Five fascinating plumbing facts
Plumbing is something we often take for granted, but its history and the quirky facts surrounding it are fascinating. From ancient civilisations pioneering water systems to modern design innovations, plumbing has come a long way. Let’s look at five surprising and unusual facts about plumbing that might just change the way you think about your bathroom and water usage.
1. Japan’s bath safety issue
Strangely, Japan has a disproportionately high number of deaths in the bath. Statistics show you are 70 times more likely to snuff it in a bathtub in Japan than in the UK. This is a chilling fact, especially for a country where bathing is an integral part of the culture
2. The origins of the word ‘privy’
According to WaterAid the word ‘privy,’ is sometimes used to describe a toilet. This comes from the term ‘house of privacy’, which was used in Tudor times. The Ancient Egyptians had a far less pleasant name for it: ‘the house of horrors’!
3. Plumbing is older than you think
Plumbing is not a recent development; it dates back thousands of years. Ancient civilisations, such as the Egyptians, were among the first to use rudimentary forms of water piping, dating back to around 4,000 BC. Today, modern plumbing systems rely on durable materials such as copper pipe, which is commonly used for its corrosion resistance.
Copper pipes are available from pipeline merchants such as watkinspowis.co.uk.
4. Your shower may be using more water than a bath
There is a common misconception that showers use less water than baths; however, if you are in the shower for over eight minutes, you might be using more water than it takes to fill a normal bath. This is something to think about next time you are enjoying a long, steamy shower.
5. You spend years in the bathroom
It is hard to believe but, on average, people spend about three years of their life in the bathroom. Given how much time is spent there, it is a good reminder to avoid getting too comfortable scrolling through your phone while sitting on the toilet!
