Did You Know? Plumbing Trivia!

At Orlando’s own Michael’s Plumbing, plumbing is our niche, and our plumbing professionals take pride in their experience, knowledge, and passion we bring to every job.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t try to trick them with some plumbing trivia.

See if you can stump your friends:

• Where does the word “plumbing” come from? It comes from the Latin word “plumbum,” which means “lead.” (For you chemistry nerds, “Pb” is also the symbol for “lead” on the periodic table.)
• How much water can a dripping faucet waste? If a faucet drips just twice per minute, more than one gallon of water is wasted in one week alone. (You can find out exactly how much your dripping faucet wastes water by utilizing our Leak Calculator.)
• Is it true that water flows in the opposite direction when you flush a toilet in the Southern Hemisphere? Nope. Water can flow in either direction, no matter where you are located on the globe.
• Why is a street maintenance hole cover always shaped in a circle? This way, if the cover is turned sideways, the cover cannot fall through the opening.
• What is the earliest evidence of indoor plumbing? Archaeologists uncovered evidence of indoor plumbing in Egyptian palaces dating back to 2500 B.C., including the Pyramid of Cheops.
• How did the toilet get the nickname “the john”? Queen Elizabeth I’s godson, Sir John Harrington, built the flushing toilet in 1596. However, the first-ever patent for a flushing toilet wasn’t awarded until 1775 for Englishman Alexander Cummings.
• How can I save money with my toilet? Have the experts at Michael’s Plumbing install a low-flush toilet, saving you up to 18,000 gallons of water a year.
• What famous rock artist almost became a plumber instead of a metalhead? Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne was a plumbing apprentice after he left school at 15 as he pursued his passion of being a musician.
• Which is usually the cleanest toilet in a public restroom? The last stall in a row of bathroom stalls in a public restroom is typically the first stall, meaning it is the cleanest.
• What notable genius said if he had to choose, he’d be a plumber? Albert Einstein publicly stated that if he had to choose a different life path, it would be as a plumber. So the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union named Einstein an honorary member.
• How much copper piping has been installed in the United States? Since records were first kept in 1963, more than 28 billion feet of copper plumbing tube were installed in the United States. That can wrap around the Earth more than 200 times.

Now you’re prepared for your next trivia night! Let our knowledgeable staff teach you more about plumbing and how you can keep your utility bills under budget when you call Michael’s Plumbing at 407-219-9772.

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