What is the purpose of a Pittsburgh potty?

KOVASH: Most people in Pittsburgh agree that these toilets, or Pittsburgh Potties as they're sometimes referred to, were installed for miners and mill workers to use – especially when they came home from work so that they could clean up before going into the nice part of the house.

What's the point of a Pittsburgh toilet?

Its primary function was to serve as a cleanup station for steel mill workers to clean themselves after returning from work. The toilet fixtures would also limit the harm of sewage backups in hilly Pittsburgh, providing a lower, flushable outlet than the main part of the house.

Why do old houses have a random toilet in the basement?

According to popular Pittsburgh folklore, the historically industrial town's steelworkers and miners used them after a long day of work. To avoid tracking in grime, they'd go right to their basements to clean up before entering the main part of the house. But they're not only found in old homes in Pittsburgh.

Why do old houses have only one bathroom?

Because of the plumbing involved, installing walls and such for bedrooms was significantly less expensive than constructing bathrooms. So, the most straightforward answer is that having more than one bathroom was too expensive.

Where should I put my second toilet?

Peculiar Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh potty ... explained

Does a toilet need a window?

Whether you're building a new home or planning a bathroom renovation, one question you might encounter is, “Does a bathroom need a window?” The short answer is yes. It's absolutely crucial that your bathroom has some type of ventilation to remove unwanted moisture.

Can a toilet be next to a kitchen?

You can install a toilet next to the kitchen, but there are several factors to think about. Space requirements, building codes, and plumbing requirements all play a part. You are allowed a toilet next to your kitchen, but it is not going to be easy.

Why do old houses have sinks in bedrooms?

I lived in a large victorian home some years ago and every bedroom had a sink in the corner It was actually very useful when we only had one bathroom. It meant we could wash our faces, brush teeth etc in the privacy of our own rooms and not clog up the bathroom with people attempting to do the same.

When did outhouses stop being used?

Well into the 20th century, outhouses remained in use in cities, as well as the country.

Why do old houses have connecting bedrooms?

Historically, each room tended to have a very particular use, so it was advantageous to keep them separate. There was a practical element to this, too: The ability to close doors between rooms also helped heat and cool the home—no sense wasting energy in rooms weren't being used.

Why do old houses have the bathroom off the kitchen?

Smaller rooms were easier to heat, and unused rooms could be closed off to preserve heat for occupied spaces. (In the warm months, farm folks spent little time indoors except to eat and sleep - they were out working their tails off!) Large rooms were often a sign of wealth, that you could afford to heat them!

Why do old houses last longer?

Water destroys materials that are prone to rot — increased moisture content allows bacteria, fungi, and insects to survive and to use that wood as a food source. In old houses, they used materials that were more naturally rot resistant, such as old growth pine that are full of resins and natural chemicals.

What is a gravity toilet?

Gravity-assisted toilets function through gravity, as their name implies. When you push the handle, a valve opens within the tank and the water falls from the force of gravity. As the water falls inside the bowl a siphoning effect is created in the trapway at the base of the toilet.

Do macerating toilets work well?

Macerating toilets are as durable as standard toilets, usually working for around 10 to 15 years before any parts need replacing. They're also easy on the environment. While some models use the standard 1.6 gallons per flush (GPF), most upflush toilets use around 1.28 GPF, with some using as little as 0.8 GPF.

How did they empty out houses?

Some had a door on the lower level to allow the pit contents to be removed, but most were built of light lumber, so they could be moved easily. Wealthy families, however, often built brick outhouses with a cupola or gingerbread trim. Cut-outs were frequently included on outhouse doors for light and ventilation.

Can I put a toilet in my basement?

If you think plumbing can be difficult above ground, then you can only imagine the challenges that arise when installing a basement toilet. But don't give up just yet: With the right plumbing solutions for your space, you can easily install a basement toilet.

Where does the waste go in an outhouse?

An outhouse often provides the shelter for a pit latrine, which collects human feces in a hole in the ground.

Why is there a moon on outhouse doors?

Supposedly before the adoption of the more familiar male and female bathroom symbols, it was common to use a crescent moon to denote that an outhouse was for women and a sun to denote that it was an outhouse for men.

Why are there 2 holes in an outhouse?

To avoid the odor reaching the home, most outhouses were built between 50 and 150 feet from the main house, often facing away from the house. They had either one or two chamber holes inside — one for the adults and a smaller one for the children.

Why are English bedrooms so small?

There are two reasons why most British houses are so small: first, they were built before building regulations required larger homes; second, they're still being used for income rather than occupancy purposes, so owners don't need that much space.

Why do British have a sink in bedroom?

Indoor plumbing was an innovation in the Victorian era. In middle-class homes having a separate room for bathing was often a luxury. Bathroom sinks situated in bedrooms to serve as a washing station were common.

Why do the Dutch have sinks in the bedroom?

In the old days, sinks were often in the bedrooms because showers were not in your typical dutch apartment until about 50 years ago! In some unfurnished or shell apartments, there are no light fixtures installed before the tenant moves into the apartment.

Can I put a toilet in my garage?

Conclusion. You can put a toilet in your garage as long as the building codes in your city allow it, and the structure of your property supports it. Take some time to weigh your options and consider the investment carefully. Don't hesitate to get professional help if you feel you can't complete the process on your own.

Can I put toilet under stairs?

As you have probably already gathered from reading this blog post, having a toilet under your stairs is indeed possible. It's a great way to utilise the space underneath your staircase.

Does a downstairs toilet need a window?

Building regulations state any bathroom must have a window, ventilation, or both. It's also important that the new waste for the toilet is connected to your waste pipe, so the new WC needs to be located near outdoor drainage.