We’re Spoiled in America
So much of modern conveniences we take for granted here in the US, especially our plumbing. We expect the hot and cold water to pour instantly when we turn on the faucets. And getting the water temperature just right is simply a matter of adjusting the faucets until we find the temperature for take a shower or washing our hands is “just right.”
But Not in Britain . . .
One of the unique quirks of British living is separate hot and cold faucets, for older homes in particular. You might think “What’s wrong with that?” Well, you either have to put up with really hot water or really cold water – there’s no adjusting the faucets to find that perfect temperature! You could fill the sink bowl with hot and cold water to get the proper temperature you seek. But you can’t do it with running water.
Tom Scott gives a short, but very informative, lesson about why separate hot and cold faucets are so prevalent in the UK. Enjoy some good “plumbing trivia” today.
More History . . .
And if your curiosity has been piqued, here’s an excerpt from a related article published in The Wall Street Journal:
“Most bathroom sinks in Britain still have separate hot and cold taps today, 60 years after Mr. Churchill’s conversion and decades after nearly all dual taps were scrapped in the U.S. and most vanished from continental Europe. For reasons of thrift, regulations and a stubborn attachment to tradition, the British have resisted the tide of plumbing history. Even when they renovate old homes, many choose two-tap systems, and builders often install them in new, low-end housing. Separate taps account for an estimated 40% of all bathroom-faucet sales in the U.K.”
You can read the rest of the article here . . .
Feeling Nostagic?
So if you think separate hot and cold faucets are really cool and retro, give us a call at Hubb Plumbing today. We can make that happen. But we also install standard faucets, too. For over 30 years Hubb has delivered quality plumbing service to homeowners with fair pricing and highly experienced technicians. We are the hometown favorite in Snellville.