Your Addison plumbing experts – InSink Plumbers – presents a brief history of early plumbing:
Plumbing technology appeared in the annuls of history around 2700 BC, in the Indus Valley of modern-day India and Pakistan. Early plumbing, of course, was entirely dependant on the forces of gravity, as pumps had yet to be invented. Early plumbing materials ranged from clay to bamboo, and wood to stone. Even hollow logs were used as piping material in early United States settlements, and English civilizations.
Early Roman civilizations used piping especially aggressively, utilizing this tool to supply baths and improve sanitary sewage removal. Pipes are essential for building large cities, such as Roman Empire cities, and Chinese civilizations. Without pipes, or aqueducts and ditches, potable water must be carried into these civilizations; or taken from nearby wells, rivers, or lakes. And wastewater issues are prominent in large cities. Cesspools and open-air ditches present problems: smell, disease, and erosion to name a few. Piping allowed early civilizations the opportunity to segregate wastewater and potable drinking water – Keeping citizens healthy.
After the first industrial revolution around 1800 AD, lead pipes were mass produced and implemented worldwide, especially in the United States and Europe. These pipes were long-lasting, easy to install, and watertight. However, as time carried on, lead was discovered to be poisonous.
Thereafter, copper has become the standard for potable water piping, and most recently, plastics have made their way into the fold.
Now, we have high-quality pressurized sanitary potable water, and complete sewage containment! Remember to call your Addison plumbers – InSink Plumbing – if you’re plumbing needs an update!
