Toilets are not really given too much thought until they
start to leak or become clogged. Then most people are very interested in them.
While not being the topic of too many conversations, knowing what types of
toilets are available on the market and how they work just might come in handy
some day. After all, it has been estimated that up to thirty percent of the
water we use in our homes is used by our toilets. The more we know, the better
our decisions will be when the time comes to repair or replace one.
In terms of functionality, there are basically two primary
types to keep in mind. There are single flush and dual flush models that are
predominant in home these days. Single flush models are more common having been
the earliest design but dual flush types are gaining traction as more people
become aware of the environmental impact of wasted water and the savings that
using less water can deliver. The difference between the two models is that
single flush toilets have a single flushing mechanism and use the same amount
of water for all types of waste. Dual flush models have two flushing mechanisms
and allows people to choose between using a large water volume for
flushing solid waste and a smaller water
volume for flushing liquid waste.
In regards to design, there are three primary methods
utilized for actually performing the flushing action. The first one makes use
of gravity to get the job done. Gravity design toilets probably account for
around 98 percent of all toilets in our homes. As one might guess, the water
from the tank gets dispensed into the bowl by the flushing lever on the toilet,
and through the use of gravity and a design that creates a siphon effect, the
waste contents get carried out into the sewage system.
The other two mechanisms for performing the flushing action are
vacuum and pressure aided designs. While these have their place and purpose,
you won’t be seeing these in too many homes. These were designed with
commercial and institutional use in mind. A vacuum design toilet has a device
located in the trap that is used in conjunction with the water to flush the
contents of the bowl. The pressure design combines air with the water to
accomplish the flushing. These are more expensive and more powerful than
gravity design models.