How a Toilet Works

Toilet Schematic Diagram The toilet could be referred to as the most unappreciated fixture in the home due to the nature of its function in the removal of human excrements. However unappealing this fixture is, it should garner the appreciation of all for its necessary function in creating a more sanitary environment, and for its simple mechanical workings. There are merely three parts to the system: the toilet tank, the bowl and the inner plumbing.

The Toilet Tank

The purpose of the toilet tank is to provide a continuous supply of water needed for the toilet to flush. Without the tank, the fixture would be rendered virtually useless regarding the ability to simply flush it. The tank is mounted by two screws on the back of the bowl. Various sizes of tanks can be found to accommodate not only design ideas but water capacity as well. Most standard tanks hold anywhere from 1.2 to 2.0 US gallons of water. On the inside bottom of the toilet tank is a drain hole which is approximately two or three inches in diameter. This hole allows the water to flow rapidly from the tank into the bowl of the toilet once the flush valve has been activated.

The Toilet's Plumbing

Contained in the toilet tank is a simple plumbing structure that allows the water to refill after each flushing. The float ball is located on the main tubing. When the flush valve has been opened and water begins to flow into the bowl, the float ball drops as the water empties from the tank, thus activating the refill valve. Once the flush valve has reunited itself with the drain hole, the tank and bowl will fill with water again. The float ball can be set at different intervals on the main tubing to allow more water to fill the toilet tank or less. Once the tank has refilled to the desired level, the refill valve shuts off and the toilet is now once again ready.

The Toilet Bowl

The crucial mechanism that is molded in the bowl is called the bowl siphon. With out this feature, the toilet would not function as it does. The siphon is in the shape of an upside down U that starts at the bottom of the bowl. With the rapid influx of water released from the tank into the bowl, the siphon tube is filled fast enough for the action of flushing to occur in the form of suction thereby creating the flushing sound.

The toilet is a simple design that needs all of the above components working together to function properly. The appreciation for the toilet is only recognized when it stops working and you have no where to go.