Plumbing - correct and correct systems from the past to the present

Water supply and sewage system is one of the fundamental aspects without which proper functioning of the building is impossible. Incorrect and low-quality installation of such systems often leads to unforeseen dangers. We get a long-term, sustainable product only with a professional approach to work. With correct design and installation, we can avoid incorrect operation of the system and its accompanying troubles.

The advanced, comfortable and convenient plumbing systems available today are the result of ancient civilizations. Since ancient times, people have been thinking about creating similar systems that have simplified and changed human life.

What happened before a continuous water supply system was created for consumers, both for drinking and for domestic and industrial purposes? People chose areas that were close to a river or a lake as a permanent place of residence. In other cases, the population solved the water supply problem with well water.

The development of civilizations and the formation of large cities led to thinking about alternative ways of supplying water. The first water pipes date back to 2500-4000 BC. One of the first aqueducts was made in ancient Egypt and Persia. Then the ancient Romans and Greeks created and developed this direction. Babylon, Chinese and Indian cities also had central sewage systems.

One of the most outstanding engineering achievements of antiquity are the Roman aqueducts. Through an aqueduct (aqueduct, canal, pipe), water was directed to settlements, irrigation and hydropower systems. Before building them, engineers carefully tested the water quality. They also monitored the health status of the local population who drank this water. After the site was chosen, they determined the direction and slope of the pipes, as well as the size and length of the canals. The already used water from the bath was flowed through aqueducts into the sewage pipes and was continuously washed from waste. In addition, the lavatories of the baths were also washed with this water. In the first century AD, like baths, public latrines were an integral part of Roman infrastructure. But after the fall of the Roman and Greek empires, the development of such systems stopped for a long time.

As for materials, the earliest plumbing pipes were generally made of baked clay, and the Egyptians were the first to make and use copper pipes.

The age of revival

The question of creating sewers was returned to in Europe only during the renaissance. Poor sewage systems often led to mass epidemics. Due to the lack of sanitary standards, diseases spread much faster and many people died. In the Middle Ages, the first water supply system was made of wood. In 1664, King Louis XIV of France ordered the construction of main plumbing lines made of cast iron. Two centuries earlier, the famous Italian artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci, designed the construction of a toilet and sewage system, but the project could not be realized.

As far as Georgia is concerned, we still have the remains of the ancient water supply system (made of clay) from the Amtic period, for example in Uplistsikhe and Vardzia. Unfortunately, in the Middle Ages, the situation in Tbilisi was similar to that of European cities. Maintenance of the sewage system began at the end of the 70s of the 19th century. From the 30s of the 20th century, more than 70% of buildings in Tbilisi were already connected to the sewage system.

The impact of the industrial revolution

The Industrial Revolution (18th-19th centuries) led to significant advances in plumbing. Iron and later galvanized steel replaced lead pipes and indoor plumbing became more common in cities. New inventions developed and made human life comfortable.

Plastic pipe materials such as PVC and ABS gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to their availability and ease of installation.

Modern plumbing

Throughout history, plumbing has played a critical role in improving sanitation, public health, and the general standard of living. Modern plumbing systems continue to evolve, focusing on water conservation, sustainability and greater efficiency. Innovations in technology and materials have led to improved water heaters, sewage treatment plants and a variety of environmentally friendly appliances.

As mentioned, technological advances continue to influence the shaping and improvement of plumbing systems to meet the needs and challenges of modern life. In the modern world, there is no construction development without water supply and drainage systems. It is impossible to imagine any building without plumbing systems.

To a certain extent, the water supply and drainage system is less popular than other engineering positions, perhaps because it is less visible and noticeable to the average user in everyday life, but it is enough to imagine a day without it and we will understand how vital it is.

As in ancient times, in the modern world there are many challenges in this regard. The development of modern architecture and buildings has led to new difficulties in the field of water supply and drainage. Today we have to collect and store drinking water, filter and monitor its suitability for drinking, temperature control, etc. We have many types and types of plumbing fittings, which have different conditions of use and differences in purpose, therefore a qualified approach is needed to create a financially, technologically and most importantly technically correct and correct system design and installation.