What Are the Parts of a Toilet?
What Are the Parts of a Toilet? How Do They Function?
One of man’s most wonderful inventions has to be the modern toilet! Let’s face it—this is something we 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 also 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 do the simple repairs. 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: The round part of the toilet that holds water and waste.
- Tank: 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 tube carries fresh water from the main water supply to the refill tube.
Toilet Parts Within the Tank
- Float Ball: 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- Float Cup: On many newer toilets, the float ball has been replaced by a float cup that is located on the valve body.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 located under your toilet. It’s what your toilet sits on. When the toilet is set on the wax ring, the wax expands, creating 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. Bookmark the article if you need to. The next time you have a toilet malfunction, maybe you'll be able to do the repairs yourself!
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
© 2010 Holle Abee
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Comments
Water is not filling in the tank ? Please help
Very good article, read also my article https://hubpages.com/living/Bathroom-Decorating-Id...
Very Good Information, Thanks Very Much.
Thanx 4 the answers to my assighnment mwhahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahhahahahahahhahahah......cough....cough...."mom wheres the buckleys?"
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thanx
- AUTHOR
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.
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.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Quildon! I'm squeezing Hubby's brain for more!
Hi habee, I'm really getting a lot of new information from your product descriptions. Keep'em coming.
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Prsetio, I always appreciate your comments!
Felt flush - good one, Sandy!
Wow, I never had it broken down like this before. I felt a little flush reading this. :)
you always find the great stuff become the idea in writing. I really appreciate. two thumbs up for you! good work habee.
- AUTHOR
Audrey, I often find my mind in the proverbial gutter!
- AUTHOR
FF, I'm not good with plumbing, but hubby is!
- AUTHOR
Glad you stopped for a read, Alexandria!
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.
Habee, I'm waiting to see something that you're not good at. Very good hub as usual.
good and nice one
- AUTHOR
Thanks for reading, Pamela!
Funny, Ethel! I always turn that over to JOhnny!
- AUTHOR
Yeah, Kaie, I always turn this over to Hubby!
Yes you are definitely a plumber on the quiet.Good info
Habee, You explained the toilet so even I could understand. Good hub.
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
- AUTHOR
I like to always keep readers guessing, HH! lol
Whatever, next you come up with, habee? Congratulation, a super hub.
- AUTHOR
Bpop, I can't really take credit - hubby is a general contractor!
Thanks, Tony, for the kind words!
- AUTHOR
True, Sheila! So I guess I get to pick out our toilet!
- AUTHOR
Thanks, Veronica!
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 !
Habee,
You are amazing you cook, you travel and you know all about toilets!
I saw this title and laughed! Of course we need a toilet in the bathroom you've been designing for us!
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."
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