Toilets are an essential part of any bathroom. You use them daily, but do you know all the toilet parts? This article will take you through a typical toilet and explain all the different parts.
A toilet has many different parts that work together to ensure that it functions properly. All the parts play a crucial role in the overall operation of the toilet, and it is essential to be familiar with each one.
Here, we will dive, not literally, into the parts of a toilet. Dissecting each piece and learning how it works to appreciate this often- taken-for-granted device. Moreover, if you are familiar with the different parts, you'll be able to spot a problem quickly and maybe even fix it without professional help.
Different Parts of a Toilet
In this section, we'll thoroughly explore the parts. Any toilet can be divided into three sections: the bowl, the tank, and the plumbing. The one-piece toilets have the bowl and the tank connected, and the plumbing is standard for most types. So, let's take a closer look at each section and its parts.
Toilet Tank
The toilet tank is where the water is stored for flushing. It sits atop the bowl and is usually connected to it with two bolts.
Parts of the toilet tank:
- Toilet Handle: This is the handle you use to flush the toilet. It is located outside and is connected to a flapper or chain that pulls up the valve and allows water to flow into the bowl to flush the waste away.
- Toilet Lever: Also called a lift rod, it is connected to the handle, and it lifts the rubber flapper triggering the flush.
- Supply Line: The pipe that brings freshwater into the tank to replenish the water used when you flush. It also has a shut-off valve that allows you to turn off the water supply.
- Flexible Hose: This hose is what connects the flush valve to the supply line.
- Flapper Valve: This is a rubber seal that covers the hole at the bottom of the tank. It opens when you flush the toilet and allows water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
- Flush Valve Gasket: This is a rubber seal that sits under the flapper valve and allows the water to flow when flushed.
- Chain: This is connected to the flapper valve and pulls it up when you flush the toilet, allowing water to flow from the tank into the bowl.
- Float Ball: Also called the ballcock, it is a buoyant device that rises and falls with the water level in the tank. It is connected to the fill valve and controls water flow into the tank.
- Fill Valve: This is the place connected to the supply line, and the water is refilled after each flush.
- Float Rod: It's a horizontal rod that's connected to the Fill Valve and Float Ball.
- Float Rod Adjustment Screw: This is a screw that can be turned to raise or lower the water level in the tank.
- Overflow Tube: This tube extends from the fill valve to the top of the tank. It prevents the tank from overflowing by allowing water to escape through it if the fill valve gets stuck in the open position.
- Tank Cover: This is the toilet tank's lid, and it covers all the parts inside.
Toilet Bowl
The toilet bowl is where everything goes down the drain, quite literally. It is the toilet part that you sit on, and it is connected to the tank with two bolts. Primarily there are two types of bowl shapes: round and elongated.
Parts of the toilet bowl:
- Toilet Seat: It's the seat that you sit on, and it is attached to the bowl. The style and shape depend on the type of bowl you are opting for.
- Bowl Rim: This is the upper edge of the bowl which runs around the top. It is there to prevent overflowing and splashes.
- Closet Bolts: These are the bolts that connect the tank to the bowl. There are usually two of them, and they go through the tank hole and are screwed into the bowl.
- Closet Flange: This part connects the toilet to the sewer line. It is usually made of PVC or ABS plastic and has a rubber gasket that creates a watertight seal between the flange and the toilet.
- Seat Cover: It is the removable part of the seat that covers the bowl's opening.
- Base: The base is the bottom part of the toilet bowl.
- Wax Ring: The wax ring is a rubber gasket that creates a watertight seal between the toilet bowl and the closet flange.
Toilet Plumbing
Toilet plumbing is the system of pipes and drains that carry waste and water away. It consists of the following parts:
- P-trap: The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe that connects the drain to the sewer line. It holds water in the U-shape, creating a seal that prevents sewer gasses from entering the home.
- Drain Line: The drain line is the pipe that carries wastewater from the P-trap to the sewer line to avoid clogging.
- Vent Stack: The vent stack is a pipe that extends from the P-trap to the roof. It allows air to enter the drain system, preventing a vacuum from forming and allowing the water to flow freely.
Final Words
There you have it, a comprehensive guide to the parts of a toilet. We hope you found this information helpful. Most people give little thought to their toilets, but it can be a major inconvenience when something goes wrong. Well, now that you know all the different components, you can be sure to keep your toilet in tip-top shape!
