Plumbing is one of those things most homeowners don’t think much about until something goes wrong. But behind every faucet, toilet, and water heater are some surprising plumbing facts that can completely change the way you think about your home’s water system.
How much do you know about your plumbing? Test your knowledge by reading about these shocking facts!
1. Famous Plumbers
The famous video game brothers, Mario and Luigi, were both plumbers in all of their games. He was given the plumbing profession because a majority of the original game scenes took place underground and in sewers.
Additionally, Albert Einstein has stated that if he were not a physicist, he would have chosen to be a plumber. He would have chosen this career path for the “modest degree of independence” he could have found. Albert Einstein was eventually named an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union, A.F.L., in Washington, D.C.
2. Leaky Faucets
If you have a faucet, toilet, water heater, or virtually any other plumbing appliance that is leaking, you could be wasting more than 3,000 gallons of water every year.
The moral of this story is that if you notice a dripping sound or see a visible leak, call a plumber right away. They will be able to determine where the leak originated and provide a solution to prevent you from wasting thousands of gallons of water.
3. Super Bowl Flush
This phenomenon occurs during the Super Bowl, when football fans flock to the bathroom at the same time during halftime and immediately after the game ends. Whether toilets are actually flushed the most during this time is still up for debate, but some sewer systems have noticed dramatic drops in water levels during halftime and after the game, as water is pulled from reservoirs to refill toilet bowls.
4. Copper Piping
In 1994, during the excavation of a 4,500-year-old pyramid, archeologists uncovered the remains of a sophisticated copper plumbing system. They believe that the copper pipes were used to drain water from the tomb, which had been used to clean statues. While the overall condition of the pyramid was poor, the copper pipes remained in good condition, which is a testament to the longevity of copper piping.
Due to its longevity, copper piping has become the primary material for modern-day plumbing. In fact, more than 5.3 million miles of copper piping have been laid in buildings since 1963. That is enough copper piping to circle the earth 200 times!
5. DANGER!
Hot water can be one of the most dangerous elements in your home. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 3,800 injuries occur each year from scalding from hot tap water.
At 120 degrees Fahrenheit (the temperature that is recommended by most water heater manufacturers), it takes 5 minutes to burn your skin.
At 140 degrees Fahrenheit (the default temperature for water heaters), it takes 6 seconds to burn your skin.
It takes only 2 seconds to burn your skin at 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. How Much Water Do We Use?
- Bathtub – 36 gallons of water
- Shower – 2-5 gallons of water per minute
- Sink – 1-2 gallons of water per minute
- Dishwasher – 6-16 gallons of water
- Clothes Washer – 25-40 gallons per load
- Toilet – 1-4 gallons of water per flush
- Outdoor Watering – 2 gallons of water per minute.
7. Which Direction Does the Toilet Flush
There is a myth that in the southern hemisphere, when you flush a toilet, the water swirls down the pipes in the opposite direction. People attribute this belief to gravity, but it is not true.
In reality, the direction that the water swirls is dictated by the direction of the bowl’s rim jets. So you can make the water swirl in either direction, no matter which hemisphere you’re in.
Why These Plumbing Facts Matter for Your Home
Whether it’s the surprising amount of water your home uses each day or the hidden cost of a small leak, plumbing plays a bigger role in your daily life than you might realize. Understanding these eye-opening plumbing facts can help you stay proactive, save money, and protect your home from costly repairs down the road. The more you know about your plumbing, the better prepared you’ll be to keep everything running smoothly.
If you ever need real-life Mythbusters to solve your plumbing problems, give the experts at Coast Plumbing, Heating & Air a call. We offer services in Orange County for HVAC, air quality, and plumbing, so we can solve all your home’s problems.