It is impossible to imagine a comfortable human life without a toilet, and its need is due, first of all, to the presence of a toilet in it. The heart of this device is the toilet flush system. The basis of this system is the drain tank. Usually it is in the same complex with the toilet or can be mounted on the wall. In the event of a breakdown of the drain device for the toilet bowl, an emergency of a local scale can occur, as a result of which your apartment, as well as the apartments of neighbors, can be flooded. You can, of course, call the plumbing, but, firstly, this is not a cheap pleasure, and secondly, a man can give pleasure to carry out repairs himself.
The principle of the drain mechanism
The main difference between a toilet and a pot or a wooden toilet is the presence of a drain system. Water through a flexible hose enters the toilet tank, in which there are special mechanisms - bulk and drain. Using the filling mechanism, water accumulates in the tank up to the upper level, after which the supply valve closes.
The flush device for the toilet bowl starts to be activated when the button on this device is pressed, or by lowering the chain, mainly in older models of toilets. This mechanism starts the flush - a large stream of water enters the toilet bowl, flushing almost everything into the sewer.
The mechanism of the drain tank with a button is the work of two systems: the set of water and its discharge.
Water enters the drain tank using fittings (it refers to all the inside of the drain tank), which can be located above or below the tank.
Water flows laterally if the fittings are on top. The float is located at the end of the lever. As soon as it reaches a predetermined certain level, the opposite end of the lever presses on the stem, blocking the water supply.
In the case of a lower feed, the float moves along the vertical stem. The locking membrane acts due to the movement of the float due to traction, which serves as a regulator of the water level in the tank. In this case, the set of water in the tank feels quieter compared to the previous method.
Major breakdowns and their repair
The most common failures are the following: oversupply of water in the flushing tank, slow water supply, breakdown of the float levers; for the drain mechanism, such is the water retention in the tank. The latter failure occurs due to the fact that water can be passed through the shutoff valve, or as a result of overflow.
Repair of the drain tank with a button is carried out depending on the cause of the breakdown. In case of clogging of the membrane and slow water supply, it is necessary to clean the water supply opening from debris. It is necessary to carefully dismantle the membrane mechanism, and then assemble so that no spare parts remain. This work is done with nippers or pliers.
If there is too much water in the tank, then it is necessary to adjust the water level in the drain tank, which depends on the method of water supply. At the upper feed, the level is adjusted by unscrewing the lever nut and lowering its side with the float. With a lower feed, the level is set by rotating the plastic screw rod. At the same time, it is necessary to observe the float so that it falls.
In the event of a breakdown of the float levers, it becomes necessary to replace the entire mechanism of this device. On some toilet models, the float inside is hollow and filled with air. In this case, if water gets inside the pear, this will lead to the fact that you have to change the entire locking device. For other toilet models, the float is an inverted glass whose main problem is mud overgrowing, which simply needs to be removed.
If water is not retained in the drain tank as a result of passing through the shut-off valve, then you need to check the membrane and it is best to replace it, since it is a bottleneck in the float system. If everything is in order with the membrane, then you need to raise the drain valve in the toilet with tanks and remove debris and sediment. The rubber membrane is replaced by dismantling the upper part of the drain tank. In case of water overflow, it is necessary to adjust its level. To do this, it is lifted with the adjusting screw or rail no higher than the side housing openings with the float installed so that the water is below the overflow level. If there are no such holes, then you need to focus on the body of the drain mechanism - water should slightly cover it.
Toilet drain system parts
In toilets with tanks there is a pressure valve.
It is designed to replenish the water level in the tank after the drain mechanism is triggered. The bulk valve includes a float. The stop valve closes the hole only at the end of the water intake.
The next spare part for the toilet is the overflow and flush systems.
The toilet drain systems differ depending on whether the toilet is used - with a button or with a flush as a result of actuating the lever. In the second case, a sealed bulb is placed in the drain tank, covering the drain hole at the end of the drain. In modern toilets with tanks, in which there is a button, fittings are provided that are associated with filling and overflow systems. The new toilets have 2 buttons for saving water, one of which makes a small flush, and the other a large one. The fittings of the drain device for the toilet bowl include rubber gaskets and plastic elements, therefore, if necessary, it can be replaced completely or by spare parts for the toilet for this area.
In order to prevent overflow, the drain mechanism is connected to the overflow. With too much water, it goes directly to the sewer.
Installing the drain tank
To carry out this operation, you will need several tools: a screwdriver, keys: open-end, special and adjustable, as well as gloves. Installation of the drain tank is carried out in several stages:
- The washer is put on the tank fixing screw until it stops.
- The centering washer is tensioned until it contacts the metal washer.
- After that, the tank mounting screw is placed in the mounting hole.
- A gasket, nut is placed on the screw outside the tank, and a metal washer is placed between them.
- The nut is tightened with an open-end wrench, after which we repeat paragraphs. 1-5 for the second mount.
- We place the screw of the drain valve in the hole in the tank.
- Press the drain valve to the tank from the inside or make a pulling movement for the drain valve screw.
- We screw the nut first by hand, then using a special key.
- The O-ring on both sides has a protective film that must be removed, and then attach the O-ring to the tank.
- We put on a plastic washer and a rubber gasket on the float valve, which is placed in a special hole designed for it.
- After that, the valve is fixed, the nut is tightened.
- We install the tank on the shelf of the toilet, installation begins with the insertion of screws into the holes on this shelf.
- A gasket, a metal washer and a wing nut are placed on the screw , after which the latter is tightened. The nut must not be overtightened, as this may lead to the tank distorting and breaking off the shelf. It’s better not to tighten it, and if there is a leak, then pull it up slowly.
- A lid is mounted on top of the drain tank.
- A flush button is installed in the hole on this cover.
If the toilet is a two-button, you need to install a small button so that the small valve works when it is pressed, the large - large.
Forms of release of the toilet flush system
The toilet flush system can be produced in three forms:
- Vertical release - used previously. To the riser, a sewer outlet was located at the neighbors below, under their ceiling.
- Horizontal release - appeared relatively recently. The main advantage is sophisticated sealing. The toilet can be installed directly to the riser, the toilet outlet can be inserted into the tee on the riser.
- Oblique release is the most common form. Through the use of corrugations, which are plastic pipes with cuffs-seals, a toilet with a horizontal outlet is connected to an inclined socket.
Provided that the sewer system in the house or apartment is not changed, it is necessary to select a form of toilet discharge that will correspond to the shape of the socket.
Types of drainage system
This system is divided into circular and rear. At the rear discharge, water from the tank flows in a single stream along the back wall of the toilet bowl, creating a strong stream of water that cleans the place of contamination, however, splashes that must be removed using special chemicals get on the front surface of the toilet bowl.
With a circular drain, water enters the toilet from the holes located in a circle around the bowl, the entire surface is washed, but the back wall may remain partially contaminated. Sales managers often offer a round-robin system, but the choice of drain is up to you.
In addition, drain systems are in the form of a bell, using corrugations or pears.
A bell is a heavy cork made of cast iron with a gasket on the bottom wall. It is mainly characteristic of the upper tanks, in which the tank itself is made of cast iron and connected to a pipe made of steel suitable for the toilet. Inside the tank there is a lever with a chain on one side, and the opposite lever shoulder is used as a mechanism to raise a bell. While raising the cork, water rushes into the drain pipe; when lowering the cork, water creates a certain pressure in the upper part of the pipe.
The main drain problems when using a bell are accumulations of rust and other deposits that have formed over a period of years inside the overflow, reducing flushing efficiency (they are eliminated by annealing the bell on an open fire with shaking of scale and replacing the gaskets), as well as the deformation of the rubber gasket, as a result of which it loses its elasticity and requires replacement 1 time in 1.5-2 years.
The work when using the corrugation is as follows: the rope stretches on the lever of the corrugation, the latter bends and water is sucked in. When releasing the rope, the corrugation maintains a slope until the water is completely drained from the tank. The main problem is that at the bend of the corrugation after a few years it starts to leak, so it must be replaced. This is a simple operation, if the drain pipe is plastic and rather complicated, if the pipe is steel, so under the tank during the replacement of the corrugation, you need to go with a tap.
In those drain systems that are used in modern tanks, the pear in the saddle is used. When you press a button on the toilet, it raises the stem up. The pear rises from the saddle and a passage opens for water. The saddle may become contaminated with sand or slag (must be cleaned). Pear made of rubber or rubber gasket. Over time, this material loses its elasticity and requires replacement.
Types of Water Mirrors
The following types of water mirrors are distinguished:
- Front mirror In front of him is a visor with a counterclone, in which a small portion of water is located. The disadvantage is an unpleasant odor.
- It is downhill. Advantages - there is no unpleasant odor, a minimum amount of spray.
- Funnel-shaped bowl - the mirror is in the middle. Here, a potential splash is possible when using the toilet with such a bowl, which causes splashes that can get on the body. The drains are delayed, the smell is not very pleasant.
Classification of toilet bowls
Tanks are classified according to a number of signs.
- By type of descent device - lever and button with a variety of placement of the above elements. It is usually installed in the top middle of the tank, but can be installed on the side of the wall. Water is drained by moving the chain down. Also, the button can be installed above the toilet, but on top.
- According to the installation method: the tank can be mounted in a wall, which requires the reconstruction of at least one wall; the tank can hang on top of the toilet - although this method is considered obsolete, there is still a demand for such models; such toilets are suitable for retro-style toilets; the tank is located on the toilet shelf — a traditional style of toilet bowl that allows for quick and timely repairs.
- According to the material of manufacture: cast-iron tanks - reliably, but not very aesthetically; earthenware tanks - the most common option in this group with various color schemes; plastic tanks - designed mainly because of the light weight for wall mounting.
- By type of descent mechanism: manual system - the tank valve opens at the request of the user; mechanical system - adjustment is carried out without user intervention.
The economic cost of spare parts for the toilet
The main spare parts of the toilet are the drain tank and fittings.
Currently produced tanks made of porcelain and plastic, ceiling and floor, different in size and shape. The price of drain tanks can fluctuate in very large limits - from 2000-2500 rubles and up to amounts in excess of hundreds of thousands of rubles. As with any other product sold through a retail chain, the price largely depends on the manufacturer.
As already noted, the fittings are also an important spare part in addition to the drain tank. The price for it is from 500 to 1200 rubles.
A single-mode drain button costs about 400-500 rubles., Lids for the tank - 800-1100 rubles.
Finally
There are many flush systems for the toilet. When choosing a toilet bowl and its flush system, you need to be guided by many factors, including price, room area, aesthetic perception and the possibility of repairing the mechanism.