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All About Toilet Parts
86Toilet parts and their functions
One of man’s most wonderful inventions just has to be the modern toilet! Let’s face it – this is something all of us use several times a day, but we really never give it a thought until it fails to function properly. When that happens, the plumber becomes not only our new best friend, but our knight in shining armor! Are you even familiar with the toilet parts in your porcelain throne?
Unfortunately, it seems like the toilet malfunctions at the worst times possible, like on Christmas Eve when you have a house full of guests. If you familiarize yourself with the toilet parts and how they function, you can make simple repairs yourself. You’ll no longer be at the mercy of a professional plumber, and you’ll save money by avoiding those expensive house calls.
Toilet parts
Bowl – This is the round part of the toilet that holds water and waste.
Tank – This is the back part of the toilet that holds the water used for flushing. It also houses the working toilet parts.
Stop valve – This controls the water supply to the toilet. It’s usually located on the wall behind the toilet. You can turn this off manually.
Supply tube – Connected to the stop valve, this carries fresh water from the main water supply to the refill tube.
Toilet parts within the tank
Float ball – Located in the tank, the float ball floats on top of the water in the tank. It signals the water supply, letting it know when the tank is full.
Float cup - On many newer toilets, the float ball has been replaced by a float cup which is located on the valve body. It rises and falls with the water level. When it reaches a pre-set height, it closes the ballcock valve on the refill tube.
Refill tube – When the float ball falls to a certain level, the refill tube fills the tank and thereby the bowl with fresh water. When the float ball rises to the top of the tank, the water supply is shut off.
Ballcock – A valve at the top of the refill tube.
Trip lever – When you press the handle to flush the toilet, this lever lifts the flapper.
Chain – The chain connects the trip lever to the flapper.
Flapper – When the flapper is lifted by the trip lever, suction is created, causing the flushing action within the toilet bowl.
Overflow tube – This stops the toilet water running over. If the tank gets too full, the extra water drains into this tube.
Toilet parts under the bowl
Wax ring – This is under your toilet. It’s what your toilet sits on. When the toilet is set on the wax ring, the wax expands, making a tight seal.
Trap – The trap is located under the toilet bowl. It separates the main sewage line from the toilet.
Closet bend – This is the part of the sewage line that allows waste materials from the bowl to exit the home.
Got it? Familiarize yourself with these toilet parts and study the diagram below the links. Bookmark the article if you need to. Then, the next time you have a toilet malfunction, maybe you can do the repairs yourself!
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I saw this title and laughed! Of course we need a toilet in the bathroom you've been designing for us!
Habee,
You are amazing you cook, you travel and you know all about toilets!
Habee I work for a large distributor of plumbing parts and I just wanted to say good job on this. We all know next to our computers a toilet is the most important part of the household !
Habee I work for a large distributor of plumbing parts and I just wanted to say good job on this. We all know next to our computers a toilet is the most important part of the household !
Thanks, Veronica!
True, Sheila! So I guess I get to pick out our toilet!
Bpop, I can't really take credit - hubby is a general contractor!
Thanks, Tony, for the kind words!
Whatever, next you come up with, habee? Congratulation, a super hub.
I like to always keep readers guessing, HH! lol
Well, I promised myself never to touch the plumbing again after replacing a faucet, but just in case I find myself staring at the toilet........... I will remember where to find this
Thanks!
Kaie
Habee, You explained the toilet so even I could understand. Good hub.
Yes you are definitely a plumber on the quiet.Good info
Yeah, Kaie, I always turn this over to Hubby!
Thanks for reading, Pamela!
Funny, Ethel! I always turn that over to JOhnny!
good and nice one
Habee, I'm waiting to see something that you're not good at. Very good hub as usual.
My blind guy could have used this a few months ago! I actually had to go on line and find a website that he could SEE with all the parts and email it to him. He lives about 5 hours from us - and then I sent over our friend just to be sure he got it back together without killing himself! I'll have to keep this for him for future reference - from penises to toilets....I guess we all know where our heads are today! Great info.
Glad you stopped for a read, Alexandria!
FF, I'm not good with plumbing, but hubby is!
Audrey, I often find my mind in the proverbial gutter!
you always find the great stuff become the idea in writing. I really appreciate. two thumbs up for you! good work habee.
Wow, I never had it broken down like this before. I felt a little flush reading this. :)
Thanks, Prsetio, I always appreciate your comments!
Felt flush - good one, Sandy!
Hi habee, I'm really getting a lot of new information from your product descriptions. Keep'em coming.
Thanks, Quildon! I'm squeezing Hubby's brain for more!
Need a flush valve for a wall mounted residential toilet but can't find one, do you have any suggestions where I could get one.
Hi, Chuck. Hubby says a few Hope Depots have them. They're made by Sloan. You'll probably have to go to a plumbing contractor supply or search online.
Veronica Allen Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
That's so true habee, we use the toilet on several occassions, yet never think about its function until it breaks down. Thanks for breaking the parts down for us - you have a great way of keeping us "in-the-know."