The toilet is known by many names – the commode, the john, the head, the loo, the can… the list goes on. But how exactly does this porcelain throne work? In this blog, we’ll dive into the history of the toilet and its inner workings, along with some DIY recommendations.
A toilet is a simple yet efficient system that uses gravity and water pressure to remove waste. It consists of several key components, including the tank, bowl, flush handle, flapper, fill valve, and siphon. When you flush, a series of steps occur to ensure waste is carried away and clean water refills the bowl.
Pressing the Flush Handle: When you push the handle, it lifts a chain connected to the flapper inside the tank.
Flapper Opens: The flapper, a rubber valve at the bottom of the tank, lifts, allowing water to rush from the tank into the bowl.
Water Creates a Siphon Effect: The water flows rapidly into the bowl, creating a siphon effect that pulls waste and water through the trapway and into the sewer line.
Flapper Closes: Once the tank empties, the flapper settles back into place, sealing the tank and stopping the flow of water.
Refill Valve Activates: The fill valve refills the tank with fresh water from the supply line.
Float Rises and Shuts Off Water Flow: A floating mechanism (float ball or cup) rises with the water level. Once it reaches the appropriate height, it signals the fill valve to stop adding water.
Bowl Refill: A small amount of water flows into the bowl through the refill tube to maintain a proper water level and prevent sewer gases from escaping.
Once these steps are complete, the toilet is ready for the next flush. Understanding how a toilet works can help diagnose common issues like running water, weak flushes, or clogs.
Now, let’s get familiar with the parts of a toilet. Knowing what’s on the inside of a toilet will help you should you decide to tackle some DIY toilet repairs in the wake of toilet plumbing problems.
Fixing a toilet may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually a fairly simple DIY project. That’s because, unlike more modern appliances in our home, the toilet is not a very complex piece of equipment!
Before you begin the process, make sure you have the right equipment. Replacing toilet parts typically requires:
When a toilet has trouble, rarely do you have to replace the entire toilet (though if you do, check out our toilet installation guide). Often, you simply need to replace toilet tank parts. You can purchase the toilet tank parts separately, or you can find them packaged together in repair kits. Follow these steps if you need to repair your toilet:
Turn Off the Water Supply: Locate the shutoff valve near the toilet’s base and turn it clockwise to stop the water flow.
Drain the Tank: Flush the toilet to empty most of the water. Use a sponge or towel to soak up any remaining water in the tank.
Replace the Flapper (If Leaking or Not Sealing)
Replace the Fill Valve (If the Toilet Won’t Refill or Constantly Runs)
Replace the Flush Handle (If Sticking or Broken)
Turn the Water Supply Back On: Slowly turn the shutoff valve counterclockwise and let the tank refill.
Test the Flush: Flush the toilet a few times to ensure everything functions properly and there are no leaks.
If your toilet is running constantly, or if it’s refusing to flush (and not because of a clogged drain), we recommend this video by plumber Roger Wakefield. He’ll walk you through how to replace the insides of a toilet. View the video.
Not up to the DIY toilet challenge? Or, do you have another issue with your toilet? It’s not always easy to determine whether you need to replace or simply repair your toilet. Contact Express Sewer & Drain in Sacramento for all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.