Ask someone to give you a tip on how to fix a toilet and they will most probably answer that you need to first understand how the toilet works. Indeed, a good understanding of toilet parts and the basic functions of how each toilet part operates is important to know before you set out to do any type of toilet repair.
Knowing about different types of toilet parts and how they work makes it easier to figure out what may be causing any problem you are having with your toilet. It also allows you to know which toilet repair parts you will need for any specific repair and helps you to install them with ease.
Listed below are a few different types of toilet parts and what the function of each is:
Toilet Bowl Parts
- Toilet Bowl – The toilet bowl is the main toilet part, holding the water and waste. The toilet seat sites on top of the bowl.
- Flange – Underneath the toilet bowl is the flange that acts to support the base of the toilet. It secures the toilet to the floor and it also connects the toilet bowl to the pipe that goes to the sewers.
- Bowl Gasket/Wax Ring – The wax ring is located at the flange. It prevents water from leaking at the base of the toilet bowl.
Toilet Seat Parts
- Toilet Seat – The apparatus that sits on top of the toilet bowl for people to sit on. It is usually hinged to the toilet bowl with two hinges or bolts and can be lifted up or down.
- Toilet Seat Cover –Attaches to the toilet seat and can be put down to cover the toilet bowl when not in use.
Toilet Tank Parts
- Flush Handle – The flush handle sits on the outside of the toilet tank and is connected inside to a lever (flush lever). When you push the flush handle down, it moves the flush lever which in turn moves the chain attached to the flapper. The flapper then lifts open allowing water to flow in and flush the toilet.
- Flush Valve – This serves as the opening for water to go into the toilet bowl. It connects the toilet bowl and the toilet tank. The flapper covers the flush valve so that water doesn’t rush to the bowl.
- Flush Lever – It connects the flush handle and the chain connected to the flapper.
- Flapper/Flush Ball – The flapper acts as a door to the toilet bowl. It regulates the flow of water when you flush. It lifts up to allow water to go to the flush valve and into the toilet bowl. The flapper is connected to a chain (or in certain kinds of toilets, a bar) which is then connected to the flush lever.
- Float Ball – As the name implies, this part of the toilet floats. The float ball is attached to the float arm. It floats directly in conjunction with the water level inside of the toilet tank, letting the other toilet parts know whether or not additional water is needed within the toilet tank.
- Float Arm – The float arm connects the float ball to the ballcock valve.
- Ballcock Valve – It controls the amount of water inside the toilet tank. The ballcock valve is connected to the float ball via the float arm. When the water level drops, the float ball follows and the ballcock lets water in to fill the tank. The water then rises, also raising the float ball. This turns the valve off, thus stopping the flow of water into the tank.
- Overflow Tube – The overflow tube maintains the level of water inside the tank. It prevents flooding by draining water through it.
- Tank-fill Tube – This is where water flows to refill the tank after a flush.
- Bowl-refill Tube – The bowl-refill tube refills the water in the bowl when you flush.
Other Toilet Parts
- Supply Tube – This serves as the connection between the main water source and the toilet.
- Stop Valve – The stop valve controls the flow of water to the whole toilet. It is located on the wall near the toilet and can be used to completely shut off the water supply to the toilet. This toilet part is very important to know about before you attempt any toilet repairs, or you will wind up with water all over your bathroom floor!
Now that you understand more about different types of toilet parts are and how each one works to properly operate a toilet, you can more easily fix toilet related problems and can figure out exactly which type of toilet repair part you will need the next time your toilet is not operating properly. This knowledge can save you a great deal of money over having to hire a professional plumber each time your toilet is not working correctly.
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