There’s evidence that the world has had sewers, drainage systems, and toilets for thousands of years. In addition to waste disposal, our long-ago ancestors also had the means to carry clean water to communities.
These were very rudimentary systems. Nonetheless, they worked well for the times and paved the way for flushing toilets, advanced piping systems, and modern fixtures and technologies.
In honor of Thanksgiving, we want to give some thanks for all the advances and conveniences that come from modern plumbing.
Why We’re Thankful for Modern Plumbing
As commercial plumbers, we’ve seen a lot of sticky situations. At the same time, we recognize how unbelievably lucky we are to live in a time where we’re not dependent on buckets to supply water or outhouses to dispose of waste.
Here are the top 5 reasons why we’re grateful for the plumbing we have today:
1. Durability
Not too long ago, buildings were outfitted with pipes with poor durability. Because the materials couldn’t stand up to the test of time, a lot of work was needed to ensure that the pipes didn’t corrode or break.
With more durable materials, modern plumbing systems don’t leak, get backed up, degrade, or become contaminated as frequently as they did in the past. This means less disruption to your operation to fix things up. And lower overall maintenance costs.
2. Safety
There are a number of reasons why modern plumbing is much safer than what we had in the past.
For starters, water filtration and purification systems are of the highest quality they’ve ever been. So, this greatly reduces the risk of transmitting unsafe drinking water to your taps.
There’s also the matter of pipe materials. In the past, lead-based pipes caused severe health problems for those who drank from them. While there are still some lead pipes in the U.S., there’s an active effort underway to replace them with safer materials like PVC.
3. Adaptability
There was a time when waste disposal consisted of nothing more than throwing a bucket out a window, like in Medieval England. The waste may have effectively left the home or building, but it ended up being emptied onto the land or into bodies of water.
Even as we got closer to modern times, plumbing systems were still quite basic and difficult to make adjustments to as communities grew around them.
Today, our pipes are made of adaptable materials like PEX. With modern pipes, we can easily and non-invasively adjust and adapt existing systems to our needs.
4. Efficiency
Wasted water and energy is (mostly) a thing of the past. This is why a surge in your water or energy bill is often a sign that you need your plumbing or HVAC systems inspected and repaired.
There are a number of advancements in plumbing that allows us to better conserve our water and energy resources. For example:
- Tankless water heaters
- Tap motion sensors
- Dual-flush toilets
- Water-saving showerheads
Even the pipes themselves can improve efficiency. For instance, metal pipes used in the past were more susceptible to extreme weather changes. So, not only would it be difficult to get hot water in the winter, the water might have disappeared altogether if the pipes froze or burst.
5. Automation
Smart fixtures and systems have also given us huge gains when it comes to plumbing.
For example, smart pipes can do things like:
- Detect leaks
- Measure water usage
- Analyze pH levels and contaminants
- Control water heating and prevent freezing
- Turn off the water supply (when needed)
Not only can smart plumbing help you monitor your pipes and systems, it can enable you (or your trusted plumbing professional) to take control of it. This isn’t just helpful in the case of emergencies. These technologies can help you switch off your hot water when your building is closed or vacant.
Another Reason to Be Grateful for Modern Plumbing
These days, we often take modern water supply and waste disposal innovations for granted. That is, until they stop working.
But that’s just the nature of plumbing hardware. None of it will last forever, especially considering what an integral role it plays in our lives and businesses.
So, I guess that’s another thing we can all be grateful for. When modern plumbing gets backed up or breaks, there are trained professionals who can come get you out of a jam and quickly, too!
If you’re currently dealing with a commercial plumbing or piping issue, give us a call at 316-688-1901 or fill out this form to submit your request. One of our technicians will be in touch ASAP.