The toilet is one of the most common water fixtures in homes and businesses, but it's also the one that's most often taken for granted. Developed over the centuries, the modern toilet provides us with excellent sanitation and a healthier environment by effectively removing bacteria-laden waste from our lives. But what happens once you hit that button or lever? Here's a quick look into the inner workings of black water systems:
Down the Drain - What Happens Next?
Your toilet has two water systems in it that never connect except in the exact order they start out in. A supply line provides water to the tank, which is controlled by a float switch. Once the
switch floats up to a particular position with the rising water, it shuts off the water supply. At the bottom of the tank is an outlet valve that holds the water in place in the tank until you hit the button or lever that released it to flow into the second part of the system, the bowl.
Because the water flows in this direction, water in your tank is just as clean as the water you drink from your sink faucet. In fact, in an emergency when the power is out and you've lost water pressure, this is a place to get another day's worth of water to keep one person going, provided it's left untreated from dissolving sanitizers or scents in the tank. It's completely separated from the unhealthy water in the bowl that contains waste. As the water is flushed into the bowl, it pushes the existing dirty water down the trap and into the drain system.
Once the water is pushed into the drain system, gravity takes over. Drain lines are slightly sloped down the grade in most situations, unless an active pump is part of the system. That means that the slope of the pipe is what moves the waste out of your home and into either your city's sewer system or your home's septic tank.
Getting the waste out of your home is vital to maintaining a healthy environment for yourself and your loved ones. If you're having issues with a toilet that isn't working properly, it's time to get it fixed. If you're not comfortable with the repairs, please feel free to contact Stahl Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today. You'll discover exactly what makes us the top choice in Pittsburgh plumbers.