You'll be ecstatic to know we are about to unlock yet another of life's mysterys, truly considered by some to be one of the secrets of the universe. We'll dive right into a field few of us women know much about. Perhaps it's because we choose not to. Perhaps we enjoy being fleeced by our local plumbers. The subject in question? The toilet, of course. Exciting stuff, right?
It makes no difference what shape or color they come in, there are four basic varieties in most American homes. In this article we will be discussing the basics only, as there is more information to give then we have room for in this format. The first variety is the old tried and true model put out by American Standard, and several other companies.
The model I'm referring to is not a water saver but it does what it's supposed to do just about every time the lever is pulled. I will refer to this model as a 'standard' toilet. Next we have the water savers which use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Of course, there are times when it takes 2 or 3 flushes to accomplish it's mission.
I suppose since some of the toilets in this category only require 1.6 gallons per flush, it can be considered a water saver. There are several variations to this style. Some use smaller tanks, while others go all out with pressure assisted units. Some of these toilets have warning labels for the user to step back before flushing lest they become entangled in the mechanism.
The third style is a wall hung unit. Some look exactly like floor mount models and others are molded one piece units which actually have different parts. The fourth style is entirely different from the other three. It has no tank but instead uses a Sloan Flush System. I call them gas station toilets because they are usually for commercial applications. On the back of the bowl is a chrome tube sticking up with a handle on the left side. We'll not get ourselves involved in that variety.
Just about now somebody will be asking, "What about the such and such style? You didn't mention that one." Well, to answer that, I can only say I'm not covering outhouses either, so there you go.
Remember ladies, we are going to be plumbers. Before we get started plumbing, everybody should go through the wardrobe for a pair of pants that doesn't quite cover ALL what they were designed to do. Underwear is optional. Also, a short tee shirt will be appropriate. Bending over periodically, your back facing the bathroom door, will be required also. I didn't make up the rules, I just follow them.
I will be covering the 'standard' model. Some of the units in group 2 and 3 are simply variations of this one. Once you know the basics, you'll at least be able to ask intelligent questions of the young man in the plumbing department at your favorite home supply. This is no guarantee he'll know what you're talking about. Having pictures always helps.
The drain pipe comes up to the floor just below the toilet. Newer homes use ABS black plastic and older homes generally use cast iron pipe. A short distance away from the toilet is a smaller pipe which tee's off it (not to be confused with the short tee shirt you are wearing) and goes up through the wall to the roof. This second pipe is referred to as the vent pipe. Methane gas is able to escape up that pipe, along with allowing air into the system.
To demonstrate the air intake, fill a plastic 2 liter pop bottle with water and tip it over. Glurg, glurg, glurg, etc. You get the picture. Now, put a small hole in the bottom and watch how much easier it drains. Same thing as the vent pipe.
The pipe is held in place to the floor with a flange. A flange is simply a round ring with holes in it. the bottom side has a collar on it. In newer homes using ABS, the plastic drain pipe is glued to the collar. Case iron pipe is attached with lead. The flange is then screwed to the floor to secure it in place.
The flange is a two purpose part because the toilet also bolts to it from the top side. It has slots which accept special toilet floor bolts. If you look at the base of your bowl, you'll see one cap on each side. These are the bolts which secure it to the flange. The bolt itself is usually covered with a plastic dome thing.
The toilet itself is comprised of the bowl, the seat, and the tank. The bowl has no parts except what you see. The seat fastens onto the bowl 3/4 the way back on the top. The tank is actually simple. Water comes in and water goes out. The water enters the tank through the Toilet Fill Valve. A company by the name of Fluidmaster is one brand found on every plumbing supply shelf, at least in the Pacific Northwest.
Older model toilets may have a ballcock assembly which sounds technical but isn't really. A ballcock is no more than a fill valve and float assembly. You can identify it by a round sphere the size of a softball. When you remove the tank lid, you will see the sphere at the left hand side near the top of the tank, It is attached to the float assembly by means of a brass rod. These units are an older design and probably no longer in use. If you don't see it right off, you most likely have the newer Toilet Fill Valve.
The flapper holds the water in the tank and is raised (opened) by the lever, the chrome part you use to flush the toilet. The two parts are connected by a small chain. Flush the toilet with the tank open to get a better idea of how everything works. Now you have a working knowledge of your toilet. Look for my next article entitled, TOILETS, THE FIX IS IN. We will start discussing problems and how to correct them.
Be sure to visit my blog at:
[http://fixyorehouse.blogspot.com]
or
[http://wwwddinpaidra.blogspot.com]
Thank you for spending a few minutes with me.
It makes no difference what shape or color they come in, there are four basic varieties in most American homes. In this article we will be discussing the basics only, as there is more information to give then we have room for in this format. The first variety is the old tried and true model put out by American Standard, and several other companies.
The model I'm referring to is not a water saver but it does what it's supposed to do just about every time the lever is pulled. I will refer to this model as a 'standard' toilet. Next we have the water savers which use 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Of course, there are times when it takes 2 or 3 flushes to accomplish it's mission.
I suppose since some of the toilets in this category only require 1.6 gallons per flush, it can be considered a water saver. There are several variations to this style. Some use smaller tanks, while others go all out with pressure assisted units. Some of these toilets have warning labels for the user to step back before flushing lest they become entangled in the mechanism.
The third style is a wall hung unit. Some look exactly like floor mount models and others are molded one piece units which actually have different parts. The fourth style is entirely different from the other three. It has no tank but instead uses a Sloan Flush System. I call them gas station toilets because they are usually for commercial applications. On the back of the bowl is a chrome tube sticking up with a handle on the left side. We'll not get ourselves involved in that variety.
Just about now somebody will be asking, "What about the such and such style? You didn't mention that one." Well, to answer that, I can only say I'm not covering outhouses either, so there you go.
Remember ladies, we are going to be plumbers. Before we get started plumbing, everybody should go through the wardrobe for a pair of pants that doesn't quite cover ALL what they were designed to do. Underwear is optional. Also, a short tee shirt will be appropriate. Bending over periodically, your back facing the bathroom door, will be required also. I didn't make up the rules, I just follow them.
I will be covering the 'standard' model. Some of the units in group 2 and 3 are simply variations of this one. Once you know the basics, you'll at least be able to ask intelligent questions of the young man in the plumbing department at your favorite home supply. This is no guarantee he'll know what you're talking about. Having pictures always helps.
The drain pipe comes up to the floor just below the toilet. Newer homes use ABS black plastic and older homes generally use cast iron pipe. A short distance away from the toilet is a smaller pipe which tee's off it (not to be confused with the short tee shirt you are wearing) and goes up through the wall to the roof. This second pipe is referred to as the vent pipe. Methane gas is able to escape up that pipe, along with allowing air into the system.
To demonstrate the air intake, fill a plastic 2 liter pop bottle with water and tip it over. Glurg, glurg, glurg, etc. You get the picture. Now, put a small hole in the bottom and watch how much easier it drains. Same thing as the vent pipe.
The pipe is held in place to the floor with a flange. A flange is simply a round ring with holes in it. the bottom side has a collar on it. In newer homes using ABS, the plastic drain pipe is glued to the collar. Case iron pipe is attached with lead. The flange is then screwed to the floor to secure it in place.
The flange is a two purpose part because the toilet also bolts to it from the top side. It has slots which accept special toilet floor bolts. If you look at the base of your bowl, you'll see one cap on each side. These are the bolts which secure it to the flange. The bolt itself is usually covered with a plastic dome thing.
The toilet itself is comprised of the bowl, the seat, and the tank. The bowl has no parts except what you see. The seat fastens onto the bowl 3/4 the way back on the top. The tank is actually simple. Water comes in and water goes out. The water enters the tank through the Toilet Fill Valve. A company by the name of Fluidmaster is one brand found on every plumbing supply shelf, at least in the Pacific Northwest.
Older model toilets may have a ballcock assembly which sounds technical but isn't really. A ballcock is no more than a fill valve and float assembly. You can identify it by a round sphere the size of a softball. When you remove the tank lid, you will see the sphere at the left hand side near the top of the tank, It is attached to the float assembly by means of a brass rod. These units are an older design and probably no longer in use. If you don't see it right off, you most likely have the newer Toilet Fill Valve.
The flapper holds the water in the tank and is raised (opened) by the lever, the chrome part you use to flush the toilet. The two parts are connected by a small chain. Flush the toilet with the tank open to get a better idea of how everything works. Now you have a working knowledge of your toilet. Look for my next article entitled, TOILETS, THE FIX IS IN. We will start discussing problems and how to correct them.
Be sure to visit my blog at:
[http://fixyorehouse.blogspot.com]
or
[http://wwwddinpaidra.blogspot.com]
Thank you for spending a few minutes with me.