Blog

Photo By bymuratdeniz at istock

They get many names. Some people call the toilet The John, The Loo and even The Porcelain Throne. Every home has at least one. Whatever you call the toilet, they all function the same. All toilets provide the best solution to a problem: to efficiently get rid of human waste. And having a good plumber on hand to keep it working well is essential.

3 Components of a Toilet:

They have three components: the bowl siphon, the flush mechanism and the refill mechanism.

The components may not look the same in all toilets. That would depend on the type of toilet.

The bowl siphon has no moving parts and yet it is the crucial mechanism of your toilet. Do a little experiment. Try taking a cup of water into the bowl and you will notice that nothing really happens. Even if you pour more than 20 cups of water or about 6 liters of water into the bowl, still — nothing will happen. The water level in the toilet bowl will rise but the extra water that is spilled is drained by the siphon tube.

Now try pouring in about 2 gallons of water to the bowl. Doing that will instantly cause your toilet bowl to flush. You will notice that the water is sucked out of the toilet bowl while making that familiar flush sound. It flushed as you poured just enough water fast enough that it’s sucked immediately and deposited to the sewer pipe. You have activated the siphon.

The tank, on the other hand, acts as a capacitor. It can hold several gallons of water. And when it’s flushed, all of the water in the tank is dumped into the bowl. That is equivalent to dumping 2 gallons of water into the toilet bowl.

Once the tank is empty, the tank is once again refilled. It is the refill mechanism’s work to fill the tank with water just enough to start the process again.

Low- Flow and Dual- Flush Toilets

Before 1992, residents in the United States only used the low-flow toilets. This is the type of toilet that uses about 7 gallons of water per flush. After the Federal Energy Policy Act, some toilets now only use 1.6 gallons of water. A big difference, really.

Some low-flow models – especially the newer ones – are good enough for the household. However, you will just see a major difference in the water bills. Surely, with a high-efficient toilet that uses only 1.6 gallons of water, you definitely can save more money. That is one one of the biggest benefits of dual flush toilets.

Below we have covered some of the benefits of dual flush toilets.

Benefits of Dual Flush Toilets

These types of toilets are not only highly efficient. Dual flush toilets are also friendly to the environment. You get the benefits described below when you decide to switch to dual flush toilets.

Water-Efficient

Manufacturers of dual flush toilets comply with the National Energy Policy Act to produce toilets that will use not more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Switching to dual flush toilets lets you save about 4000 gallons of water annually.

Less Clogs

Because dual flush toilets are designed to get rid of the waste through a large trapway, this means that it reduces toilet clogs. They have powerful flushes — in fact, more high-efficient models can flush about 350 grams of human waste. Talk to your plumber in Pantego, TX if you need more information about dual flush toilets and which brands you should get for your home.

Saves Money

One of the major benefits of dual flush toilets are the savings you get in your utility bill. Also, you may get a rebate when you decide to purchase dual flush toilets with WaterSense labels from well-known US manufacturers. It doesn’t only help the environment but toilets with WaterSense labels also perform well.

They Look Stylish

Dual flush toilets look modern and sleek. They can easily blend with any bathroom decor styles. This is another reason why most homeowners choose them. Dual flush toilets can also help you improve the value of your home as its energy-efficient and water-efficient. Most homebuyers prefer it over the low-flow toilets.

Like other bathroom fixtures, dual flush toilets also have its disadvantages. Depending on the model, some dual flush toilets may be difficult to install. So do not think about watching DIY YouTube videos or reading some articles on how to install a dual flush toilet. Always seek the help of a plumber in Pantego, TX for proper installation. When buying, do make sure that you have a quick introduction with the manufacturer as you may be confused where the high volume or low volume buttons are especially when you are not accustomed to using dual flush toilets.

The pros of using dual flush toilets definitely outweigh the cons. Talk to a plumber at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Pantego, TX if you are thinking about installing dual flush toilets for your home. Our plumber will be more than happy to assist you.

Toilet Maintenance

Regular toilet maintenance keeps your toilet in top shape. It will also prevent extremely inconvenient problems and costly toilet troubles. Below are a few tips on how to properly maintain your toilets.

Use Only Mild Cleaners

Cleaning your toilets regularly will keep them in great working condition. Also, it will keep your bathroom clean and fresh. You may use vinegar, baking soda or mild soap for cleaning as they are very porcelain-friendly. As much as possible, avoid those drop-in-the-tank cleaners as they may damage the rubber flaps and will cost you more in repairs. Use only cleaners that will not damage the toilets and your pipes.

Avoid Using Chemical Cleaners for Unclogging the Toilet

Some homeowners think that it’s a lot easier to get rid of clogs when they use chemical cleaners. This may be true but a plumber would not recommend using very strong cleaners as that can do significant damage to older pipes. Also, when you are not careful, it could do damage not just to your skin when there is direct contact, but they are not good for the lungs when exhaled. Chemical-based cleaners may also cause problems with the septic systems and older fixtures. And you definitely do not want them in your water systems either. Just to be safe, contact a plumber on what cleaners you should use for your toilet or just go with the plain vinegar and baking soda solution.

Schedule Maintenance with a Plumber Every 6 Months

Ideally, you should have a plumber inspect your toilet at least twice a year just to make sure that all components are working properly. You can also do this yourself if you know how it works. You may take the lid off the tank and flush your toilet. Watch all components whether they are working — make sure that the flapper seals completely and the fill valve stops at an appropriate level of water.

Constantly Check for Leaks

A running toilet happens when water flow is interrupted due to a damaged flapper valve. The water continuously transfers it to your toilet and doesn’t stop unless you do something about it. When your toilet doesn’t stop running, call a plumber in Pantego, TX right away so they can help you resolve it. Otherwise, you will lose 2 gallons of water in every minute that the toilet runs. If it’s not fixed right away, that will do a significant increase in your water bill.

What you can do is check for leaks periodically. You can do this by dropping a few food coloring in the water tank. Do not use the toilet for about 30 minutes and then check the bowl. If you see water in the bowl, that means that there is a leak. Call the services of a plumber right away.

Consider the Type of Toilet Paper

Some toilet paper is difficult to flush. You may love the super soft paper but they may not be good for your septic system. Make sure you use those that are easily broken down to avoid clogs.

Avoid Tossing Anything Into the Toilet Bowl

It is a given that you never flush anything other than human waste. Do not toss diapers, food or wipes into your bowl. Also, you may want to educate your family members, especially children, on what can and cannot be flushed. Make sure you also monitor their toilet paper usage just to prevent toilet clogs. Most importantly, teach them how to properly maintain and clean toilets.

Learn How to Properly Use a Flange Plunger

Your skills will come in handy when your toilet clogs. If it’s a minor clog, it should be resolved by the flange plunger. Otherwise, you may need to acquire an auger or a snake. Call a plumber in Pantego, TX though if you do not know how to use these. A plumber should be able to help you unclog your toilet right away.

Call A Plumber When Necessary

Some minor clogs are mostly resolved by pouring in a bucket of hot water into the bowl. However, there are some toilet problems that are difficult to resolve. When this happens, never hesitate to call a plumber to prevent toilet emergencies that may cost you more. Call a plumber immediately when you notice brown water into your faucets or shower right after flushing. That is a sure sign that something needs to be fixed immediately.

To prevent major toilet emergencies, never neglect symptoms or minor problems. Remember that plumbing emergencies do not suddenly happen, they are usually a result of smaller problems that have built up. Speak to a plumber in Pantego, TX as they can better assist you with whatever plumbing problems you are having.

What to do When the Toilet Overflows

You will feel like you are in big trouble when you see this happen as it can be really inconvenient dealing with toilet problems especially if you are running late for work or have an important appointment and you won’t be able to deal with it right away.

First, do not panic. Here are a few steps that you can take when you see that your toilet starts to overflow.

When the water overflows after flushing the toilet, you are likely dealing with a clog problem. What you need to do is to stop the flow of water that goes into the toilet. Try to remove the lid of the tank and check the flapper valve. Press it down as that will prevent water to get into the toilet bowl. You can then lift the float, hold it for about a minute to temporarily stop the water supply.

To deal with the clog, use a flange plunger to remove whatever is blocking the flow of water. A few pumps should help you if it’s a minor clog. If you can’t resolve it by using a flange plunger, check the tank again. If you don’t flush and the water still overflows, the problem could be the main sewer line or the drain pipe. It is time to call the services of a plumber in Pantego, TX. They should be able to effectively deal with your toilet problem.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

For plumbing-related concerns such as toilet emergencies, you can always count on Benjamin Franklin. We have been helping residents of Pantego, TX effectively deal with their plumbing problems. Our services include drain cleaning, faucet repair and replacement, garbage disposals, tankless water heaters, sump pumps, sink and tub replacement, and many other services.

Talk to our friendly staff so we can assist you better with your concern. We are always ready to help our clients. It’s our commitment to provide only exceptional services including the best plumbing solutions for your homes.

If you need a plumber, call us today for an appointment.