Every day we use services that have been ingrained in our lives we barely notice it. We only pay attention when it’s interrupted. For example, the infrastructure of the service was broken.
Many of us are surrounded by technology that makes us live in a fast-paced world. It’s humbling to be appreciative of the infrastructure that makes it all possible. Here are the four common types of infrastructure we usually take for granted.
1. Electrical Wires
It’s hard to imagine life without electricity. Almost every device and appliances’ are powered through electricity. As a matter of fact, it also powers us since we need these devices to cook our meals, to work, and to play.
Unlike a decade ago, there are fewer times when power is out. In most cases, the electricity will only be out if there’s a storm or natural disaster.
Since it’s automatic that houses, buildings, and other types of venues have electricity, electrical wires are rarely noticed.
2. Fluid Pipes
Now, if you don’t get any water or you can’t flush your toilet, you’ll pay special attention to your pipes. Most pipes are hidden in the walls, but their regular maintenance is still needed.
Every house and building needs its plumbing to work properly. So, taking care of the pipes that bring water in and bring waste out is very crucial to a good environment. These pipes are connected to the main water line and sewage system, respectively.
Depending on the material of your house’s pipes, it can last from 70 to more than 100 years. Unless there is damage to them, most house’s pipes do not need to be replaced often. Damages can come about if there are leaks or sudden changes in temperature.
Get the pipes checked at your houses on a regular basis to minimize extra out-of-pocket costs.
3. Pumps
Since we’re in the subject of plumbing, another infrastructure that’s often overlooked are pumps. Pumps help deliver fluids through the pipes.
For example, pumps are needed to deliver fresh water from the basement up to the third floor of a house. If you’re in a building, a more powerful pump is needed to get water up to the highest floor. Boiler feed pumps are used to deliver hot water in a condominium.
Aside from that, pumps are used in other building features such as sprinkler systems. Once triggered by the smoke alarm, the system is turned on and the pump goes to work.
4. Telephone and Cable Wires
Most houses in the U.S. are now fully installed with telephone and cable connections. As soon as you move in, all you have to do is call your telephone and cable company to get an account. Most often, you won’t need to do anything else aside from connecting your TV or landline to the designated ports.
Now, not everyone needs landline phones or cable anymore. So, why are they still important? It’s because your internet connection may also be dependent on them.
Depending on your chosen internet service provider, your wired internet connection may pass through your telephone or cable lines. It’ll be hooked up to your modem, which is then connected to your router. The router distributes the connection via WiFi.
And of course, when the WiFi goes out, everything’s not okay.
Getting to know how to maintain and repair these infrastructures is a great way to keep lives as normal. Once these infrastructures are broken, there’s a big chance that life is also interrupted.
