Plumbing

The need for sanitation and clean water supply goes back to the ancient days. While it may seem normal now to have a washroom and a kitchen sink, you’ll be surprised to learn that back in the day, these amenities were only meant for the wealthy. The best part is that the ancient civilization days played a critical role in our modern-day plumbing. Here are some interesting facts about the history of indoor plumbing. Early Years of Plumbing 3000 B.C. During this period, archaeologists discovered underground water pipes made of clay in the Indus River in India. These pipes were not only used to supply water, but they were also used to dispose wastewater into the sewers. 1500 B.C. The people of Crete under the reign of King Minos created concrete drainage systems and sewage disposal systems that had underground channels. The Minoans are also known to have been the first to invent the first flushing toilet that had a wooden seat. Later in the 19th Century, scientists discovered a bathtub that had been made from cast iron. The island of Crete also developed rainwater cisterns that allowed them to store rainwater until it was needed for bathing, cooking, drinking, and washing. 710 B.C. The Assyrian King, Sargon the great is known to have invented the first shower when he had slaves climb up on a ladder and pour water over him as he bathed. Egyptians Plumbing Advances In 2500 B.C., Egyptians constructed pyramids that had bathrooms with sewage and irrigation systems. They used copper pipes to supply water to public wells and in homes. Archeologists discovered copper piping in the pyramid for King Suhura. It is believed that priests used the pipes to drain water after performing their rituals. Roman Plumbing Advances The Roman Empire had an advanced plumbing system. They constructed large aqueducts that helped to supply water to public and private baths. The underground sewer systems ensured that wastewater was safely disposed of. The empire also had marble fixtures with silver and gold fittings. Around 500 B.C., the Egyptians made use of lead pipes which are believed to have made a huge improvement in sanitary conditions. New Plumbing Technology Plumbing has not been left behind when it comes to technology. Whether you’re a more traditional person or you would rather go with modern and sleek, you’re guaranteed to find showers, toilets, faucets featuring the latest technology. · Toilets Modern toilets are advanced and now feature low-flow, dual flush modes which help in water conservation. Moreover, some toilets are fitted with motion sensors that easily sense when you’re done. The toilets in Calgary, AB automatically flush themselves and place the toilet seat back. If you hate the manual scrubbing, you can now enjoy self-cleaning toilets that make your work easier. · Digital Showers With modern shower systems, you can access LCD panels that allow you to control the music, steam, water pressure, and the temperature. Also, you don’t have to bring in your speakers to the bathroom as modern showers are fitted with Bluetooth, allowing you to enjoy your music as you shower. If you need to invigorate the body and just relax, chromotherapy showers are what you need; these showers use color therapy to help you relax. Modern plumbing has made strides through the years and has become a convenience that you can’t do without. The next time you take a shower, remember to be thankful. In case of any plumbing problems, be sure to contact a professional plumbing company to help resolve these issues.

Summer in Alberta means longer, hotter, and often drier days as the rain becomes less frequent. For people in Calgary, this means enjoying a dry heat during the summer, but it can also mean that water usage can become an issue as rainfall becomes scarce. This is especially true for homeowners that have vegetation like lawns, trees, flowers and other plants, as well as children in the home. School being out means kids looking for more ways to keep busy during the summer, and between watering plants and backyard activities like playing in the sprinkler, water bills can go up. But you can find ways to save water during the summer, and here are a few ways to do it. Wash Your Car at a Facility Using your hose to wash your car will certainly get the job done, but it can also cost you quite a bit of money in terms of water utilities. We know it’s important to clean your car, but if you want to use less water at home, you may be better off going to a professional facility, even a self-serve one. A professional car wash, whether automated or done by hand, is much more efficient with the use of water. In some cases, there’s even very little water wasted, since it is drained off, recollected and reused, compared to your own hose experience at home, where the water simply flows down the street and into the sewer. You may think you’re paying money getting your car washed elsewhere, but you’re also saving money on your own water utility bill. Cover Your Swimming Pool For people that have a swimming pool in their yard, there may be a temptation, now that summer is here, to leave the pool open and exposed for the season. While it’s true that this makes it a lot easier to go for a dip on impulse, the dry air of summer in Alberta often means that water evaporation is going to be a major issue. Moreover, keeping your pool covered doesn’t just help prevent water evaporation, it also helps out your pool filter and other cleaning mechanisms. A covered pool is protected from detritus like leaves or bird/animal droppings. Your pool stays cleaner, your filter works less, and your water doesn’t evaporate with this simple measure. Water Plants in the Morning or Evening Sometimes, you’re going to decide it’s time to break out the “slip and slide,” run the sprinkler, or bring out the hose and let the kids enjoy themselves. This may be a drain on water, but the joy it brings is obviously worth it. But there are other ways you can save before this happens. During the middle of the day, this is the hottest, driest period of the Albertan summer. If you water plants now, much of that water will evaporate into the dry air. However, if you time your watering your lawn or garden to morning or evening, the cool temperature means you need less water as there’s less evaporation.