subject: Little Known Plumbing Facts [print this page] Plumbing is a common part of most homes and commercial businesses. We may take our toilets, showers and sinks for granted until we don't have them. Bathrooms in American are actually very luxurious compared to many other countries around the world, even well developed ones. Many countries lack flush toilets and think it's odd to have water, a precious commodity, floating around to accompany excrement into the sewer system. Here are some interesting tidbits about plumbing:
- Water closets: An early name for bathrooms was water closets. In England, the initials W.C. are in evidence instead of "bathroom" or "restroom."
- No toilet paper: In some highly developed countries, such as Germany, individuals who want to use public toilets must supply their own toilet paper. Carrying some tissue with your at all times becomes a common practice.
- Spinning seat: In some European public bathrooms, there are toilets with spinning seats that begin to spin after you're done using the facilities. An arm also comes out, wipes the seat and dries it.
- Paying for the privilege: That's right; many public toilets in Europe cost money to use. In the U.S., this was also a common practice a few decades ago. It was only a coin, but when you're empty handed, this can be a problem.
- Lots of strange sayings over the years: Using the toilet has been called a multitude of things over the years. Here are some sayings in past and present:
o "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
o "Painting the porcelain."
o "Going to the powder room."
o "Need to use the facilities."
o "Taking a trip to the little boys room or little girls room."
o "Sitting on the throne."
o "Taking a leak."
- Some plumbing parts have odd names, too.
o Sweating the pipes together: No, there's no actual perspiration. Instead, a welding tool joins pipes so they can't leak.
o Snake: No not a reptile, an auger for clearing clogs in toilets and pipes.
o Drip channel: This is a metal device on a shower to keep drips from spilling out. It sounds like a television channel.
- Toilet paper origins: An American man first invented T.P. in the mid 1800's. His product was flat and stacked. Scott Toilet Paper Company began in the 1860's when some Scott relatives invented a roll of perforated paper. England tried a variety of options, too, such as moist TP and double-ply.
Although we may take our plumbing for granted in our homes and offices, there are lots we don't know about it. All of the above are just a few examples.
