by Joe Brooks

Created on: September 05, 2009   Last Updated: September 08, 2009

Plumbing used to be cast-iron, copper, and steel, and required a soldering torch, a large wrench, and a hacksaw to get to work. No more. Modern plumbing is environmentally friendly and energy-use conscious. Plumbers and the purchasers of plumbing goods and services uses their consciences as well as their style and design senses when making choices for renovations or new installations. The systems we install now need to look good and work well, but do no harm to the environment, or at least as little as possible.

One of the original uses of plumbing was for waste removal. We have made some real advances in that area, and there are some options to consider when choosing waste removal systems. The time when low water use toilets didn't work is past. Those really save a lot of water. And you get get them now that offer a choice, called dual-flush toilets, that give you the option to decide if you really, really, ought to consider using the serious flush lever. There are even waterless urinals now, that use a high-tech sounding idea of a floating sealant that lets the waste run through, without using any water. That may be a little too advanced for you, as it is for me, but it is a choice you can make.

While we are speaking about low-flush, we can consider low water use in general. Again, the new technology has improved the low water use showers and sink faucets. They actually work, and you can get wet and clean. In addition, there are the tankless water heaters to consider. The may not exactly use less water, but they do waste less energy. That is an important part of the complexity of modern conscious plumbing choices. We still need to wash, but we can wash with less waste of water and energy.

Another advanced development makes the choice of piping system a lot less simple that it used to be. We have now the flexible piping, again a lot better than it used to be. We also have the development of epoxy piping to consider. The idea is this: it's not only what the material is, but how long it lasts. Metal is recyclable, yes, and natural you may say. But it doesn't last all that long. Corrosion sets in and damaging and even hazardous leaks can occur. Epoxy pipe and some of the other manufactured materials last much longer. They may not sound green, but the effect is energy saving and environmental impact reducing. Once installed, it works for years and years, and doesn't fail or have to be stripped out and tossed in a landfill.

Part of the complexity of modern plumbing

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>