Well, we spend a lot of time on it, but when’s the last time you thought, “How does my toilet actually work?”
We’re breaking down how this critical part of our daily lives does its job.
But first, where did the toilet come from?
History of the Toilet
The path to modern day plumbing systems spans centuries. The first known toilets date back to 3,500 B.C. in Mesopotamia, where deep pits were lined with ceramic tubes for sitting. There was no flushing system – in fact, that would take thousands of years before that would come to be.
The Renaissance brought a renewed interest in hygiene and public health, leading to the invention of the flushing toilet by Sir John Harington in 1596.
He gifted it to his godmother, Queen Elizabeth I. Harington’s toilet had a 2-foot-deep oval bowl, fed by water from an upstairs cistern. It did require 7.5 gallons of water to flush it though, which could be an issue when water was scarce!
This invention wouldn’t be a household one until the 19th century, when flushing toilets became a mainstay in Europe.
How Does a Toilet Work?
While different types of toilets may vary in their mechanisms, most operate through a combination of gravity and siphoning.
Water fills the toilet bowl roughly halfway with water, with the tank retaining additional water. When the toilet is flushed, the flapper inside the tank is raised, allowing water stored in the tank to flow into the bowl. The water pressure created then forces whatever is in the toilet bowl through the drain, completing the flushing process.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the two primary components in this process: the tank and the bowl.
Toilet Tank
The toilet tank serves as the holding place for water that is needed for flushing. It’s connected to your home’s water supply line, and has several key components:
Fill Valve
Within the tank is a fill valve, which controls the water level inside of the tank. As the water level drops after flushing, the fill valve opens to allow fresh water to enter the tank.
Float Mechanism
The float mechanism ensures that the tank maintains a consistent water level. It is made up of a floating cup attached to an arm. As the toilet tank fills with water, the cup rises. Once it reaches a predetermined level, the fill valve will shut off and stop the water flow.
Flush Mechanism
When the toilet handle is flushed, it raises a chain or flap inside the tank which also opens the flush valve.
Flush Valve
The flush valve sits at the bottom of the tank, releasing water from the tank into the toilet bowl when the toilet is flushed. The accompanying whoosh of water is powerful enough to clear waste from the bowl, carrying it through the drainpipe. At this point, the fill valve will reopen to allow fresh water to enter the tank to its regular level.
Toilet Bowl
The toilet bowl serves as the receptacle for waste until the toilet is flushed. It has three main components:
Water Entry and Rim Holes
When the toilet is flushed, water from the tank enters the bowl through several holes located under the rim. This rush of water creates siphoning within the bowl, pushing waste down toward the S-shaped trapway at the base of the toilet.
Water Seal
The design of the trapway allows for a small amount of water to remain in the bowl after flushing. This water forms a seal that prevents sewer gasses from entering the bathroom.
Wax Ring Seal
This waterproof seal sits between the base of the toilet and the floor drain, preventing leaks.
Leesburg Toilet Repair Plumbers
There are clearly lots of moving parts within the toilet. Regular maintenance is the key to ensuring everything runs smoothly. If you have any concerns – constant running, a weak flush, leaking, or unusual sounds – call or schedule an appointment today with your friendly neighborhood plumbers at Kiddco Plumbing!
