Why opt for copper piping? It’s strong, resilient, durable, versatile, naturally antimicrobial, and extraordinarily long-lasting. As more than one plumber has noted, Type K and Type L pipe are designed to last 300 years, but Type M will only last 250 years.
The famous Roman plumbing system used lead pipes to carry the water to various houses. The soft metal made it easy to built large residential plumbing systems. In fact, lead pipes were common for the next two thousand years until the 1950s.
The most common shapes for stainless steel commercial sinks are square and rectangular, although this should be chosen based on the functionality of the sink. It’s important to determine your needs ahead of time so that you choose a bowl that’s deep and wide enough.
"The craft of plumbing is notorious for requiring unanticipated components," the website wiseGEEK explains, "so additional parts not normally in the plumber's stock may be needed for some jobs."
We tend to think of the Roman Empire, but the Roman Republic, which lasted from 509 BC through 27 BC, was powerful in its own right, and had many technological innovations. Many of the great aqueducts, most of the sewer system, and a lot of their plumbing system were innovations of the Republic.
Did you know that some of the earliest plumbing was done for commercial services? Back in Ancient Rome, they ran aqueducts and lead pipes to bring water to the city, and a lot of that water went to the public baths.
Did you know that approximately 25 percent of your utility bill pays for water heating? With a tankless water heater, you can save 10 to 15 percent of the cost to heat water in your home.
With the latest in technology, a plumbing contractor can determine if that clogged pipeline can be easily flushed out or whether there is a crack in the pipe that will require a section of the pipe to be replaced. A tiny camera can be inserted into the pipeline to get a view of the inside of your pipe.
Worried that you have a water leak? Sagging and cracked flooring as well as mildew and mold in the bathroom or kitchen are good signs that a leak is present!
Did you know that it’s recommended that you have your home’s plumbing and sewer system inspected every two to three years? This simple maintenance step can help catch issues early and save you from more expensive repairs down the road.
Plumbing was finally reintroduced to Europe after a 1,000-year break in 1455. At the time, pipes were made out of cast iron, which is part of the reason for the delay. To make the pipes, fires had to be developed that were hot enough to fully melt the iron.
It may sound a little excessive, but to properly unclog a kitchen sink, you need more than one plunger. While you will be working the plunger over the sink that is clogged, you’ll also need to cover any other sinks with a plunger to create a vacuum seal.
Do you know how long indoor plumbing has been around? Archeologists have recovered a portion of a water plumbing system from the Pyramid of Cheops in Egypt, and the evidence of indoor plumbing in places dates back to 2500 B.C.E!
Did you know that drain waste and vent piping are the two most important components in a plumbing system? These are basically the systems that take water and waste away from your building.
Emergency devices such as showers or eyewash units might not seem like a big deal, at least until someone really needs them. A commercial plumber can not only install these safety fixtures; he or she can also perform checkups, so you’ll know you can count on them to work.
In 1857, Strickland Kreass, chief engineer for Philadelphia, advocated for the creation of a “lateral” system to channel waste from commercial buildings and houses to larger sewer drain pipes. This system was one of the earliest of its kind in the US.
Did you know that toilet tanks actually account for 90 percent of residential plumbing leaks? Typical leaks result from worn parts or improper part alignment and need to be addressed before they get worse.
Plumbing matters. In 1801, the White House acquired its first water closet, and by 1833, parts of it had running water piped through hollowed-out logs. Finally, in 1902, the White House was remodeled and the first comprehensive plumbing system was installed.
When you need plumbing repair or installation work done, you seldom have time to research plumbing codes—and you shouldn't have to. Hiring a licensed and insured plumbing contractor means peace of mind for you, and it means you don’t have to concern yourself with these details.
