411homerepair.com

5 Interesting Plumbing Facts You Probably Took for Granted

by Guest Post on Sep 5, 2017

Plumbing is one of the regular amenities you often take for granted in the home. But how much do you know about this critical aspect of home convenience? Did you know that the early Romans perfected an aqueduct system of equipping their homes with water supply from nearby rivers? Unfortunately, it was fraught with problems such as ridding off used water.

Today, modern plumbing has made things a lot easier. This article will discuss some unusual but interesting facts that will make you look at your drainage system differently.

A plunger cannot resolve every blockage

Contrary to pop culture, a plunger is not always effective for toilet clogs. Unless you are particularly good with tools, you could end up worsening the situation and causing an overflow. With the right plunging technique- and tool, you should have enough suction to dislodge the obstruction.

Plunger

In difficult situations, call a professional. It is advisable to have an expert work on your clog than complicate things for yourself or your household. If you don’t have one, get an emergency plumber’s number and stick it on your bathroom mirror.

Asbestos could be lurking in your pipes

Asbestos used to be a huge component of construction in the 20th century. It wasn’t until 1999 that it was totally banned in the UK. Unfortunately, traces of the hazardous material are still evident in some homes, especially older properties.

It is advisable that homeowners carry out checks, especially when moving into a new property for the first time with asbestos sampling.

You can save yourself a lot of health issues in the future by detecting asbestos in your downpipes and getting rid of them on time,

Water drains clockwise in the Southern hemisphere.

Water draining

Many people believe water drains in the opposite direction when you flush. But it is not true, it drains clockwise. If you never gave it much thought before, well there is a science behind it. The Coriolis force which is caused by the rotation of the earth influences the water in your toilet bowl to some extent.

But the real direction of the water depends on the design of the plumbing system. For instance, those tiny water jets inside the bowl could be set in the opposite direction. However, water will naturally flush in a clockwise direction.

Reptiles can swim upstream into your toilet

If you have been in denial, I hate to break this to you, but snake and rats can make their way through the sewers and into your water closet. There was an article some years ago about how a 3-foot long snake crawled its way up and into the toilet of a 19th-floor toilet in New York.

This can be extremely scary to think of, but it shouldn’t make you paranoid. Modern toilets are being equipped with steeper pipes to prevent reptiles from working their way up. Besides, the probability of this happening is very slim.

A leaking faucet is more serious than you think

The cost of water supply in homes has risen steadily since the last decade. In April 2017, many homeowners saw their water bills increase. It is easy to dismiss a drippy faucet as an insignificant thing, but when you consider what it amounts to you could be losing a huge chunk of money in the long run.

Leaky faucets can also cause secondary problems such as a moldy under-sink, which is hazardous to health. When you notice a faulty faucet, do fix it immediately.

Were these facts useful? Perhaps you might have heard some before. Share with your colleagues because you never know who it might help.

Latest Articles

How Much Does It Cost To Take A Bath​?

Plumbers know that a bath may seem like a relaxing luxury, but the real cost extends far beyond your water bill. The average soak uses 35 to 50...

on Apr 8, 2025

10 Concrete Patio Ideas on a Budget

A concrete patio can be a game-changer for your outdoor space. It is durable, versatile, and can be customized to fit your style. But what if you...

on Mar 25, 2025

Tips for Creating a Stunning Personalized Photo on Canvas

Order the unique beauty of a personalized photo on canvas and bring your memories to life. With a customized photo on canvas, you can transform...

on Mar 7, 2025

Best Areas to Buy Property in Singapore for Long-Term Growth

Singapore's real estate market remains one of the most stable and lucrative in the world. With limited land supply, strong governmental...

on Feb 18, 2025

Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan

When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...

on Jan 12, 2025

Sponsored Articles

Actions

More DIY Articles

Say Good-Bye to Floodwater through Residential Mold Removal

Waterproofing your basement is an effective way of eliminatifloodsood from your house. Gone are the days of the stinky and murky basement of old,...

Cleaning / Maintenance

Using Bridging Loans in Your Property Purchases and Renovations

The world of finance is rapidly growing especially in the field of bridging loans in many areas from parents helping their children onto the...

Real Estate / Finance

Easy Renovation Tips for Creating a Beautiful Baby Nursery

It’s the first room your child will ever have so let’s make it a good one! Transforming a room into a beautiful nursery doesn’t have to be time...

Interior Design / Decor

Top Tips for Choosing the Best Type of Roofing for Your New Home

When you are in the process of choosing a new roof for your home, there are a lot of different things that should influence your decision. There...

Roofing / Gutters

Home Improvement Ideas: Catering for Your Cat

It can feel extremely satisfying to give your home a small makeover from time to time. We need our lives to feel fresh so that we don’t end...

Improvements / Remodeling

Contact Us | Submit Article | 411homerepair © 2025