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3 Essential Questions About Plumbing Systems

In honor of St. Valentine’s Day, plumbing experts have decided to share the answers to three common questions about plumbing systems to help homeowners get to know their homes a little better. These questions all have a little bit of comedy, trivia, and interesting knowledge in their answers. So read on to discover the answer to three essential plumbing questions. 

Why Is a Toilet’s Sometimes Called “the John?”

Early versions of the flushing toilet have been around for a very long time. But it wasn’t until the late 16th century that they became known as “the John.” During Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, there was an inventor and poet named John Harrington. He was one of over 100 of the Queen’s godsons. And, as were his ways of making the nobles angry with his poetry, he was known as her “Saucy Godson.” 

But his name wasn’t transferred to the porcelain throne until he developed a flushing toilet for the Queen. Reports vary, but apparently, the Queen wouldn’t use it because it was too loud for her royal ears. After John Harrington developed the predecessor to the modern toilet, he wrote a “toilet manual” about it. 

Only it wasn’t just a manual. It took shots at some members of the nobility, comparing them to the waste that goes down the toilet. Thus, he was exiled from the kingdom, lucky not to have been executed.  

Which Way Does Water Spin South of the Equator?

Perhaps homeowners have seen the Simpsons episode where Bart and company go to Australia, ostensibly to see if the toilets flush in the opposite direction as those north of the equator. Even if they haven’t seen that episode, they’ve probably heard that water does drain clockwise south of the equator and counterclockwise north of it. This is an incredibly persistent myth. 

It’s based on the Coriolis forces affected by the earth’s movement. Indeed, hurricanes spin clockwise south of the equator and counterclockwise north of the equator. So, it would seem that the same would be true for water in the toilet, right? Not quite. See, the Coriolis forces act on a large scale. Although they influence the way water moves, they’re not enough to cause water to spin one way or the other. Instead, scientists have determined that the toilet’s design ultimately decides which way the water flows. 

In other words, it’s how the water is moving when it enters the toilet that determines which way it spins. The same goes for sinks, tubs, and any other drain they can think of. It’s all about the basin’s design and how the water enters initially. 

How Much Water Can a Leaky Faucet Waste?

Most homeowners have probably heard some big numbers thrown around when it comes to leaky faucets. The truth is, each faucet is a little different when it comes to how much water is wasted. Mostly it is a factor of how often the faucet drips and how long it’s allowed to keep doing so. 

For example, if a home has one leaky faucet that drips 30 times per minute, one drip every other second, then that leak alone is wasting around 2 gallons per day. That’s over 1000 gallons a year! Water is best used for other things, and it hurts the wallet when the water bill comes due. Luckily, faucet leaks are easy to fix, so homeowners can fix them as soon as they notice a leak!

About Albert Nahman Services

The friendly folks at Albert Nahman Services have been serving Berkely, CA, residents with pride since 1981. They are a family-owned business that offers up-front pricing and 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Their technicians are always courteous, helpful, and ready with the tools for the job. Call now for expert plumbing services!