himself kicked out of polite society for his “saucy” writings. He introduced his version of the toilet, which he called the “Ajax,” to the Queen’s court in 1596. After this, toilets and sewer systems become more common in public places and homes. 

What Direction Do Drains Spin?

Thanks largely in part to an episode of The Simpsons, a popular misconception exists about the direction toilets and drains spin due to the Earth’s equator. Legend has it that toilets in the northern hemisphere spin counterclockwise while those in the southern hemisphere spin clockwise. 

The truth is, it doesn’t matter. Toilet and drains spin in the direction of least resistance. Most toilets have washdown jets that clean the sides of the bowl. The direction that these jets face influences the direction of the flush. 

While there is a noticeable effect of the Earth’s spin on hurricanes and ocean currents, drains and toilets are much too small to be influenced by such forces. 

How Much Water Do Leaks Waste?

Small drips coming from a faucet may not seem like a big problem. But people often forget that a small leak continues every hour of every day until it is repaired. This can lead to big increases in water bills and high costs on bills. 

faucet

The EPA estimates that around 1,000,000,000,000 gallons of water get wasted due to small leaks per year. That a trillion! That’s roughly equal to the total water usage of 11 million homes. 

As a smaller example, a leak dripping at a rate of one drop every 6 seconds can waste 500 gallons of water in a year. Depending on the cost of water and sewer service, this can easily add up to the cost of having professionals repairs done within a month or so. 

About Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc

Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc is a one-stop-shop for every home or business’s HVAC and plumbing needs. With 35 years of service to the Seaside, CA community, they know how to render customer service. They offer same-day service and emergency response, so their professional technicians are always available to help. Call now for plumbing service!

Contact Information:

Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repairs Inc

1112 Phoenix Ave Ste B
Seaside, CA 93955
United States

Christopher Wilson Jr.
(831) 309-0991
https://www.chriswilsonplumbing.com/

Original Source: https://www.chriswilsonplumbing.com/press-releases

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