Hollowed wooden logs wrapped in steel banding were used for plumbing pipes, particularly water mains. Logs were used for water distribution in England close to 500 years ago. US cities began using hollowed logs in the late 1700s through the 1800s. Today, most plumbing supply pipe is made out of steel, copper, and plastic; most waste (also known as “soil”) out of steel, copper, plastic, and cast iron. Lead was the favoured material for water pipes for many centuries because its malleability made it practical to work into the desired shape. Such use was so common that the word “plumbing” derives from plumbum, the Latin word for lead.
Percolator bongs and honeycomb bongs might look intimidating and complicated, so let’s go through a few things to look for when you’re shopping. Joint size is another common term that will appear when searching to buy a bong online. Galvanized steel or iron pipes mean that they have been coated with a protective layer of zinc to help prevent corrosion from water. You can test your water for lead with an at-home test purchased at a home improvement store. Or contact your local plumber to conduct a water test for you. Copper has an average lifespan of about 50 years before the walls start to thin out and need replacing.
When you smoke a bong, you hit it at the top of the bong tube, drawing the smoke through the bowl and downstem into the water. Made from plastic, acrylic bongs are for those looking for a budget water pipe. Smoking from one of these might not taste as good as glass, but acrylic bongs are durable, cheap, and easy to clean. They are a great choice for those wanting to learn how to smoke a bong before they invest in an impressive piece. The honeycomb refers to a sturdy glass disc in the tube of the bong. The disc has a pattern of holes in it that resemble a honeycomb pattern.
Because of this, there is a tiny degree of variation between every bong, but that’s what makes them so unique. In addition, check out our heady glass – we source one of a kind artisan glass pieces from glassblowers across the United States. More for style than added function, any user is bound to find an elaborate water pipe to demonstrate their water pipes unique personality. Acrylic bongs are a cheaper alternative to glass bongs but still more expensive than silicone. If silicone bongs are just not sturdy enough for you but you don’t want to deal with glass, than acrylic bongs are definitely the solution for you. While they are not shatter proof they are a bit more resilient to accidental drops.
Perhaps the most well-known and high-quality glass in the industry, GRAV pipes hit top-seller status long ago, and they haven’t lost their thrill! One-of-a-kind science meets laboratory style with the GRAV Helix, GRAV Upline, and GRAV STAX enhancements. Silicone bongs now feature glass downstems and flower bowls and are usually made with a suction cup base to ensure it sticks through any smoking situation. Mini water pipes are also great for portability and can be discreetly stashed if you have roomies that aren’t familiar, or fond of, your hobbies.
Depending on the style of bong, the neck can be straight or bent. Many bowl pieces have a small handle on them, making it easier to pull the bowl piece out of the joint and stop your hit from building any further. The Thai word “baung” refers to a tube or pipe made of bamboo, and the term was adopted by American soldiers who were exposed to the simple glass pipes during the Vietnam war. Since then, the word “bong” is the most popular way to refer to water filtered pipes. Even our least expensive bongs are made with high-quality material, so they’re built to last. But if you want to splash out on a luxury bong, we have plenty of high-end glass pieces to choose from too.
Due, in part, to local officials not using corrosion control measures, lead and other pollutants leached from the pipes into residents’ drinking water. PVC/CPVC – rigid plastic pipes similar to PVC drain pipes but with thicker walls to deal with municipal water pressure, introduced around 1970. PVC stands for polyvinyl water pipes chloride, and it has become a common replacement for metal piping. Connections are made with primers and solvent cements as required by code. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have pipes and plumbing containing lead. Lead may exist in your service line, internal plumbing, lead solder, faucets or fixtures.