subject: Plumbing - Getting Inside The Toilet [print this page] If you are like the general public, you do not give plenty of thought to the internal workings of your toilet while you are going about your day to day life. Why would you? So long as an appliance is working correctly, you are likely quite content to stay ignorant as to how it is performing that crucial job.
The only time you get curious is when a problem comes about. That's when it's time to either learn how the toilet does its job, or to hire a professional. But you don't have to have a degree in plumbing to do a little simple toilet troubleshooting.
For being such an essential appliance, the can is a phenomenally straightforward machine. The ceramic bowl itself is the most costly part of the mechanism, and even that isn't deeply high-priced. The plumbing that makes up the tank is where the toilet's power comes from, and all of the parts can be discovered at an ironmongers for a lot less than it costs to hire a pro. It can pay to learn the way to toilet works so that you can do simple repairs yourself and economize when there's a problem.
The plumbing of a toilet basically breaks down into four simple sections. These sections combine to make the flushing process work. The first section is of course the flushing handle on the outside of the tank. This handle is connected to a chain inside the tank which is in turn connected to what is called the flapper. This flapper normally sits flush against the bottom of the tank. When the handle is depressed, the chain lifts the flapper and sends water from the tank into the bowl of the toilet.
When this happens, two things are occurring. The water from the tank pushes the waste from the bowl down the pipe, which in turn takes it to the sewage receptacle. At the same time, it fills the bowl up with clean water. After this is done, the flapper once again rests against the bottom of the tank, causing the water to stop draining into the bowl.
After the particular flushing has occurred, the last 2 sections of work begin. These sections are re-filling the tank and stopping the tank from filling up too much. These actions are dissimilar relying on the age of the plumbing in the john. In older toilets, this process is controlled by a float. When the float hits the bottom, it lets cleaner water come into the tank. When it rises to a certain position, that valve closes. In more recent model toilets, the valve itself is attuned to water pressure and works on its own.
Whenever there is a problem with your toilet's plumbing, keep this guide in mind and look to see which part of the process is not working. Chances are a quick trip to the hardware store and a simple replacement can save you a lot of money in repair costs.
