9781422276884

A Little History

• The ancient Egyptians were one of the first cultures to use piping to carry water in and out of buildings. • The ancient Romans built vast aqueduct systems to transport water. The first such aqueduct was built for the city of Roma and was operational in 312 B.C. Approximately one-thousand Roman aqueducts are known today. • The flush toilet was invented in 1596. • In 1738, the valve-type flush toilet was invented. • In 1775, a version of the type of toilet we use today was patented. • In 1829, the Tremont Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, became the first hotel to have indoor plumbing. • The first packaged toilet paper was invented in 1857. Sources: Roto-Rooter, Smithsonian

Commercial plumbers work on large plumbing systems at schools, hospitals, water parks, sports stadiums, and shopping centers. These buildings feature complex, industrial-grade pipes and fixtures. Thousands of people use these systems regularly. Typical duties for commercial plumbers include: • Laying water and sewer delivery and drainage pipes by following blueprints • Connecting these pipes to municipal water and sewage systems • Installing and maintaining large-scale waste removal and water-supply systems • Installing fixtures in washrooms, industrial kitchens, bar areas, and pool and recreation areas • Installing sprinkler systems • In some instances, installing water heaters or boilers, although these tasks are typically done by heating and cooling technicians.

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