What You Need To Know About Your Flush Tank

Flush tanks, used to reserve water for flushing plumbing fixtures, are often seen on the backs of toilets. When the water inside is dispensed to the toilet bowl, the contents of the bowl are washed into the sewer or septic tank through the plumbing.

Basic Flush Tank Design

Flush tanks operate using a simple mechanism involving a flapper valve whose opening is connected to a floating ball, which is connected by a rod to the incoming water supply. When a lever is pushed to flush the toilet, the tank's drain valve opens, the water drains into the toilet, and the ballcock sinks with the water level, pulling open the incoming water supply. Once the tank's water has drained out, the flapper valve closes to allow the tank to refill. The incoming water supply continues pouring until the water in the tank reaches the set level, bringing the ball up to the surface and closing the incoming water supply at the same time.

Dual Flush Tanks

Dual flush tanks let users choose between two levels of water usage when flushing a toilet, saving water in areas where water is scarce or for ecological reasons. When less water is needed, only one of the two tanks empties into the bowl; for heavy-duty flushing, both tanks are emptied. In this way, individuals are able to use save water according to the needs of each occasion. Of course, the water capacity of each tank can still be adjusted, making dual flush doubly effective in water conservation.

Common Problems

Leakage is one of the most common problems to occur with flush tanks. As gaskets warp over time, they can lose their ability to seal water in, resulting in a slow drain of water into the tank. These are usually simple repairs, involving only a quick replacement of the appropriate parts. The sound of continuous running water is the usual sign that leakage is occurring.

Flush Tank Repair

1) To stop a constantly running flush tank, it's often necessary to turn off the tank's water supply first, using the shutoff valve on the piping below the tank.

2) After draining the flush tank, the damaged part can easily be replaced with an identical new one.

3) Although it's often possible for homeowners to take care of flush tank problems, it can also be tricky. Depending on the situation and toilet, it may be best to call a plumber.