Need to install a new toilet flush mechanism or replace a broken one? Or trying to decide what kind of toilet to buy? Before you spend money, let's see what types of flush systems are available at all.
For decades, people in the US used flapper-flush valves. However, newer options include siphon mechanisms and pressure-assisted tanks among others.
For residential toilets, the most common systems are listed below.
Common Types of Toilet Flush Systems
Tank Fill Valve Flush System
Tank fill valve flush systems use a ballcock with a plunger which is a mechanism for filling water tanks. It’s a floating ball that is attached to a floating rod. The rod activates the plunger in the ballcock’s body to allow and stop water from flowing to the tank.
Flapper-Flush Valve Flush System
This is a toilet flush valve that is opened and closed by a plate hinged at one side. This mechanism is called the Flapper, and it is usually made of plastic and soft rubber. The flapper is connected to a chain hanging down from the flush handle lever. It allows and blocks the water flow in the tank.
Siphon Flush Mechanism
Unlike the flapper-flush-valve system, this one uses a siphon. It consists of a vertical pipe that connects the flush pipe to a domed chamber inside the cistern. When you press on the lever, it raises a perforated disc, and the water flows over the siphon. The flush stops when the cistern is empty.
Siphon is more reliable than other valve types because it doesn't have sealing washers that can wear out and cause leaks. However, the siphon membrane may need occasional replacement.
Washdown Toilet
Washdown toilets are another generic flushing system that, unlike siphon flush toilets, often have large trapways that are not meant to siphon water off the trap. Instead, they use the washdown method where water is forced into the bowl to push the waste down through the trap. Today, washdown toilets adopt dual-flush technology (read more of this later) and pave the way for modern flushing systems that are very popular in the market.
Pressure-Assisted Flush System
This is a powerful flushing system that uses pressurized air to force water into the bowl. This flushing system is excellent, especially for large bowls like those being used in public toilets, which handle much more human excretions and foreign objects thrown in the bowl; these toilets need a powerful flushing system, thus, pressure-assisted flush systems are commonly used for them. The downside to this flush system is that it’s very noisy.
Gravity Flush System
This may be the oldest type of flushing system, but it’s also the most popular in the market. Gravity flush systems apply water to make the flushing pressure, which then forces the contents from the tank and bowl into the trap way. There’s a siphoning action at the end of each flush which further cleanses the bowl, and given that there aren’t any additional mechanics involved, the gravity flush, unlike the pressure-assisted flush, is a quieter flushing system.
Double Cyclone Flush System
The double cyclone flushing system is one of the latest flushing systems that were introduced in the market. Pioneered by the known toilet brand Toto, double cyclone flushing systems use two nozzles supported by a propulsion system which allows more water to flow through the tube and produces a more powerful siphoning action for a much more efficient flush.
Double cyclone flush systems are somewhat similar to gravity flush systems as they utilize some gravity flush mechanics to complete the flushing process.
Dual Flush System
Dual flush systems are also one of the latest flushing systems in the market and are quickly gaining popularity. With dual-flush toilets, users can choose between a partial flush and a full flush. This provides a bit of a solution to some water consumption arguments as it can potentially save consumers tons of water.
A full flush uses around a gallon and a half of water per flush while a partial flash uses less than a gallon of water, which is ideal if the bowl contains only urine. Flushing is done with just the push of a button and users experience far fewer issues with this toilet flushing system than any of the others in this list.
Rear Flush Toilet System
Rear flush toilet systems use a different kind of toilet bowl. It has more to do with bathroom space convenience rather than flushing. However, this flush toilet system deserves to be on this list since it is widely used mainly in European countries. Rear flush toilet systems offer more flushing power than conventional flush toilet systems, and this is often because of pressure-assisted devices that add more power with every flush.
Rear flush toilets are more compact compared to floor flush toilets. They use very minimal bathroom space which is why many consumers prefer this flush toilet type.
These are only the most popular flushing systems available in the market. It’s safe to assume that we should see a lot more as our technologies evolve. Indeed, some toilet flushing systems are far superior to others. But regardless of the types we’re using, these flush systems were invented to make our lives more convenient.
Images by: Amazon, Wikipedia
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