Holle likes doing simple repairs on her own toilets because those calls to the plumber can get costly.

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• Float Cup: On many newer toilets, the float ball has been replaced by a float cup that is located on the valve body.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.

© 2010 Holle Abee

Comments

Rita Alcaraz on August 04, 2018:

Water is not filling in the tank ? Please help

Erna Ayunda on April 12, 2018:

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Cupid on May 18, 2014:

Very Good Information, Thanks Very Much.

Somone in Mr.g's class on May 01, 2013:

Thanx 4 the answers to my assighnment mwhahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahhahahahahahhahahah......cough....cough...."mom wheres the buckleys?"

john on June 13, 2012:

www.toilet-valve.com

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fafafaf on May 12, 2010:

thanx

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on May 03, 2010:

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.

Chuck K. on May 02, 2010:

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.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 24, 2010:

Thanks, Quildon! I'm squeezing Hubby's brain for more!

Angela Joseph from Florida on February 22, 2010:

Hi habee, I'm really getting a lot of new information from your product descriptions. Keep'em coming.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 22, 2010:

Thanks, Prsetio, I always appreciate your comments!

Felt flush - good one, Sandy!

Sandy Mertens from Wisconsin, USA on February 21, 2010:

Wow, I never had it broken down like this before. I felt a little flush reading this. :)

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on February 20, 2010:

you always find the great stuff become the idea in writing. I really appreciate. two thumbs up for you! good work habee.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 20, 2010:

Audrey, I often find my mind in the proverbial gutter!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 20, 2010:

FF, I'm not good with plumbing, but hubby is!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 20, 2010:

Glad you stopped for a read, Alexandria!

Audrey Kirchner from Washington on February 20, 2010:

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.

Alfreta Sailor from Southern California on February 20, 2010:

Habee, I'm waiting to see something that you're not good at. Very good hub as usual.

alexandriaruthk from US on February 20, 2010:

good and nice one

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 20, 2010:

Thanks for reading, Pamela!

Funny, Ethel! I always turn that over to JOhnny!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 20, 2010:

Yeah, Kaie, I always turn this over to Hubby!

Ethel Smith from Kingston-Upon-Hull on February 20, 2010:

Yes you are definitely a plumber on the quiet.Good info

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on February 19, 2010:

Habee, You explained the toilet so even I could understand. Good hub.

Kaie Arwen on February 19, 2010:

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

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 19, 2010:

I like to always keep readers guessing, HH! lol

Hello, hello, from London, UK on February 19, 2010:

Whatever, next you come up with, habee? Congratulation, a super hub.

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 19, 2010:

Bpop, I can't really take credit - hubby is a general contractor!

Thanks, Tony, for the kind words!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 19, 2010:

True, Sheila! So I guess I get to pick out our toilet!

Holle Abee (author) from Georgia on February 19, 2010:

Thanks, Veronica!

tony0724 from san diego calif on February 19, 2010:

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 !

tony0724 from san diego calif on February 19, 2010:

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 !

breakfastpop on February 19, 2010:

Habee,

You are amazing you cook, you travel and you know all about toilets!

sheila b. on February 19, 2010:

I saw this title and laughed! Of course we need a toilet in the bathroom you've been designing for us!

Veronica Allen from Georgia on February 19, 2010:

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."