Different Types Of Toilet Flush Systems

Gone are the days when there was only one type of flush system that used up half a tank of water.

As the interior design industry progresses and evolves, bathroom ware and fittings are following suit. When it comes to toilets, people have become conscious of the design, comfort, an even amount of water a flush system uses to minimise waste. This is why new systems use less water but work with the same amount of power.

However, the different toilet flush systems can be pretty confusing at times. If you are looking to change your flush system but don’t know which one to buy, this one’s for you. We have put together this short guide on the various types of toilet flush systems that’ll help identify the ideal one.

Now, without further ado, let’s get right to it.

Different Types Of Toilet Flush Systems

How Does a Toilet Work?

Before we get into the types of toilet flush systems, let’s talk about how a toilet works. To understand the working, we must split the toilet into two main parts - the bowl and the tank.

When you look at any toilet bowl, you will notice it is bolted to the ground firmly. It is permanently anchored on top of a drain pipe from where the water flows out while flushing. Since the water has to flow into the bowl, it is imperative to create an air and water-tight seal, so nothing seeps out of the sides and on the ground.

Now, coming to the tank. The tank has multiple parts like a handle, fill valve, flush valve, and the flapper that all work together for a smooth flushing process. When you push the handle down, the flapper moves and causes the flush valve to open. This leads to the water flowing into the bowl.

The flapper will come back to its original position and close the flush valve on leaving the handle. This is where the fill valve does its job and fills the tank. In addition, some tanks have a floating rod and ball attached that ensures the water does not overflow by stopping the toilet fill valve after a certain level.

As we mentioned, the bowl is anchored on top of the drain pipe. So, after the water flows into the bowl, a siphon effect is created. This pushes the waste and toilet water down the drainpipe.

Types Of Toilet Flush Systems

1. Gravity Flush

The gravity flush toilet is the more common one you would see these days. They are pretty traditional in terms of how they work and are not difficult to understand. This kind of flush system is one where the flapper opens to let the water in the tank escape, and the siphoning action cleans the bowl.

One great thing about the gravity flush system is that it is simple and easy to maintain. Additionally, there aren’t many moving parts in the design with no pressure-assist, so the mechanics are straightforward.

2. Pressure-Assisted Flush

The next type is a pressure-assisted flush which is very similar to the gravity flush system but with an added feature. In this, the flush tank has a smaller tank inside it, known as the pressure vessel. If you are looking for a flush mechanism that can get rid of waste faster, this is the one to go for.

Once the water enters the tank, it becomes pressurised, and when you push the handle down, the water enters the bowl with a lot of force. The only issue with this one is that it can be pretty noisy compared to a gravity flush.

3. Dual Flush System

Next on the list is the dual flush system which is ideal for environmentally conscious people. Dual flush toilets have two flush buttons - one for more water, one for less water. Depending on the waste you’re trying to get rid of, you can use one of the two buttons.

Now, let’s talk about the mechanism. When you press the button, the flush valve moves and allows the water to enter the bowl. It is entirely up to you to choose how much water and power is used. Usually, a full flush will use 1.6 gallons of water, while a partial flush uses 1.1 gallons.

4. Double-Cyclone Flush System

If you are looking for a powerful flush system, take a look at the double cyclone variants. These are ideal for toilets that need a high-pressure flush to get rid of large quantities of waste. In this system, two nozzles on the side of the bowl spill the water out.

These two jets make the water flow out with high pressure to create a tornado in the bowl. This is because of the propulsion system in the tank that ensures more water is going into the bowl. The whirlpool created allows better cleaning of bigger waste.

However, as complicated as it may sound, it’s just a gravity flush system combined with a propulsion system and jets.

5. Ballcock Flush System

This is another common type of toilet and also something we have mentioned before. A ballcock flush toilet system has a floating rod and ball attached to the tank. These two features control how much water stays and goes in the tank.

When you press the handle, the rod will move, which triggers the plunger on the ball. This action then determines how much water comes into the tank.

6. Siphon Flush System

The siphon flush mechanism is pretty generic and common. But, the critical element is the way the water leaves the bowl instead of entering it. The mechanism is pretty simple - you push the lever, allowing the water to go into the bowl.

However, once the water enters the bowl with these types of toilets, you will notice the water start to rise. Once it reaches a particular level, this system creates a siphon that gets rid of the waste. With these, you might also hear some gurgling noises when the waste goes through the trap way.

7. Washdown Toilet

This one is similar to the siphon flush system, but it does not create a siphon to eliminate the waste. Instead, it pushes the water down on waste in the bowl, forcing it to go through the trap way.

This mechanism is not very common anymore as it has evolved into a dual flush toilet. A washdown toilet tends to use up a ton of water for very little waste. But now, with the dual flush system, it is easier to monitor how much water is utilised.

FAQs

Q1. What is a flush valve, and how does it work?

A flush valve is one of the essential parts of the tank as it causes the water to move into the bowl. They come in various shapes and sizes, determining how fast the water will move into the bowl.

Every cistern has a button or handles that triggers the flush valve. Once you flush the toilet, the cable attached to the valve will lift it and allow the water to flow. Additionally, the flush valve has a seal that ensures the tank is sealed shut when the valve comes back down.

Q2. Are there different types of flush valves?

Yes, indeed! As we mentioned, different valves determine the amount and pressure of the water that flows into the bowl. The most common type is a two-inch valve and flapper, which you might see in most residential toilets. These are small and ideal for a toilet that does not need a lot of water per flush.

You can also go for a three-inch, four-inch, or dual-flush valve for more power. While the three-inch valve is mainly for faster flow, the four-inch and dual flush ones are ideal for using more power and less water.

What Flush System Do You Have?

And there you have it, folks, a short guide on the types of toilet flush systems. We hope this has been informative and given you a better idea of the variety available.

Apart from looking and feeling good, a lot more goes into buying the ideal flushing system. Since the industry and the designs have evolved so much, it is not hard to find something economical and better for the environment.

On that note, we shall sign off and be back soon with many more such guides.

Until next time!