Different Parts of a Toilet Tank You Should Know About

A toilet is an essential part of any home and is used on a regular basis by you and your family members. Different Parts of a Toilet Tank You Should Know About These problems can lead to things like inefficient flushing, water leaking onto the floor, or even an unpleasant odor lurking around in your bathroom. The toilet tank is an important part of this setup, so understanding how it works and educating yourself about its various parts is a good idea. We take a closer look at these parts and what you should do if you notice problems with your toilet.

Common Parts Of A Toilet Tank

The toilet tank is where water is stored and then pushed into the toilet bowl when you flush. While it may seem like a basic structure from the outside, there are actually several parts that are inside the tank. When your toilet doesn’t flush or keeps leaking water, the issue is usually related to the tank. Let’s discuss the most important parts that form part of the toilet tank.

Tank Cover

One of the first toilet tank parts you will notice is the cover. This is a structure that serves as a lid on top of the toilet tank. While the cover generally does not play a functional role in the tank’s functions, it still forms an important part of the entire toilet. The cover helps to ensure the water that fills the tank won’t splash over the sides, which could leave pools on the floor next to your toilet. The cover also helps to make your bathroom look neater. Some of these covers include a flush button on top, but this is not always the case.

Flush Trigger

Sometimes just referred to as the handle, this particular part is responsible for activating the flushing mechanism when you pull it. Many modern toilets use alternative trigger systems, often with a button instead of a classic trigger. Regardless, the purpose of this trigger is important – without it, you will not be able to create a reaction inside the bowl that causes water to flush down toward the toilet bowl.

Flush Valve

As water fills the toilet tank, it needs to remain in this reservoir until you need to flush it into the bowl. This is where the flush valve comes into the picture. This particular valve sits at the bottom of the toilet tank. There are different types of flush valves that manufacturers use, so it’s not always the same. In most cases, these valves use either plastic or metal materials in their construction. The flush valve also generally consists of the opening itself that allows water to transfer from the tank to the bowl. Some examples of valve options include:

• Canister valves
• Flapper valves
• Ballcock valves
• Diaphragm valves

Toilet Tank Flapper

The next part that we are going to talk about is the toilet tank flapper. This particular part of the toilet sits on top of the flush valve and regulates the movement of water from the tank through the valve. The flapper is connected to an internal system inside the toilet tank, which is triggered by the handle you use when you want to flush the toilet. When you pull or push on this lever, then a chain pulls the flapper upward. This creates an opportunity for the water to flush down the valve. Once the lever goes back up, the flapper moves down into the valve in order to seal it again.

Flapper Lift Chain

There is a chain attached to the flapper, which has a connection to the flush lever. This particular chain creates tension when you push down the toilet lever. The chain needs an adjustment to ensure it does not push the flapper too much back after flushing, as this can cause leakage from the tank into the bowl. At the same time, the chain should still produce enough tension to lift the flap up properly.

Toilet Fill Valve

After you flush your toilet, water needs to start flowing into the tank again. This ensures there will be sufficient water for the next flush. The filling of the tank is regulated by the toilet fill valve. This is a lengthy piece that connects directly to the water supply. There are parts that connect to the toilet fill valve, which consists of the refill tube and the toilet float. Together, these three regulate the flow of water from the supply into the tank.

Float Ball

If you open up the toilet tank, you’ll see a floating ball that looks almost like a balloon on the water. It connects to the fill valve and helps to ensure the process of filling the toilet stops when there is enough water inside. The ball will float at the top of the tank. When you flush the toilet, it goes down with the water. As water enters the tank again, the float ball will also rise upward. When it is at the correct position, it stops the fill valve from pushing more water into the tank.

Refill Tube

You’ll always see some water at the bottom of your toilet, even after flushing. This water comes from the refill tube. It is a technique used to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. After your toilet flushes, some water is sent into the bowl with a delay. This is the water you see at the bottom of the toilet and is held by the refill tube during the flushing process. By ensuring sewer gases do not enter during a flush, you can effectively avoid having unpleasant smells in the bathroom.

Conclusion

The tank of your toilet holds water and allows you to flush debris after you use the toilet. There are numerous components that play important roles in the tank. Damage or a malfunction in any part can lead to problems with your toilet. Understanding the role of these parts can help you assess a situation and identify the fault. For professional toilet repair services in Metro Detroit, contact Waterwork Plumbing – we are the pros in the area and have significant experience in the plumbing industry.