Understand Your Plumbing with These Speed-Dating Facts

The Three Most Important Plumbing Questions

There is a reason that it takes years to become a licensed master plumber, and that reason is that it's a complex industry that does specialized and technical work that is always changing. Modern plumbing is a complete mystery to most people, but there are several decades-old questions that most people ask. These questions have less to do with the technical aspects of plumbing and more about the history and mysteries associated with plumbing. 

Here are some answers provided by plumbers to help answer some of the biggest questions in the field of plumbing. 

Why Is a Toilet Referred To as a “John?”

Two technological developments have been found across every society for nearly 10,000 years. They are irrigation of farmland and some sort of public sanitation system. The first is responsible for feeding citizens, while the second is responsible for safely handling their waste. Removal of human waste has been a problem for cities to solve ever since humans decided to live in cities. Nowadays, that job is included in the plumbing industry, but it had much more humble roots. 

In the 1500s in England, flushing toilets didn’t exist. It wasn’t until the flushing toilet was introduced to the court of Queen Elizabeth I that the idea took off. The man who invented and introduced the flushing toilet to the Queen was a poet named Sir John Harrington, who belonged to her court. He called his invention the “Ajax,” and they were widely referred to as “jakes.” While they may have also been called “Johns,” it is more likely that this term developed over the years to replace “jake,” and the inverter’s name is a coincidence. 

Which Direction Do Toilets Flush?

Probably the longest-standing and most misleading myth about plumbing is the direction that toilets and drains flush depending on the position relative to the equator of the Earth. Most people believe that toilets flush in different directions if they are in the northern or southern hemisphere, but this isn’t the case. 

The truth is: it doesn’t matter. Toilets will flush either direction depending on how they were designed, and drains will drain in whichever direction offers the least resistance. The misinformation on this subject is due to the fact that hurricanes and ocean currents behave opposite in the two hemispheres due to the Earth’s rotation. However, these forces are only observable on a large scale. Domestic plumbing is too small for it to have a visible effect. 

What’s the True Cost of a Leaky Faucet?

Leaking faucets can be commonplace in most houses, but their actual costs can be pretty high. Leaks constantly drip, so water is being wasted every minute of every day. The average leak can cost a homeowner around $20 a month in wasted water and even more in higher sewer costs. It is estimated that the cost of wasted water in the US is $1.5 billion per year. 

With the cost adding up so fast, it is always best for homeowners to have leaks fixed as soon as they are noticed. The bill from a plumber won’t be more than a couple of months’ worth of leaks, so, in the long run, people can save money by taking a proactive approach. Additionally, having plumbing inspected annually can help protect the precious freshwater resources that keep society thriving. 

About Hall's Plumbing

Hall’s Plumbing is a full-service, licensed plumber in Woodland with over 20 years of experience. Customers love their satisfaction guarantees. They always strive to offer superior service at affordable prices. Contact them to schedule expert plumbing service in Woodland, CA today!

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