How Low-Flow Toilets WorkWhat different types of flushing mechanisms are available?
With FlappersGravity fed toilets rely on gravity to "pull" the water from the toilet.Vacuum-assist toilets have a mechanism within the tank that creates a small vacuum in the trap to aid in the normal flush action of the toilet.Without FlappersPressure-assist uses compressed air to force water into the bowl and "push" the waste from the toilet.Dual-flush toilet technology has been used in Australia for many years. A dual-flush toilet allows the user to select a short flush for liquid waste (three litres) or long flush for solid waste (six litres). See Figures 1 and 2. This option can result in even lower water consumption.
Tip-bucket technology, which is a relatively new, uses a bucket located at the top of the toilet tank. This bucket fills up with water, when the lever is activated. The bucket then tips the water into the tank where it drains into the bowl. An advantage of the tip-bucket technology is that there are no flappers to leak or to be replaced.Why are flappers important?The flapper is a small rubber cap that sits on the bottom of the reservoir or toilet tank making a seal between the tank and the toilet bowl. A properly seated flapper will stop the water flow from the tank into the bowl until its time to flush. When the lever on the toilet is depressed, the flapper is raised allowing the water to flow into the bowl and evacuate the waste. A properly installed and functioning flapper ensures that the water efficiency of the toilet is maintained. Flappers periodically leak or break. Not replacing the flapper or replacing it with the incorrect flapper can turn a water efficient toilet into a water-wasting toilet. Care should be used when selecting cleaners for inside the reservoir as some products can damage the rubber flapper and cause it to leak. What is the difference between one-piece and two-piece toilets?The one-piece toilet is designed so the tank and bowl are cast as a single vitreous china fixture. One-piece toilets offer some of the lowest profiles in the industry. Two-piece or close-coupled toilets have a separate tank and bowl secured to each other. One-piece toilets tend to be quieter as these toilets flush without a large "head" pressure ("head" is the distance the water falls). Sources:
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