Plumbing News & Articles

Amazing Tips, Tidbits, and History on Orlando Plumbing (And Plumbing Worldwide)

The history of plumbing and its use throughout the United States is a surprising subject filled with more points of interest than we give credit. Every experienced Orlando plumber is no doubt privy to a multitude of useful tips and interesting facts regarding your household plumbing system. Unbeknownst to most, Orlando plumbing is the result of centuries of surprising innovations that hold a remarkable impact on today’s culture.

No Modern Day Pipedream

Indoor plumbing, though widely regarded as a modern convenience, has been in existence for thousands of years. Archeologists have uncovered copper piping in Ancient Egyptian sites dated back as far as 2500 BC. Today there exists enough copper plumbing to wrap around the Earth 2 hundred times.

Despite thousands of years of technological advances, roughly two-thirds of the world’s population still has limited or no access to indoor plumbing. To this day, amenities like Orlando plumbing are considered a marker of a modernized culture.

The “Crapper” Story is not so True

Many people falsely attribute Thomas Crapper as the joking namesake who invented the flush toilet. While Crapper was, in fact, a noteworthy plumber in England during the 1860s, the invention had already been patented nearly a century earlier by Alexander Cummings. The original flush toilet was actually invented by John Harrington, author and courtier to Queen Elizabeth I.

Alongside his invention in 1596, Harington also published a book describing the benefits and functionality of the flush toilet. The oddly historical and satirical tone of the book was seen as a thinly veiled jab at political figures of the time. The Queen of England had him banished from court for his highly offensive material. So remember next time you flush that you are participating in a historical political movement (no pun intended). 

In the Bathroom       

Any plumber in Orlando can tell you that over half of the water usage in the average American household occurs in the bathroom. Our daily hygiene routine from the sink, shower, bath, and of course the toilet, requires almost a constant supply of running water in most busy homes. As a matter of fact, flushing toilets will account for almost 30 percent of your annual water usage. Americans spend an estimated average of 3 years seated on the toilet during their lifespan. 

Money down the Drain When You Drip

More than any other easily overlooked household repair, a leaky faucet or toilet can slowly accumulate into one of your most costly household damages. Despite often being quite simple to repair, either on your own or with the aid of a qualified Orlando plumber, leaks frequently go unnoticed or ignored as more of an inconvenience than a serious problem. However, a single silent leak in a toilet can waste as much as 2 hundred gallons of water every day, and a slowly dripping faucet will waste over 3 thousand gallons over the course of a year. Annually, Americans lose as much as $1 trillion every year on unrepaired leaks.

Your Plumbing in Orlando Might Impact Your Health

Whether you notice it or not, faults within your plumbing system can yield dire effects on your overall health. Not only your drinking and bathing water but even the general air quality and household cleanliness are hindered by poor plumbing maintenance. Regular visits from an Orlando plumber are the simplest preventative measure to avoid costly and unpleasant medical issues. Some of these common heath risks pose a problem before the plumbing itself is even noticeably affected.   

Right Down to the Piping

Older homes especially use piping made from materials known for leaking hazardous chemicals into the water. Even when there is no noticeable taste or discoloration, the effects of lead, zinc, and cadmium can lead to serious health problems with the liver, kidneys, skin, and hair.

If your home was built before 1986, have a knowledgeable plumber in Orlando inspect your pipework for any of the following materials:    

• Lead 
• Polybutylene
• Galvanized Steel
• CPVC
• PEX

Even copper pipes can be potentially hazardous to small children. If your plumbing in Orlando is damaged with debris and hard water deposits, the resulting contamination will affect you in both the short and long term. Routine inspections of your plumbing system can reveal common but easily remedied health concerns.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Blocked Drains Do Not Block Bacteria

Clogs and blocked drains are more than an inconvenience. The unclean odor that arises from blocked pipes is often the result of bacteria and mold growth that spreads through your Orlando plumbing instead of being quickly flushed.  Furthermore, pools of stagnant water collecting in your piping system will attract insects and unwanted pests that spread disease throughout your home.

Leaky Pipes Keep the Damp In

Always have an experienced Orlando plumber check for small leaks and damaged pies throughout the home. Constantly leaking pipes create dank spaces behind walls, under sinks, and beneath flooring where mildew spreads easily. You and your loved ones will be breathing in the effects of this out of control fungal growth before the leak is even noticed. Poor air quality in damp, mildew ridden homes can lead to respiratory problems and allergies.

Sewage Is Always Unwanted

Sewage water brings worse ailments than just the unpleasant odor of rotten waste. It is absolutely crucial to ensure regular maintenance of your sewage drainage system, due to the harmful nature of contaminants and diseases that can spread to your drinking water. Even if you filter your drinking water, most filters can only separate sediments and debris and not the harmful viruses that become dissolved into your water.  E-coli bacteria, hepatitis, and salmonella are only a few examples of toxins that will put your family at risk if the septic system is not properly maintained.

Always have a professional Orlando plumber perform any repairs to your septic tank or drainage system. Any surfaces that come into contact with contaminated water can spread the disease to children, pets, and family members. Drinking, cooking, or bathing with contaminated water from a faulty plumbing system can lead intestinal problems, immunity weakness, damaged skin, and chronic nausea.

There are multiple reasons to consider talking to your preferred Orlando plumber about the installation of a tankless water heater. Alongside the average home owner’s desire to save on household utility costs is a growing interest in overall efficiency and environmental preservation. Many people are even further motivated by the incentive of a Federal tax rebate offered to homeowners who update their property with more efficient appliances. If you think you may benefit from treating your Orlando plumbing with a new tankless water heater, consider these possible factors.

The Pros:

Have Hot Water When You Need It

Unlike a traditional water heater that needs time to heat up after use, a tankless water heater begins running the moment you turn the faucet. The result is Orlando plumbing with immediate hot water that never runs out. No more rushing to be the first to the shower in the morning.   

It Only Runs When You Need It

Standard water heaters are constantly running, but the tankless alternative only runs while in use. This feature is the key component that delivers the savings and efficiency homeowners enjoy.

The Result:

• Less waste energy from constant running
• Less wasted water waiting for a running tap to heat
• An average 20 percent savings on utility bills
• Electric heaters emit no greenhouse gasses
• Safer with no hot tank or open pilot light

More Convenience and Less Worry

Tankless water heaters last 10 to 20 years longer than traditional water heaters that are typically only warranted by an Orlando plumber for 6 years. Because the units are smaller, they can be conveniently installed on a wall instead of taking up space in your house. Also, no oversized tank means no risk of flooding or leaks.

The Cons:

The Initial Cost is High

Tankless water heaters are 3 times more expensive than their counterparts. They can ultimately pay for themselves in savings, but it will take a few years for the savings to accumulate. 

You May Pay Extra From the Start

Not all homes, especially older designs, are equipped for installation.  You may have to pay the added cost of an additional gas line, further adding to already expensive initial costs. If you install an electric one, you may have to hire an electrician, in addition to an Orlando plumber, to completely rewire the house and install an additional circuit.

You May Require Water Softening

Hard water is a common problem to Orlando plumbing. If your house is running hard water, the heavy mineral deposits are extremely damaging to a tankless water heater. This means you will have to pay the additional cost of installing a water softener alongside your heater.

Maintenance Is More Crucial

A tankless water heater requires annual maintenance in order to maintain efficiency. Furthermore, the electronic control panels are somewhat confusing, and you may need assistance from a qualified plumber in Orlando to reconfigure settings for the winter.

Overall, tankless water heaters are more efficient and convenient for space and time. However, depending on your situation, the initial costs might not be worth the savings. Consult with a reliable plumber in Orlando for a more accurate analysis.

Unlike residential systems, Orlando plumbing designed to meet the demands of a commercial business is subject to the increased stress of daily customers and employees working the system at constantly high volume. Customers may be quick to complain about a powerful odor or a flooded bathroom, but all too frequently do minor problems go ignored until they become costly emergency repairs. Be prepared for these common issues in your business or office space.

Leaking Pipes Are Left Unattended

Leaking pipes can be responsible for countless dollars in wasted water costs literally sent down the drain. A single faucet losing one drop of water per second will waste 27,000  gallons in a year. If your business houses dozens or more slowly dripping faucets or poorly connected pipes, the cost could be exorbitant. Have an Orlando plumber regularly check for unseen leaks under sinks and behind walls that may be slowly accumulating on your water bill. Leaks are often easy to fix, but the problem is generally overlooked until structural damage begins, resulting in expensive repairs.

Silent Leaks Are Costly

Toilets are another common example of simple repairs that can save untold amounts of money. One constantly running toilet will waste 6,000 gallons of water in a single month, while customers and employees fail to alert anyone. An experienced plumber in Orlando will also want to check your toilets for silent leaks. Water leaking unnoticed from the tank can waste as much as 9,000 gallons in a month and show no signs of disrepair.

Clogs, Clogs, Everywhere

Clogged drains and pipes, especially in toilets and the U-shaped pipe under the sink, are a constant risk in kitchens, bathrooms, and any place serving the general public. People, in general, tend to be less considerate when outside of their homes, running food, paper towels, feminine products, dirt, and all manner of unacceptable materials down sinks and toilets. Backed up pipes can result in a foul sewage odor that will heavily affect business. Even the best Orlando plumbing can only take so much debris, so be prepared to make use of a plunger or drain snake fairly frequently.

If They Touch It, They Will Break It

Large numbers of heavy-handed customers tend to stress toilet flappers, seats, faucets, and various other fixtures to the point of breaking. The higher the volume of business your Orlando plumbing system is subject to, for children and adults alike, the more wear and tear you may be left to consistently maintain. A lot can be said for quality installation, so be sure to have a dependable Orlando plumber and be willing to purchase dependable, durable facilities that can withstand your expected flow of traffic.   

Plan Regular Visits With a Qualified Orlando Plumber

The best prevention for these costly and often unforeseen repairs is to plan regularly scheduled maintenance with a reliable plumber in Orlando. A lot of worries and excessive utility costs can be spared by regularly checking the plumbing system for these common issues. Older buildings and businesses that serve to a large yield of people are especially at risk for problems that become costly before they are even noticeable. Do not hesitate to call for a quick inspection.