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When you have your morning shower here in West Covina, CA, did you ever stop and think about what it was like to take a shower in ancient times? Some of the earliest showers were in ancient Greece for the Olympic athletes.

Water flowed from above out of a metal pipe so that they could clean up after their athletic competition. Here are some other fun facts about the history of indoor plumbing.

Early Plumbing History

Indoor plumbing originated in about 4000 – 3000 B.C. in India. Archeologists have uncovered the first known water pipes in the ruins of a palace. These pipes services bathrooms, which had drains. There were rudimentary toilets as well, which used a septic tank of sorts.

A few centuries later in Crete an underground drainage system was constructed. The first flushing toilet is thought to have come from Crete during the same era. There is a difference of opinion on this matter; there are those that credit the first toilet to a Neolithic village in the UK, which dates back 1200 earlier.

Egypt and Rome: Plumbing Continues to Evolve

The Egyptians built bathrooms in their pyramids. They had latrines that “flushed” (using buckets of water by hand) into pipes below. They built similar bathrooms in their tombs, out of reverence for the dead.

They believed that the dead were still living, but were on “the other side”, which meant that they still required the same necessities (i.e. food, water, and bathrooms) that they did when they were alive. The Romans are hailed to this very day as some of the best plumbers that history has ever seen.

This is because of the complexity of the aqueduct system that they built, spanning hundreds of miles. This sophisticated network of pipes supplied fresh water to their bathhouses.

The water was heated for bathing and for the steam rooms. The Romans were also famous for elaborate marble plumbing fixtures with gold and silver fittings.

No Toilets at Versailles

Marie Antoinette was famous for her taste for luxury and excess, but her palace at Versailles didn’t have indoor toilets, despite having the main sewer line installed years earlier.

They instead used commodes, which were dumped communally. It was common for people to head out to the gardens to use the bathroom or even to go in the hallways. Needless to say, Versailles was a smelly place.

Plumbing Goes Green

Indoor plumbing has continued to evolve to serve the end user according to their changing needs. Homeowners today are very conscious of water use. The technology has changed to make plumbing fixtures more eco-friendly.

The technology has changed to make plumbing fixtures more eco-friendly. Low-flow showers slow the rate of water, while still providing more than enough for a satisfying shower.

 

When something is off with your drains and your water, your nose will let you know. It’s very common for homeowners to experience unpleasant, musty or sulfuric smells originating in their drains on in their water.

While you may not be a trained plumber, a little investigative work can help you determine what is causing these smelly problems; you can also decide if you can take care of the problem yourself or if you need professional back up.

Locate the P-Trap

The P-trap may sound complicated, but it is easy to find. Locate the curved part of the pipe underneath your bathroom and kitchen sinks. It has an important job to do.

Gases naturally come from the sewer, and they don’t smell very good. The P-trap uses a cushion of water to keep those smells from coming in your home.

If the P-trap dries out, there is no barrier, and smells can roam freely.

Your P-trap will dry out for one of two reasons: the sink hasn’t been used in a while, or the seal has broken around the P-trap.

First, figure out if the seal is broken and fix it needed. Second, run the water to refill the P-trap.

Water Heater Bacteria

If the smell has a sulfuric quality, check the water heater. The moist and damp environment will promote bacteria growth which can cause a chemical reaction with the anode rod that is inside your tank.

The rod works to keep corrosion at bay. If your heater has been off for a long time or if the temp is set too low, that can get the bacteria out of whack. Adjust the temp accordingly and replace the anode rod.

Sewer Situation

Sewer line problem smells appear everywhere in your home, but they may be strongest in the basement.

This is because if you have a compromised sewer line, sewage may be backing up around and underneath your foundation.

If you suspect this is the problem, you need to call for your plumber right away because your basement is at risk for flooding.

Don’t Forget Ventilation

Water goes through your pipes, but so do gases and air.

If the pipe isn’t properly ventilated (i.e. if there is a blockage) the smelly gases need to find another route, which is often back up through your drains.

Common blockage is caused by animal nests, debris, tree roots or sand and silt. Get your drains professionally cleaned to remove the blockage.

 

The unpleasant task of having to clean your toilet is something a lot of us try to push off as much as possible. It smells and it’s just plain gross but all that bacteria is not going away unless some serious disinfecting is involved. A lot of us rely on chemical sprays, foams, bubbles, and what not to get the job done but a lot of those chemicals can be harmful especially for pregnant women. Sometimes the best and safest solutions are sitting right there in your pantry. So if you’re looking to get that bowl squeaky clean with minimal elbow grease to boot then this is the recipe for you!

 

 

You’ll need:

• ½ cup citric acid
• ½ cup baking soda
• 25 drops essential oils (orange and lemon smell nice!)
• ½ cup cornstarch
• A spray bottle full of water
• Gallon size zip-top bag
• Cupcake molds

Instructions:

• Combine citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch into your ziplock bag and shake well.
• Spritz the mix 2-3 times with a bit of water, seal the bag and knead the mixture.
• Repeat 5-7 times.
• Knead the mixture until it has the same texture as pie dough.
• Add essential oils and knead again.
• Remove the mixture from the bag and pack it tightly into your molds.
• Leave them in a cool, dry spot to dry for 2-3 days.
• Next, remove them from their molds and dry for another 2-3 days.
• Store in an air-tight container.

To use, drop one into your toilet bowl and let it fizz out. Then, simply flush and you’re done!

 

(Source: DailyHealthPost.com)