Drain tank for toilet unit and repair: possible malfunctions, repair by one's own hands.

Plumbing equipment is an integral and necessary part of every home. From its serviceability depends the comfort of tenants. The most popular is a toilet, but it can function fully only with a drain tank. Due to various reasons, the latter quite often fails. About what damages are most often and how they can be eliminated will be described in this article.

Drain tank device

This device makes use of the toilet bowl comfortable and greatly facilitates life. By the pipeline system, water enters the tank of the tank. All of them are equipped with filling and draining modes. And the first serves to accumulate liquid in the tank at a fixed level. When the button is pressed or the lever is lifted, a drainage system is put in motion, which discharges water to flush the contents of the toilet bowl into the sewage system. Thus, the feature of the discharge tank operation is based. It is not enough to know the mechanism of work, it is necessary to get acquainted with the device of the tank itself. This will help to understand possible malfunctions and ways of their elimination.

So, it consists of:

The filling valve,   it regulates the level of the liquid in the tank, and when it decreases, it supplies the required amount to the tank. His role is performed by the float, the device is simple and ancient, but copes well with its duties. When recruiting water, the float moves vertically, unlike its predecessor (moving horizontally). Also, the filling valve closes immediately after filling, and not gradually as in obsolete models.

Drain and overflow system. In old designs, a rubber pear was installed, covering the drain hole. When you press the lever, it opens the way to the water that was flushing the toilet. Now the design is more complicated. This node is associated with drainage and overflow systems. In work it is given by pressing the button on the lid of the tank. And in modern conditions of water saving many manufacturers make a double key. Depending on the situation, you can flush the toilet with a smaller or larger volume of water. In addition, the drainage mechanism is equipped with an overflow system. It works as follows, when the tank is full, water does not flow from it, but leaves the sewer.
That's pretty simple arranged a drain tank. Now you can consider its individual nodes and faults associated with them in more detail.

Drain tank malfunction

All nodes of the drain tank are not permanent and at any time can become unusable.

Let's look at the main problems that most often occur:

1. The water flows. If you find water on the floor, it is most likely the cause of the poor mounting of the tank, namely the wear of the sealing ring between the toilet bowl and the tank itself, the damage to the gaskets with bolts for fastening. These defects are visible immediately upon inspection. Eliminate this problem by tightening the bolts, but you should do it neatly. Otherwise, you can split the toilet. You can also change all seals and gaskets. When changing them, joints can be treated with silicone, for greater reliability.
2. Water constantly flows into the toilet. The most common reason for this may be a skewed float. All work takes literally a couple of minutes and is limited to returning the float to the working position. Another reason is the failure of the seals of the drain valves. To eliminate it, you have to change the drain valve to a new one. The most serious cause may be the broken integrity of the float. In most models it is made of metal or plastic and absolutely hermetic. If, for some reason, water gets inside, it can not function properly. In this case, you will have to change the entire fluid delivery system. This is certainly more serious, but not terrible. If you are unsure of your abilities ask for help from professionals.
3. The tank fills with a noise. Tanks are equipped with special water silencers, which are a tube that feeds water to the bottom of the tank. Thus, extraneous sounds do not bother people. It is enough to see if the given tube is disconnected, and if so, just correct it.
4. Flush button does not work. The reason for this is the weakening of the chain, which connects the button itself with the drainage armature. To eliminate the breakdown, just pull up the chain.

As you could see, the most common failures are not so terrible, and with certain skills you can deal with them yourself.

Drain fittings for toilet bowl

The drainage armature is a complex mechanism consisting of several parts. Let us consider in more detail their types and principles of operation.

flush valve for toilet bowl

This device allows you to collect water in the tank and flush the toilet. In most cases, a float system is installed in the drain cisterns.

Such valves can be divided into several types:

• Croydon-valve   - includes the shell, the lever axis on the float, the saddle and the piston. The principle of operation is as follows, the lever moves the piston, in a perpendicular direction. Such an order of operation is typical for old tanks, which are out of production.
• Valve with piston   - works as follows, the lever moving horizontally drives the piston. The latter touching the saddle adjusts the flow of fluid entering the tank. This type of valve is most common.
• Valve with diaphragm   - differs from other systems by the presence of a membrane instead of a gasket. It can be made of rubber or silicone. It is displaced along with the piston and at the right moment blocks the access of water. This is a more modern valve device, which is equipped with new models.

We have considered valve models, it is preferable to choose models with a diaphragm or a piston. The first are more modern and reliable.

drain button for toilet bowl

The drain tank button is an integral part of the drain system.

There are two kinds of buttons:

• one regime - when draining down the entire volume of liquid in the tank tank;
• two modes - the button is divided into a large and a small part, each of which allows you to spend a certain amount of water (small to 5 liters, a large full volume of water).

And with the use of the tank with the second type of buttons, the family can save about 50 thousand liters of water per year. These are quite impressive volumes, taking into account the payments for the meters. Especially this model will be relevant for families with young children who often like to indulge.

Accessories for toilet bowl

In modern hardware stores quite a rich selection of all kinds of accessories for drainage containers. You can find both separate parts in the form of a drain valve or float, and complete sets of fixtures. Prices range from 100 to 1000 rubles. When choosing, pay attention to the country of production. It is best to give preference to German systems, they are more reliable, although they are more expensive. With a limited budget, you can also choose the fittings for the production of Poland. It is also of good quality and more affordable. Of course, quality is necessary, but also see that the purchased fittings come to your tank.

Repair the drain tank with your own hands, step by step

Consider the repair of the tank on the example of the most common breakdown, namely the failure of the intake valve.

Before starting work, you need to prepare the necessary tools:

• adjustable wrench;
• pliers;
• the screwdriver is flat and cross-shaped;
• rubber gaskets;
• sealant or silicone.

An intake valve fault is the most common cause of the tank failure. It is he who regulates the supply of water. It can be mounted on the side or in the lower part of the tank.

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:

• raise the float up to the stop;
• if the water does not flow, then change the height of its position by twisting the rod;
• shut off the water and clean the intake valve of the contaminants, you can use an old toothbrush for this;
• we check it in action.

If in the course of these actions it was possible to eliminate the breakdown, then all the work is completed. Otherwise, it is necessary to replace the inlet valve completely. It is not difficult to do this, just select the device suitable for the type of your tank and install it in place. For today on sale there are universal models which will approach to any type of a toilet bowl.

Helpful Tips

For the long operation of all systems, you must carefully monitor them. Regularly, once a couple of months, visually inspect the drain tank for leaks. Also it is possible to carry out preventive cleaning of all systems of a drain tank from a sediment which eventually accumulates on details. This will allow the drain tank to function well and long, and you will be spared from unforeseen expenses for repairs.

This article describes the principle of operation and the installation of a drain tank. The main breakdowns and ways of their elimination are given. Using the advice of the article, you can easily find the necessary components for repair suitable for both quality and price. Successful work.