Plumbing has a long history full of odd and interesting trivia. After all, the journey from the earliest origins of irrigation to today's sophisticated water and sewage systems started millenniums ago. While the technical side of plumbing is complicated, you don't have to be a plumber to appreciate these five facts.

5 Fascinating Plumbing Facts

1. It Can Be Found in Pyramids

Modern plumbers rely heavily on copper pipe — and so did the ancient Egyptians. The Pharaoh Sahure, who ruled from 2517 to 2505 B.C., had copper plumbing incorporated into his funeral complex to drain the water used for cleaning one of the temples.

2. It Started With the Babylonians

Do you know when plumbing was invented? If you're thinking of Roman baths or medieval sewers, you're way off. The earliest clay sewer pipes date back to about 4000 B.C. in Babylonian constructions. Plumbing technology advanced through the centuries, and by the first century A.D., Ephesus boasted orderly public toilet facilities that can still be visited today.

3. There Are Many Miles of Pipes

We've come a long way in the last 4500 years. While copper pipe might have been reserved for royalty back then, today you could circle the earth 200 times with the copper pipe installed in America since 1936.

4. There’s More Than One Plunger

As plumbing systems developed, so did the tools we use to maintain them. Did you know there are two kinds of plungers? The flat-bottomed ones are for showers, tubs, and sinks, not for toilets. A toilet plunger has a narrowed bottom to fit the shape of the toilet bowl to more effectively force water through the pipe.

5. Leaks Are a Money Drain

A dripping faucet is more than just an annoyance. A drip or leak that fills an 8 oz glass in 15 minutes is losing a whopping 2160 gallons per year. This is why leak detection is crucial to saving money.

The next time you call a local plumber, take a moment to appreciate the long history of plumbing and what it means for you. Thanks to modern technology and infrastructure, you have hot water and sewer service you can rely on right in your home.

A-1 Budget Plumbing in Kailua, HI, provides 24/7 plumbing service across Oahu. Their skilled plumbers offer leak detection, video inspections for drains, gas line repairs, and water heater installations. To schedule a visit, call (888) 395-2710 or send a message online.