Plumbing Knowledge

Before the Aqueducts: The Ancient Greek History of Water Distribution

Nick Jancovic explores how ancient Greece engineered water supply — the Tunnel of Eupalinos, Athenian pipe networks, and Pergamon's pressurized siphons — centuries before Rome made it famous.

By Nick Jancovic  ·  July 16, 2026

From Roman Aqueducts to Chicago Pipes: The Ancient History of Water Distribution

Nick Jancovic explores how ancient Rome built water distribution systems 2,000 years ago that still influence modern plumbing — aqueducts, lead pipes, Pompeii, and what they got right and deadly wrong.

By Nick Jancovic  ·  June 29, 2026

Measure Twice, Cut Once: Why We Do It Right the First Time

Nick Jancovic on why the lowest bid is rarely the lowest cost — and what doing the job right the first time actually looks like in practice.

By Nick Jancovic  ·  June 8, 2026

From the Back of a Van to the Front of the Shop: Why I Became a Plumber

Nick Jancovic shares his story — apprentice days on a Navy base, founding Einstein Plumbing in 2011, and almost getting sued by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for using the Einstein name.

By Nick Jancovic  ·  April 1, 2026

Chicago Commercial Plumbing Code: What GCs Need to Know

Chicago plumbing code differs significantly from Illinois state code and suburban codes. If you are doing comm...

Restaurant Plumbing Requirements in Chicago: A Complete Guide

Opening a restaurant in Chicago means satisfying the Health Department, the Department of Buildings, and the C...

Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters: What Chicago Homeowners Need to Know

Planning a water heater replacement in Chicago or Chicagoland? Here is an honest breakdown of what to expect....

How to Find a Licensed Plumber in Chicago: What to Check Before You Hire

Not every contractor calling themselves a plumber in Chicago is actually licensed. Here is how to verify crede...

What GCs Need From a Plumbing Sub in Chicago

Commercial plumbing costs vary enormously based on project type, scope, and location. Here is what GCs and dev...