Can you think of the days before indoor plumbing in a home was the norm? Probably not. Indoor plumbing dates back to at least 2500 B.C. But if you take it for granted, you’re not alone. Here are 4 Reasons We Should Be Incredibly Thankful for Indoor Plumbing.
No more outhouses
Back before indoor plumbing, people had to go outside and use an outhouse to relieve themselves. Try to imagine going to the bathroom on the coldest day of winter or the darkest hour of the night. The average person spends three years of their life on the toilet, and you get to do that in the comfort of your own home now. You just have to deal with your cat’s paw under the door instead of wildlife staring at you while you pee.
Single-use baths
Before indoor plumbing, families used to fill up a metal bucket big enough for a person for a bath. The oldest would get to bath first, and the youngest had to go last. Back then, they typically had bigger families than we do now, and extended family often lived under the same roof. Can you imagine what the water looked like for the last kid bathing after 10 others? Good thing that’s not a problem anymore!
Water is more accessible
Hundreds of years ago, people used to have to walk to the nearest lake or well to get the water they needed for the day. Now we have water on demand. You don’t have to wait for someone to haul in gallons of water in a giant tub when you can just turn on the faucet to get water. Laundry, showers, cooking, and more can be done in the blink of an eye because our water is so accessible with indoor plumbing.
No more stove heating
Finally, you don’t have to heat your water over the fire anymore if you want hot water. Most people have hot water heaters that give you hot water within seconds. Again, showers and baths sound a lot better now than they did before indoor plumbing.
According to a recent American Community Survey, 630,000 homes in the United States do not have complete plumbing. Can you imagine living without these benefits of indoor plumbing? Don’t take indoor plumbing for granted, and do what you can to help those who need it.
Stacie says
May 21, 2018 at 8:46 pmI cannot imagine life without indoor plumbing. I’m grateful for it every day. I’m not kidding. Indoor plumbing is great!
Krystel | Disney on a Budget says
May 21, 2018 at 9:13 pmYES. I am one of those adults who loves soaking in the bath tub so I am huge fan of indoor plumbing.
Connie says
May 21, 2018 at 9:43 pmI always joke with my husband that this is the reason I was born at this time in the world. It is also one of the reasons I do not like to camp…go figure 🙂
Michelle Waller says
May 21, 2018 at 9:58 pmI could not handle not having indoor plumbing! After a weekend of camping I appreciate the bathroom a whole lot more!
Meagan says
May 21, 2018 at 10:03 pmI could NOT live with an outhouse! Indoor plumbing is something I take for granted every day. Nice to step back and think about how lucky we are.
Lisa Joy Thompson says
May 21, 2018 at 10:09 pmIt’s so sad to me that there are still people who don’t enjoy the luxury of indoor plumbing…especially in the US. I used to teach music at a school for homeless students and many of them lived in sub-par housing situations without running water. They relied on the bathrooms at school for general hygiene. 🙁 It’s heartbreaking.
robin rue says
May 21, 2018 at 10:09 pmOMG imagine having to use an outhouse? YUCK! Thank god we have indoor plumbing these days!!!
Allison Cooper says
May 21, 2018 at 11:30 pmYES TO ALL OF THIS! I can’t even imagine having to get up and go to an outhouse – can you imagine during pregnancy? So thankful!
Kita says
May 22, 2018 at 12:12 amMy grandmother would tell us stories about using the outhouse. I just can’t imagine having to do that. I am more than grateful for indoor plumbing. Thanks for the reminder.
Dawn Lopez says
May 22, 2018 at 1:34 amI definitely agree with you! Using an outhouse was never one of my favorite things to do.
Chrissy says
May 22, 2018 at 1:39 amWe are so fortunate. I can’t even imagine.
Amy Desrosiers says
May 22, 2018 at 1:42 amI could never even imagine not having indoor plumbing!! We have 3 bathrooms in our home and use them all like crazy.
krystal says
May 22, 2018 at 3:17 amWe shouldn’t take it for granted for sure. Good insight on how plumbing is important,
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
May 22, 2018 at 5:07 amI totally agree! Indoor plumbing is one of the greatest thing ever invented, I think!
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reesa says
May 24, 2018 at 11:52 pmI couldn’t even imagine living in a world without indoor plumbing! Just the thought is beyond me. SO THANKFUL!