New Construction

Plumbing History and Facts

The term plumbing is taken from the Latin word 'plumbum,' which stands for lead. Plumbing is the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures for drinking water systems and the drainage of waste. The plumbing industry is a basic and substantial part of every developed economy in order to supply clean water and to transport waste.

Plumbing originated during the ancient civilizations such as the Greek, Roman, Persian, Indian, and Chinese civilisations. This is because the need for plumbing was soon realised as public baths were developed to provide portable water and drainage; however the development and improvement of plumbing systems was very slow with virtually no progress made until the 19th century.

Eventually, however, the development of separate, underground water and sewage systems eliminated open sewage ditches and cesspools. Since the development of the plumbing system in the 19th century the materials used in present day plumbing systems involve a network of high-pressure pumps and pipes, which as now made of copper, brass, plastic, steel and cast-iron, lead is no longer used in the installation of modern plumbing systems due to its toxicity.

CREDITS

COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION

RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION

Plumbing History and Facts