Popular Types of Toilet Flushing Systems
Are you aware of exactly how your toilet flushes? Probably not. Most of us take care of business and turn a handle or press a button to wash it away. It is one of those procedures that we take for granted and never give much thought to, but the truth is, there are different options and styles to consider.
We have all the information for you if you are looking for alternatives like a quieter flush or a more environmentally friendly system.
Here are the types of toilet flushing systems available.
Gravity Flushing
This is the traditional type of system and one of the oldest where the weight of the water creates pressure to flush. The water tank is mounted above the bowl, sometimes high on the wall in an elevated cistern, and when flushed, the water is forced into the bowl. This allows for cleaning and washing waste using pressure in the bowl to the drain, which is sucked down to the sewer pipes.
This type of flushing system are very efficient and one of the quietest flushing systems because of a minimal amount of moving parts. Consult a plumber to help with the installation.
Dual Flushing
With a dual flush system, you get two options for water usage. One button gives you a little amount and is ideal for liquids. The other button will increase the amount of water for when you need to wash away a larger volume like solids.
Flush buttons are typically on top of the tank, but some use a trip lever and inside, there is a valve assembly to allow different volumes of water to flow when each button is pressed. This is a great advance in toilet design as it saves lots of water.
Siphon Flushing
A siphon flushing system uses a single flush as the only option for liquids or solids. This is usually paired with a gravity flush system, but newer ones can be low flush types.
Flushing the toilet handle lifts a flapper connected by a chain and allows water to flow into the bowl. You can also get this system with a push button on the top of the tank.
Pressure Assisted Flushing
A pressure-assisted flush system combines water pressure with air. As you press the button or lever, the air is released, and then the water fills the bowl with a greater force to wash away the contents.
When the tank fills up, a plastic tank, or pressure vessel, with an air-filled balloon gets pressurized and then released to push the water with a much higher flow rate. Because of their power, these systems rarely get clogged, but they are louder than traditional systems.
Double Cyclone and Tornado Flushing
This is a manufacturing change from Toto toilets and differs in how the water enters the toilet bowl. Instead of rim holes around the bowl to let water in with the cyclone, two large nozzles rush water sideways to create a cyclone flush. It also uses less water but is still efficient because of its centrifugal rinsing action.
Three jets are positioned around the bowl for the Tornado model to stream water and powerfully wash away everything. It is quieter than the cyclone system.
Tankless System
You have probably seen these toilets before. The bowl may look the same, but there is no tank to hold water. For this system to work, a direct water line is connected to the toilet, which is pressurized enough to wash water down your drain line.
You see these in commercial toilets with lots of pressure, but an electric pump is used in residential applications. There is also a valve to regulate the amount of water coming in to prevent any overflow in the toilet.
Ballcock Flush System
On the inside, different mechanisms work with the various flushing systems. The ballcock is the most common type that consists of a valve and a rod connected to a floating ball.
When the toilet is flushed, a plunger gets lifted, and the water leaves the tank, causing the ball to drop and triggering incoming water to refill the tank. The refill level can be adjusted to increase the water volume in the tank.
Flapper Flush Valve
With a flapper, instead of a ball floating on the top of the water line, the flapper covers the flush valve, fills with air and rises as the tank is flushed to let water flow to the bowl. The flapper will return to its initial position after the tank refills when the water level goes down.
This is all you need to know about the toilet flushing system, that is for now. Innovations come along to improve our lives, and toilets are included. Enjoy the system you have and consider upgrading to a dual flush system so you can conserve water and help the environment.