If you’re like most people, you may only think about plumbing when you find yourself standing knee-deep in a puddle of water in your basement. However, you really shouldn’t underestimate how important plumbing is to your everyday life. So, we dug deep and discovered some amazing plumbing statistics that could alter your overall views about plumbing.
Some Fun Facts for Homeowners
If you’re a homeowner who really wants to learn more about the plumbing industry or are simply interested in reading some really interesting plumbing facts, read on. We’re going to expose some plumbing history, as well as a bit about how indoor plumbing can vary internationally. You’ll even discover the richest plumber worldwide and so much more right here.
The Start of Plumbing
Here are a few interesting facts about how plumbing got its start:
- The word “plumber” goes back to ancient Rome and was originally derived from the Latin word “plumbum,” meaning lead, which was used in ancient Roman drain pipes.
- Standardized plumbing goes all the way back to 3000 BCE.
- Flushable toilets were first envisioned in the year 1596.
- Single-handle faucets were invented in 1939 by Al Moen.
People and Their Plumbing
Here are some stats about average folks and their plumbing usage:
- During their lifetime, the average human being spends approximately 92 days on the toilet.
- The average family in the U.S. goes through around 400 gallons of water per day.
- Even small leaks can be responsible for wasting about 10,000 gallons of water annually.
- People flush toilets more total times during the Super Bowl halftime than at any other time of the year. (Must be all that beer!)
About Plumbers & the Plumbing Industry
Here are some little-known facts about this:
- It’s believed that by the year 2025, the market for plumbing fixtures will be worth approximately $121.9 billion!
- Just in the U.S. alone, there are around 480,600 licensed plumbers.
- Being a plumber has proven to be the profession that can best survive any economic recession in the U.K.
- Plumbers usually have to complete a four- or five-year apprenticeship for becoming trade experts in the U.S.
- The world’s richest plumber is Charlie Mullins of the U.K. whose company is worth about £70 million ($87.9 million USD).
Contact Us Today
If you live in beautiful El Paso where the stars shine bright at night and would like more plumbing information, contact us today. At Choice Plumbing USA in El Paso, we’re available to answer your questions and provide a range of plumbing services, including drain cleaning, leak detection, and water heater repairs and installation.