Not every person finds plumbing to be a fun topic of discussion, but its existence has changed how the world operates. At One Source Home Service, our plumbers are highly experienced and passionate about the plumbing services they provide to Colorado Springs residents, and our cool plumber facts and tips offer insight into how your plumbing system works.
Surprising Origins of Modern Plumbing Systems — Plumbing History Facts
From ancient aqueducts to indoor flush toilets, modern plumbing has roots in civilizations that date as far back as the Bronze Age.
Amazing facts about ancient plumbing innovations
Though plumbing seems like a relatively modern convenience, it actually dates back to ancient civilizations. Thanks to the urban drainage networks found in homes of the Indus Valley Civilization in 2500 BCE, and later the ancient Greek plumbers who invented systems of pipes, sewage disposal, and drainage, you can enjoy modern plumbing comforts today.
The Greeks used pressurized pipes for bathing, built aqueducts for clean water and crop irrigation, and even installed indoor flush toilets on Crete. Rome advanced this technology with elaborate stone sewer systems, latrines, and aqueduct systems that carried 1.2 billion liters of water.
If your drains look like they haven’t been cleaned since the Bronze Age, learn about the drain cleaning services provided by One Source Home Service.
Plumbing comes to America
Using cast iron pipes, Philadelphia became the first American city to install a citywide plumbing system in 1804. By the mid-20th century, mass production made plumbing a standard feature in every new American home. That evolution continues today through professional installation, advanced materials, and eco-conscious design.
The evolution of toilets and bathroom fixtures
The modern flush toilet traces back to Sir John Harrington, later refined by plumber Thomas Crapper. With the toilet’s evolution, its users also moved from using moss, corn on the cob, and other substitutes to the innovative paper squares known as toilet paper.
In some homes, you may still find pillar taps which feature a separate cold and hot tap that operate independently — it wasn’t until 1937 that you could mix your hot and cold water in one faucet.
Earlier bathtubs were made from wood, copper, or cast iron, with a coating of paint, until a new process for enameling cast-iron tubs was developed in the late 1800s. Now, modern acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs are lighter and easier to maintain than their cast-iron or clawfoot predecessors.
Modern plumbing innovations
Gas and electric water heaters allowed for convenient hot water supplies throughout homes, so you could enjoy a hot bath as fast as you could fill your tub, rather than heating and transporting buckets of water. Pipe materials became more durable and healthy, with PVC and PEX in place of clay, copper, and even lead.
Plumbers today use tools like hydro jetting, sewer cameras, and trenchless repair to solve plumbing problems quickly and accurately.
Environmental Plumbing Facts You Didn’t Know
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one dripping faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. Calling a plumber to fix leaks, replace fixtures, and upgrade to water-conserving equipment protects both budgets and the environment. Just fixing a leak can reduce your water bill by 10%.
Simple habits, such as running full dishwasher loads and scheduling routine inspections, also support water conservation. One Source Home Service encourages homeowners to book annual maintenance to detect leaks early and extend system life.
How Plumbing Keeps Our Homes and Cities Healthy
In addition to convenience, plumbing also protects public health. When London built its first sewer system in 1858, it stopped cholera outbreaks and set new standards for sanitation. Before sewer and water treatment systems were widespread, diseases like cholera spread more easily.
These innovations have extended human life expectancy by decades. Today’s wastewater treatment systems filter and purify water before it returns to the environment, and technology such as backflow preventers keeps municipal wastewater from contaminating homes. At One Source Home Service, our technicians maintain plumbing systems to keep homes in Colorado Springs clean and healthy.
Weird Plumbing Facts
Plumbing has its quirks, too, offering fun plumbing trivia alongside sustainable tips or ancient history:
- Your toilet seat may be cleaner than your kitchen sponge. Toilets typically have fewer than 50 bacteria per square inch, while dishcloths can hold hundreds of times more.
- The average American spends about 240 days of life using the toilet, which works out to about 20 minutes per day for the typical lifespan. The average time spent on toilets tends to be higher for men than for women.
- Plumbers derive their titles from the Latin word plumbum, which means lead, because lead was once used in pipes and plumbing systems.
- Albert Einstein is thought to have stated that he’d choose to be a plumber instead of a scientist, scholar, or teacher if he could redo his career.
- Sir John Harrington’s invention of the flush toilet is why people excuse themselves with the phrase, “I need to go to the john!”
Common Misconceptions About Plumbing
A few plumbing myths are worth clearing up.
Myth: Chemical drain cleaners are safe
Store-bought drain cleaners may appear convenient, but they don’t differentiate between organic materials and your metal or plastic pipes. Repeated use of chemical drain cleaners weakens joints, creates plumbing leaks, and shortens pipe lifespans.
Drain cleaner fumes can also be harmful to breathe in confined spaces, and getting it on your skin can be hazardous. Professional plumbers use safe and reliable methods, such as mechanical snaking or hydro jetting, to clear clogs and fix backups completely.
Myth: Toilets flush in opposite directions in different hemispheres
This misconception comes from the Coriolis effect, which affects large weather patterns like hurricanes, not small pools of water in toilets. The direction a toilet flushes depends on the design of the bowl and the position of the water jets, not geography.
Myth: Small leaks don’t matter
A slow drip might seem harmless, but it adds up quickly. One faucet dripping once per second wastes enough water to fill a small pool. Leaks can cause hidden damage behind walls or under floors, encouraging mold and weakening structures. Fixing leaks promptly prevents higher water bills and costly repairs.
Myth: It’s okay to flush wipes or food
Flushable products, grease, food, and other organic materials don’t break down quickly enough to move through plumbing systems. They cling to pipe interiors, narrowing the passages and forming dense blockages, potentially resulting in sewage backups or other plumbing emergencies. Disposing of wipes, food scraps, and grease responsibly keeps pipes clear.
Why Homeowners Trust One Source Home Service for Expert Plumbing Help
Contact One Source Home Service today to schedule an inspection, repair, or replacement of your home’s equipment by certified local Colorado Springs experts. One Source delivers 5-star solutions for your home’s heater, air conditioner, plumbing, and electrical systems.
