3 minute read
Modern-day take on centuries of plumbing
Australia is a comparatively young country by global standards. We are fortunate to have ready access to water and sewage; but, even living in modern areas with excellent infrastructure, having access to these amenities is not something to take for granted.
As many of us have experienced in the past year, when something is taken away, like our freedom to go where and when we please, we see just how much it has been taken for granted.
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BY JENNIFER KENT
While we enjoy the modern advancements of plumbing and, of course, the luxuries the great minds of the industry have created, the concept of waterways and systems are in no way modern.
What is your dream bathroom? Spa bath here…double shower here… self-cleaning vanity here (has anyone invented that yet?). Thankfully, our plumbing systems have come a long way in the past few centuries and (almost) anything is possible.
If we look back a few centuries (think 4,000 – 3,000 BC), systems that allowed citizens to carry water inland and dispose of waste were a part of the first concepts developed in ancient cities. Egyptians, for example, understood the need to access water in such a dry and arid country, creating clay pipes and developing systems to carry the water inland.
The modern-day sewerage systems now in use across the globe were first developed in Britain and through Europe in the 1700s and 1800s. In Australia, Adelaide was the first city to develop a fully functioning, water-born sewerage system. Check for signs of mould or moisture and rust on pipes, in particular flexi pipes as these are often the source of leakages.
Other common issues homeowners face come from the age of the property - look out for roofing issues in older homes - or certain systems - if your hot water system is over ten years old, be prepared for it to fail soon.
The infiltration of tree roots can also wreak havoc on underground pipes, causing blockages and damage.
Subsidence can have a particularly detrimental effect on a property’s underground plumbing. Take a look around for cracks and other signs of ground movement. While it may not be causing damage now, it is worth being aware of.
That was in 1881, when the average life expectancy of Australian adult was 47.2 years.
Fast forward to 2021 and we have easy access to water and rarely give a second thought as to whether our sewerage systems are working effectively.
Homes in cities, towns and less populated areas have water and waste systems, albeit the latter tend to run to things like septic, which may require more maintenance attention from the owner.
Like most things in the home, there’s no set and forget. Regular plumbing maintenance is just as important as the home’s paint job. Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s any less important.
If you are in home buying mode, taking note of the condition of the plumbing should be part of the process. So, what should you keep an eye out for come inspection time?
There are a few tell-tale signs that your new home’s plumbing might need an expert’s look-over.
D-I-Y plumbing jobs are one of them – if it looks poorly done, chances are it is.
