How does my Toilet work?

In a study discussed by Gizmodo AU it stated that the average adult spends about 30 minutes a week on the toilet, while scrolling through their smartphone.

Although the smartphone is more a recent toilet accessory, there are many people who do not know how this very essential part of your lives , the toilet, actually functions.

They may not look very complex, but toilets and bathrooms save us from one of the worst types of discomfort – needing to pee!

On the outside, a toilet consists of a waste pipe, a porcelain throne and a cistern or water tank on which the lever is attached that makes a toilet flush. The flush empties the water in the toilet through the force of gravity, washing the bowl clean, and refilling it with water. Simple.

However, there is a bit more behind the WC. After you flush, the cistern refills automatically through a faucet. The whole system is perfectly tuned so that the cistern fills to the correct amount and does not overflow. In the loo itself, where the water lies, it is also a bit more complex than what meets the eye. If you didn’t know, there is always a little bit of water at the bottom of the loo. You may not realize it after the flush but there is always some water in the bowl. This is because some water is always trapped in a curved pipe, called the S-bend, at the base of the toilet. The pipe coming out of the toilet is also part of the S-bend, which means it curves upwards before curving back down. Therefore, the system has to have enough pressure to force the water from the bowl up and out of the S-bend when a toilet is flushed.

How does Flushing Work?

The handle or button is compressed, which operates a lever inside the cistern. The lever opens a valve (the flapper) and allows the water in the cistern to be emptied into the toilet through a sucking effect (siphon). Water flows into the toilet bowl below through holes in the bowl’s rim so it washes the bowl as it flushes its contents away. The amount of water and the speed at which it flows through the system allows the water to get through the S-bend and go down the main drain.

As the cistern empties, a plastic float falls downwards, which tilts a lever. The lever opens a ball value at the base of the cistern and water flows into the cistern again. The water entering the cistern pushes the plastic float back to the top of the cistern, which closes the lever and switches off the water supply. This leaves your toilet ready to be flushed again.

Toilet Issues?

To ensure you are never without a working toilet, there are many signs you can look out for when plumbing problems arise. The most common problem in a toilet is a blockage, which can be identified by gurgling sounds, a low toilet water level, sewer smells or a slow draining toilet.

Blockages occur when too much toilet paper or objects that should not be flushed down a toilet, such as feminine products or even toys, are stuffed into a toilet. This can cause a blockage in the S-bend.

Other reasons include tree roots that have grown into the pipes. This can especially be the case in an older house.

If you notice any of the warning signs, you should contact Inspector Jet for reliable and efficient service.