They say you should never meet your heroes. Unless of course, your hero is a Victorian plumber who brought dignity to doing your business!
Welcome Back to the Happy Drains Hall of Fame, where we honour the titans of toilets, the warriors of waste, and the pipework pioneers. Next up: Thomas Crapper, the man whose name literally went down in history. (pun intended)
Who Was Thomas Crapper?
Born in Yorkshire in 1836, Thomas Crapper was a master plumber, businessman, and all-round toilet trailblazer. He didn’t invent the flushing toilet (that was Sir John Harington, back in 1596), but he did more than anyone else to bring it into the mainstream.
In the 19th century, when indoor plumbing was still a bit taboo, Crapper championed the cause of sanitary living and he did it in style.
What Did He Actually Do?
Here’s why Thomas Crapper deserves his golden plunger:
- Perfected the Flush:
Crapper didn’t invent it, but he improved the siphonic flushing mechanism, which made flushing more powerful and more reliable. Less mess. Less smell. Fewer blockages. - Popularised the Ballcock:
He patented a design for a more efficient ballcock – the floating valve in your cistern that regulates water flow. Still used today! - Luxury Bathroom Showrooms:
He opened one of the first public-facing toilet showrooms in London. Victorians could finally browse bathroom fittings without shame. Think of it as the Victorian equivalent of IKEA, but with more brass and less meatballs. - Royal Warrant Holder:
His company supplied bathrooms to Buckingham Palace, Sandringham House, and Westminster Abbey. Royal flush, anyone?
Why Is His Name Slang for the Loo?
Crapper’s products had his name proudly embossed on them. During World War I, American soldiers stationed in the UK saw the word “Crapper” on toilet cisterns and the rest is etymological history.
Crapper Would Approve: How to Unblock a Toilet (Like a Pro)
Blocked toilets happen to the best of us. Before you panic or flee the country, try these practical steps:
- Stop Flushing!
More flushes won’t help — they’ll just make things worse. Let the water settle. - Grab a Plunger
Choose a flange plunger (the type designed for toilets). Make sure there’s enough water in the bowl to cover the rubber cup, then press down firmly and pull up sharply. Repeat several times. - Use Hot Water + Washing-Up Liquid
Pour a good squirt of washing-up liquid into the bowl, then follow with a bucket of hot (not boiling) water from waist height. Wait 15 minutes, then try flushing. - Try a Toilet Auger (Plumbing Snake)
This flexible tool can break up deeper blockages. Feed it into the toilet slowly, turn the handle, and push gently until the blockage shifts. - Still Stuck?
Call the legends — that’s us. Happy Drains are just a flush away.
Final Word from the Flushmaster General
Thomas Crapper helped turn the loo from a filthy secret into a proud piece of home hardware. He believed in hygiene, craftsmanship and clever design values, that we still stand by at Happy Drains.
So next time you’re sitting on the throne, spare a thought for the man who gave the nation a royal flush.
Need help with a blocked toilet?
Call Happy Drains today on 0800 849 8099
We deal with the business end of your business.
Best David & Will