HOW DOES A TOILET WORK?

How does a toilet work?

Aside from the kitchen, one of the most renovated rooms in a house is the bathroom. Whether it is to renovate or reconfigure, so there is more room or to replace the bathtub or toilet. Most homeowners want a more comfortable space to get dressed in or to simply relax in. If you’re replacing it, there are several options. But when you’re picking one out, you may want to know how does a toilet actually work?New toilets are available with three different methods of operation. These include gravity-feed, pressure-assisted, and vacuum-assisted toilets.

Gravity-feed toilets

The most common type of toilet in homes, businesses, and other places where there are restroom facilities. After you’ve done your business and press down on the handle to flush the toilet, gravity helps push the water down into the bowl which removes the waste.

Freshwater starts refilling the tank as the flush valve empties. And as water increases the float ball rises, cutting off the water once it gets to a certain level. The waste is washed down the drain into the sewer pipe and then moves onto the septic tank or sewage mains.

Water usage

Older gravity-feed toilets used several litres of water depending on the model.  Flushing the toilet accounts for slightly less than 25% of the total water usage in most New Zealand households.  Over time because of the greater understanding of water conservation many manufacturers have made design improvements to provide a better flush to eliminate waste.

Over time the water tank outlet holes, more formally called the flapper valve, were made wider to increase the water’s flow into the toilet to help get rid of waste. The hole, the tramway, was also widened to prevent clogs. These designs made low-flush toilets work better.

Pressure-assisted toilets

The less common type of toilet which exists in businesses like hospitals due to their cost. However they can  be a good choice if you have a larger family.

The flush of this toilet has a loud whoosh because the water stored in a sealed tank. The pressurised air helps force the water into the toilet which sweeps the waste down through the drain line.

It is important to check the water pressure in your home if you use this type. To ensure it operates correctly, your home should have a water pressure of not less than 25 pounds per square inch (PSI). The water pressure is the measurement of the main water supply into your home.

If your water pressure is low and your neighbours aren’t, contact one of our PERL Plumbers to check your waterlines. It’s possible that there might be water leaking from your pipes.

Vacuum-assisted toilets

There is a separate vacuum tank that holds water inside of the porcelain outer tank. The vacuum tank connects the tramway. So that when the toilet is flushed a suction is created in the vacuum tank.

After the flush, the inner tank refills with water. The air at the top of the inner tank is forced down via a tube that runs into the tramway. It creates air bubble between the water in the bowl and the tramway that opens the drain line. The bubble of air applies a downward force to the water in the tramway, which raises the water level in the toilet. The effects give the toilet extra flushing power.

The vacuum-assisted toilet models that are available consume very little water compared to most other flush toilets on the market.

Dual-flush toilets

Dual-flush toilets are ideal if you’re fed up with flushing more than once.  This type of toilet doesn’t operate any differently, but it helps low-flush toilets work better by offering an option to flush the toilet for liquid or solid waste.

Most dual-flush toilets are pressure-assisted toilets that consume very small amounts of water. There is a button or a lever that allows users to use a partial flush to get rid of liquid waste. The partial flush uses relatively small amounts of water to remove waste and refill the bowl.

However, if you don’t want to buy a new toilet, older toilets can be retrofitted with a dual flush kit.  A PERL Plumber can install one for you to save the amount of water that you’re flushing down the drain.

Toilet designs

Modern toilets are available in four different types:

• Two-piece toilets.
• One-piece toilets.
• Wall mounted toilets.
• Smart toilets.

Two-piece toilets
Two-piece toilets are the standard toilet found in most homes. It comes with a water tank that fits into the toilet’s bowl. They are usually the most inexpensive option as they’ve been around longer, and they are the most popular type purchased when installing a new toilet.

One-piece toilets
A one-piece toilet is a tank and bowl design connected as one-piece. They are generally easier to install and clean than two-piece toilets. They take up less room than a standard two-piece, so they are a good option for smaller bathrooms.

Wall mounted toilets
It is also possible you can mount a toilet to the wall. Many businesses with public restrooms have wall mounted toilets. Their design takes up less space and, as long as there is an available water source, they can be hung on any wall in the bathroom. However, from a cost point of view they are among the more expensive for toilet options.

Smart toilets
Smart toilets provide a variety of functions that standard toilets do not feature. There are models with:

• Bidets
• Heated seats
• Self-cleaning wands
• Hands-free flushing
• Dual-flush options

Having answered the question “How does a toilet work?”, you are now more informed of the choices available when renovating or replacing a new bathroom in a home or business.  PERL Plumbers have access to a vast array of toilets from a number of reputable New Zealand plumbing bathroom and kitchen suppliers and can help you in making the right decision when renovating or replacing your current toilet.  Don’t hesitate to call them to discuss your kitchen, bathroom or laundry needs.