You might not give much thought to your home’s drainage system until you have a problem and need to contact a drain cleaning contractor. However, this important part of a property’s infrastructure has been making homes safer and more comfortable for centuries. Below is a brief guide to the history of home drainage systems.

Bronze Age

Some of the earliest forms of drainage construction were developed by the Indus Valley Civilization, which began during the Bronze Age more than 5,000 years ago. Several cities in the region that is now Pakistan and India used terracotta pipes to take water from bathrooms to drains in the street. In some areas, these drains were built from brick and placed underground, which was very sophisticated engineering for the time.

Ancient Rome & Greece

Like many other forms of engineering, the ancient Greeks and Romans were pioneers in developing drainage systems. In Knossos, the capital of the Minoan civilization on the Greek island of Crete, clay pipes were laid underground for sanitation. The city also planned for drain cleaning by flushing their stone sewers with clean water. The Cloaca Maxima sewerage system, built in Rome in the 6th century BC, is still used.

Flushing Toilets 

The Minoans actually had an early form of flushing toilets, but the type we know today began with an invention by Sir John Harington, the godson of Queen Elizabeth I of England, in 1596. Another English inventor, Alexander Cumming, received a patent for a flush toilet in 1775. His design included an innovative S-shaped pipe below the bowl to stop sewer gas from escaping out through the toilet. 

Transforming a City

The industrial revolution in Europe saw cities grow rapidly, and this created a major sewerage problem. A very hot summer in London during 1858, which brought terrible odors from open sewage in the River Thames, forced city planners to take action. A solution was found by Joseph Bazalgatte, who by 1866 had developed a sewer network that still forms the basis of London’s modern sewerage system and inspired other cities around the world.

To enjoy all the benefits of an efficient modern drainage system, keep your pipes free from clogs by using a professional drain cleaning service. American Rooter in Watertown, CT, is a family-owned business that provides services throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. They offer 24-hour help in case of emergencies. Other services include septic tank cleaning, flooded basement pumping, and snaking water jetting services. Call (860) 274-7338 to schedule an appointment or visit their website to learn more.