A Look at the Mechanics Involved in Flushing a Toilet
Many people take flushing a toilet for granted, but unique mechanisms make this happen. To fully understand the mechanics involved in flushing a toilet, it is worth first understanding the essential parts of a toilet.
Parts of a Toilet
The following are standard toilet parts that collaboratively enhance the mechanics behind flushing a toilet.
1. Bowl
The bowl is the most visible part of the toilet. This is where the water sits and where waste is deposited. The bowl is usually made of porcelain or another type of non-porous material.
2. Tank
The tank is the part of the toilet that holds the water used to flush the waste down the drain. The tank is usually made of ceramic or porcelain and is connected to the bowl with bolts.
3. Flapper
The flapper is a small piece of rubber or plastic that covers the hole at the bottom of the tank. When you flush the toilet, the flapper lifts and allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
4. Supply Line
The supply line is the pipe that brings fresh water into the toilet tank. This pipe is usually made of copper or plastic and is connected to the home’s main water lines.
5. Drainage Pipes
The drainage pipes are a series of pipes that carry the waste from the toilet bowl to the sewer or septic tank. These pipes are usually made of PVC or other materials that can withstand being filled with sewage.
Mechanics Involved in Flushing a Toilet
When you flush a toilet, there are a few things that need to happen in order for the water and waste to be properly disposed of:
- The water in the bowl needs to be emptied.
- The waste needs to be flushed down the drain.
- The freshwater needs to be brought in to refill the bowl.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these steps.
The water in the bowl is emptied through a hole at the bottom of the bowl. This hole is connected to a pipe that leads to the sewer or septic tank. When you flush the toilet, the handle lifts a flap that covers this hole and allows the water to rush out.
The waste is flushed down the drain through a series of pipes. These pipes are usually made of PVC or other materials that can withstand being filled with sewage. The first pipe that the waste enters is the largest in diameter. This pipe leads to a smaller pipe and finally to the sewer or septic tank.
The freshwater is brought into the bowl through a small hole at the back of the toilet. This hole is connected to a supply line that brings fresh water from the home’s water lines. A valve opens when you flush the toilet and allows water to flow into the bowl and refill it. There you have it. These are the basics of how a toilet flush wastes and key parts involved in the process.