A plumber is a professional who specializes in sewage, drainage, and potable water systems. They install and repair all of these systems in your home or office. They can help you make a big difference in your home. But, before you hire a plumber, you should know some interesting facts about them.

Plumbing is a very old trade, going back thousands of years. The word ‘plumbing’ actually comes from the Latin word for lead. The Indus Valley Civilization invented plumbing systems with earthen pipes made of asphalt, and the Romans invented lead pipes and manhole covers with inscriptions. Several innovations have been made in the plumbing industry over the years, including the voice-activated toilet and low-flush toilets. Low-flush toilets save up to 18,000 gallons of water each year, and the first flushing toilet was patented by Alexander Cummings in 1775.

The average family wastes 180 gallons of water per week, or about nine thousand gallons a year. That’s the equivalent of over three hundred loads of laundry. Albert Einstein once said that he wanted to be a plumber, and the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union made him an honorary member. Plumbing is a profession that saves the environment by reducing water usage. In the past, lead was commonly used in water pipes and plumbing workers were referred to as plumbarius. In 1988, however, this practice was banned by federal law.

Besides piping, plumbing was a popular profession in the early 20th century. Throughout history, plumbers have made countless contributions to society. Some of the most popular plumbing inventions date back as far as three thousand years. Albert Einstein was an honorary member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union in 1919. Some of the world’s most popular video game characters are plumbers, including Mario and Luigi. While they were carpenters when they first appeared on the scene, they eventually changed their profession to plumbers and became icons.