Patriotic Fun Facts About Plumbing In Celebration of Independence Day!

You Won't Believe These Wacky - But True - Plumbing Facts!

Though it may not seem like it to the outside observer, the world of plumbing is full of fascinating details, milestones, personalities, and oddities. And while plumbing by no means originated in America, some of the most important, game-changing strides in plumbing technology and application took place here.

Working-class innovators and U.S. presidents alike have contributed to the evolution and implementation of plumbing systems and helped make them what they are today. So in honor of Independence Day, here are some of the highlights from American plumbing history and some interesting facts about modern plumbing systems.

America's Rich History With Plumbing

Strange as it seems, indoor plumbing is a relatively new invention. Until the latter half of the 19th century, it was a rarity and a huge luxury, usually only found in the homes of the very wealthy or upscale hotels. The first of these hotels to implement indoor plumbing was the Tremont House in Boston in 1829. The Tremont had cold water taps, several indoor toilets, and baths with running water, all of which were lavish amenities at the time.

The Tremont even had these luxuries two decades before the White House did. It wasn't until around 1853 that 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue got its first flush toilet during Millard Fillmore's presidential term. And it wasn't until a few years later, in 1857, that a man named Joseph Gayetty introduced another luxury to America - toilet paper.

A Brief History of Toilets

Some of the other major toilet innovations came from England. The first-ever flushable toilet is said to have been invented in 1596 by Sir John Harrington, a poet and godson of Queen Elizabeth I. His invention never saw widespread use, however. It wasn't until nearly two centuries later, in 1775, that a man named Alexander Cumming filed a patent for a flush toilet, with the addition of an S-shaped pipe between the toilet bowl and the drainpipe that prevented foul odors from coming up from the sewage system. 

Over a century later, as flush toilets became more commonplace in public spaces, an American named William Sloan made another huge innovation - the Flushometer. This device utilized water pressure rather than gravity to flush toilets, meaning a tank was not necessary. The Flushometer is still used in many urinals and tankless toilets in public restrooms and commercial settings.

Other Plumbing Trivia

It was around Sloan's time, in the early 20th century, that sinks as they're known today began appearing, complete with drains and faucets. Before this, they were simple washbasins that required a separate water bowl and had to be manually emptied. 

It was also around that time that concerns started to be raised about incidents of lead poisoning due to the use of lead pipes for water supply systems. Unfortunately, due to lead industry lobbyists, lead pipes wouldn't be banned from use in plumbing systems until the 1980s - but today, nearly all lead piping in the country has been replaced with copper or steel.

In general, plumbing systems and fixtures in America have only improved over the years and continue to be made safer, more efficient, and more affordable. Innovations are constantly being made on everything from water-saving toilets, faucets, showerheads to whole-home water filtration systems and computer-controlled irrigation systems. America's plumbing history may be fascinating, but the future will be even more so!

About Hall's Plumbing

The experts at Hall's Plumbing have been serving the Woodland, CA community since 1995. As an award-winning local business, they are committed to safety, honesty, and superior service. They offer up-front pricing, budget-friendly options, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call now for plumbing service!

• 
  +
• 
  +
• 
  +