History of Plumbing

Ancient Civilization

One of the earliest examples of plumbing can be found in Mohenjo Daro near the Indus River Valley. This ancient civilization created vertical pipes inside the walls that led to an opening on the street where it could be carried away. The next community to utilize widespread plumbing systems was Rome. One look at the remnants of the empires aqueduct system, and it is clear to see that they utilized great feats of engineering to power their baths, water fountains and other needs. Other famous civilizations have also implemented complex forms of plumbing, including Greece, China and Persia.

Plumbing Through the Ages

The first giant leap for plumbing came during the industrial revolution, when mass produced metal piping allowed communities across the United States and the world create vast networks of underground pipes. Modern plumbing arrived at a good time as well, since the worlds growing population made hygiene a top priority for large cities. The advent of plumbing in the 20th century helped to create a safe and healthy environment for populations around the globe. Unfortunately, many of these pipes were made from toxic lead, and were eventually replaced with safer metals like copper and galvanized steel.

Recent Advancements

In recent years, many interesting changes have been introduced to the plumbing industry. Advancements in technology and manufacturing have provided a wider range of materials that can be used for various plumbing purposes such as PVC and PEX. Also, techniques for repairing leaks, removing clogs and inspecting underground pipes have reached new heights. Services like hydro jetting, camera inspections and trenchless pipe repair have made plumbing services more affordable and accessible to the public.