Toilets 101: Learn About the Parts of Toilets and How They Work
You use your toilet every day but you may not have the first idea of what it does or how it does it. The fact of the matter is that toilets are actually very impressive in the way they handle water. Keep reading to learn more about toilets, their parts, and how they work. If you are having issues with your toilet or need your toilet replaced, contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration at 866-437-0205 for help.
The Parts in an Average Toilet
First, let’s consider the main parts in an average toilet. There are three elements that just about every toilet is going to have:
- The bowl siphon
- The flushing mechanism
- The refill mechanism
We will go over what each of these does below but note that if just one of them is not working then it is likely time to contact a plumber.
The Bowl Siphon
The bowl siphon is itself made up of numerous parts: The rim, the bowl, and the siphon. There are no moving parts in this portion of the toilet. The toilet rim is generally made from some type of plastic, while toilet bowls are most commonly made form porcelain.
The Flushing Mechanism
Located inside the tank of the toilet, the flushing mechanism includes a handle attached to the chain in the tank. When the handle is pushed down, the chain is pulled, which then lifts the flush valve that it is connected to. This then opens up a small drain hole in the bottom of the tank, which allows water to get into the toile bowl. When the water is rapidly introduced from the tank, a suction is created and bulls what’s in the tank down the pipes.
The Refill Mechanism
The valve that works to turn water to the toilet on and off is called the refill mechanism. It can sense where the float is inside the tank, and the float will show it if the water is low. If it is, then the mechanism adds water. When the float gets to an optimal point, the refill mechanism stops adding water.
An overflow tube is also part of the refill mechanism. It works to dump extra water into the bowl if there is a malfunction of the float. This prevents water leaking onto your bathroom floor.
What to Do if Your Toilet is Malfunctioning
As you can see, there are many parts of a toilet that work together. If just one of these parts is not working correctly, there can be a serious issue. If you suspect that this is the case, contact 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration at 866-437-0205 and let us help you. We are standing by to provide fast and effective toilet repairs.
