Oldham Plumbing, LLC

09/13/2024

06/02/2024

Interesting......
The first modern flushable toilet was invented in 1596 by Sir John Harrington who installed one for his godmother, Queen Elizabeth 1.
His invention came complete with a water tank and a flush valve. However, the flush toilet wouldn't really take off for another 250 years. Most of the toilets in Medieval Europe were either holes in the ground, communal outhouses or chamber pots.
If you were lucky and born into tremendous wealth, you would have the luxury of using a garderobe (derived from the French word for "wardrobe"), which was a small rooms built adjacent to the wall of a medieval castle. The toilet would be connected to a vertical shaft that would run all the way down to the ground. Garderobes which literally translates to "guarding one's robes" originated from the practice of hanging clothes in the shaft as a way to kill fleas by using the ammonia in urine.
Occasionally some brave knights would conduct sneak attacks by entering the castle via the shaft connected to the garderobe. Throughout history, there have been a number of famous people who have died on the toilet. Several of them were stabbed from below while in the process of defecating.
These people include King Edmund II of England (30 November 1016), Jaromír Duke of Bohemia (4 November 1035), Godfrey IV Duke of Lower Lorraine (Circa. 26 or 27 of February 1076), Wenceslaus III of Bohemia (4 August 1306) and Uesugi Kenshin (19 April 1578).

05/27/2024

As I'm traveling Ancient Rome....I'll leave you with an interesting fact. Be grateful for Private indoor plumbing!

Romans Had Public Toilets
Because indoor plumbing was not in widespread use in ancient Rome, the empire installed “rooms of easement,” or communal toilets. The dedicated rooms appeared in several locations throughout cities and connected directly to the ancient Roman plumbing system.

The rooms were not complex, and did not have the same comforts as people are used to in modern restrooms. The communal toilets comprised a simple rectangular platform with adjacent seats and openings. While some of the bathrooms included partitions, these were not common. People sat side by side, regardless of gender. One room could house up to 20 toilets — not exactly a gathering you’d want to experience!

Beneath the toilet or latrine seats, water flowed continuously from the aqueducts. All waste from these public restrooms went into the sewers underneath the city and flowed to the Tiber River.

Not everyone enjoyed the prospect of sharing a squat with their neighbors, so some people installed private toilets in their residences that were not connected to the sewer system. The waste from these toilets was often collected and used in personal gardens as fertilizer, or sold to farmers for the same purpose.

05/08/2024

The most common cause for a high water bill is running water from your toilet. A continuously running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day or more depending on the volume flow down the drain. This can cause a terrible increase to a family's typical water use, so fix toilet leaks as soon as possible.

Tom Thomas notices that the water in the toilet keeps running. Simka and Nolik say that they shouldn’t mess with the bowl because Fixies can get flushed dow...

05/06/2024

We recently had the pleasure of satisfying the needs of another customer! They were experiencing a constant leak from their shower valve, which our investigation traced to a worn-out cartridge due to age. To address the issue, we had to cut a hole in the back wall (inside a closet) to access the valve and install a new one, complete with an access panel for future maintenance.

04/21/2024

# # Plumbing Advice: Tips for Homeowners

Plumbing is an essential part of any home, but it can also be a source of frustration when things go wrong. That's why it's important to have a basic understanding of plumbing so that you can troubleshoot minor problems yourself and avoid costly repairs.

Here are a few plumbing tips that every homeowner should know:

* **Know where your water shut-off valve is.** This is important in case of a leak or other emergency. The water shut-off valve is usually located near the water meter or in the basement.
* **Check your toilets for leaks.** Toilets are one of the most common sources of water leaks in homes. You can check for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color appears in the bowl within a few minutes, you have a leak.
* **Clean your drains regularly.** Clogged drains can lead to backups and other problems. You can clean your drains by pouring a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.
* **Be careful what you put down your drains.** Some things, such as grease, hair, and coffee grounds, can clog your drains. Avoid putting these things down your drains, and instead dispose of them in the trash.
* **Call a plumber if you have a major leak or other plumbing problem.** If you have a major leak or other plumbing problem, it's important to call a plumber right away. Trying to fix the problem yourself could make the situation worse.

By following these tips, you can help keep your plumbing system in good working order and avoid costly repairs.

Here are some additional plumbing tips that can be helpful:

* **Use a water softener if you have hard water.** Hard water can cause scale buildup in your pipes and fixtures, which can lead to problems. A water softener can help remove the minerals from your water and prevent scale buildup.
* **Insulate your pipes.** Insulating your pipes can help prevent them from freezing in the winter. This is especially important for pipes that are located in unheated areas of your home, such as the basement or attic.
* **Have your plumbing system inspected regularly.** A professional plumber can inspect your plumbing system and identify any potential problems. This can help you avoid costly repairs down the road.

By following these tips, you can help keep your plumbing system in good working order and avoid costly repairs.

04/17/2024

This customer added a new bathroom in the basement of their home. A new sewer line was required to accommodate the addition. Your needs can be met, just give me a call!

Below are before and after pictures of installing 50 foot of 4” sewer line from one end of the house and tied into existing 4” sewer line at the other end.

04/04/2024

Thanks for letting me be your Plumbing Guy. Your referrals are always appreciated!

04/02/2024

“If I had my life to live over again, I’d be a plumber.”
– Albert Einstein

03/24/2024

Please note when reading this article that there are different types of Cottenelle. The Cottenelle suggested in the article is Ultra Comfort Care. Cottonelle Ultra Comfortcare is specifically made for septic systems.

The best toilet paper for septic tanks is comfortable to use and readily dissolvable to keep your septic system happy. See top picks here.

03/21/2024

Are you tired of waiting on hot water in your shower or sink? Call me about a recirculating system...It's very reasonable and will solve your issues.

For most homes, an ideal solution for your cold-water problems is installing a hot water recirculating system. These systems circulate your unused water back to the heater, keeping hot water located in certain parts of your home and reducing your wait time. By having a hot water recirculating system, you not only don’t have to wait so long for warm water, but you’re also saving energy, money and water.