Water closet (WC) also known as toilet is designed to collect human wastes (urine and feces).
The WC is a combination of a tank and a bowl. The tank holds the water used in flushing the waste in the bowl down the septic tank. The tank is refilled with water in a flush cycle. As the water in the tank is forced down to the bowl through the flush valve, the tank is refilled with fresh water through the fill valve. Most of the repairs on WC are done on the tank part.
Parts of A Water Closet
A water closet has two parts: tank and bowl.
Tank
The tank part consists of:
- Tank cover.
- Flush handle or flush button.
- Refill tube.
- Fill valve.
- Float: floating ball or floating cup.
- Overflow tube.
- Flush valve.
Bowl
The bowl part consists of:
- Seat cover.
- Seat.
- Rim.
- Rim holes.
- Trap.
- Base.
Fill Valve: This allows water to flow inside the tank after every flush. It has the floating ball types and the floating cup types.
Flush Valve: This allows water to be forced down the water closet bowl.
Overflow Tube: There is a standing overflow tube integrated within. The handle opens the flush valve thereby allowing water in tank to force down the bowl through the rim hole.
Common Problems With Water Closet
The problems that are common with water closets include:
- Constantwater running down the bowl.
- Toilet not flushing properly.
- Clogged toilet.
- Cracks on the toilet.
- Leaky toilet.
Cracks can occur on water closets:
- During manufacturing.
- During installation.
- When subjected to excessive force.
- Due to ageing.
- When subjected to extreme temperature.
A cracked WC will leak water away. An hairline crack on a water closet can be sealed by applying waterproof epoxy. When you notice a penetrating crack on the WC, such WC should be replaced.
In order to make savings on water bill, you can install low volume water closets that use less than 2 gallons of water per flush. Savings on water bill will also lead to savings on energy bill.
What to do to keep the toilet in a good working condition include:
- Regular inspection to ensure all parts and flushing mechanisms are functioning properly.
- Regular cleaning.
- The toilet should only be used to collect human wastes. Only human wastes and toilet papers should be flushed down the toilet.
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Kazeem Olugbade, ProFM, is a facility management professional who has extensive knowledge and skills in the subject areas.
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