Rules for selecting and adjusting the mechanism of flushing the toilet bowl

Every person used the system for draining water in the toilet at least once in his life. However, not everyone knows how it works. It is a mechanism that is mounted on the inside of the cistern. For complete comfort when using this sanitary device, you need to properly select, install and adjust the mechanism. All these nuances will be detailed below.

general characteristics

A double action drain system is characterized by: drain / overflow mechanisms connected in one device. The functionality of the water supply and discharge system is needed so that several parts work in an interconnected mode.

Different mechanisms look different, although it is safe to say that the difference between them is not very large.

We describe the standard equipment.

Bulk (intake) valves. They are the threaded pipe, which is inserted into the bottom of the tank or into its wall. The thread allows for close contact with the tank with nuts, which ensures that there are no leaks. Opening / closing for water set manages the locking mechanism, which is attached to the beam.
Yoke - This is a lever to activate the intake valve, they are adjusted. The free end of the rocker is secured, or provided with a float (a hollow plastic stopper), or a control valve. When the intake valve is triggered, or when the float pops up, the rocker arm rises, and the free clearance of the hydraulic valve is blocked.

Drain - in the normal position it is blocked by the valve / plug. The valve / plug is a flat or semicircular flexible plate that connects the joint of the hinge type with the main structure.
Located at the top push-button or lever mechanismoperating the drain valve. When it is used, with the help of traction lift the upper device (rods, or levers, or plastic frame are rods), and a passage for the flow opens.The pouring takes place with sufficient intensity to flush everything that is in the sink into the sewer pipes.

A different arrangement of these elements is allowed. Older models, equipped with old water-intake systems, equipped with overflow tracking and flushing systems controlled with lever / buttons, were installed as separate mechanisms. Today they are produced as a single complex. They are easier to install and maintain, but they are much more difficult to repair.

Device drain system

Drain tanks in their design is not very complicated. This is the usual water tanks, inside which is inserted a mechanical locking system.

How does such a system function:

controlled drain;
controlled as the tank is filled when the water is drained into the sewer;
stops the flow of water into the tank when a certain level is reached;

Functioning of the water tank filling mechanism:

Through the filling valve, which is located in the bottom of the tank or in its wall, water is drawn inside.
The process of rising water level in the tank is monitored by safety and control mechanisms (float, valve).When water reaches a certain level in the tank, it stops flowing because the bulk valve is blocked.

Functioning of the water tank drain device:

If you need to drain the water, you should press the button at the top of the tank or pull the chain - depending on the device. So, the hydraulic valve in the bottom will open and the water will flow.
Exactly according to the same principle, devices operate where two buttons are provided. If you press a small, a small amount of water is released, and when you press a large, the tank is completely empty. Two-button mechanisms are more economical, they help to regulate the amount of draining liquid, so almost all modern models are equipped with a similar device.
When water is released, its level becomes lower, and control mechanisms are activated to automatically open the hydraulic inlet valve.

It can be said that according to a similar principle, any picking and lowering sanitary system functions, and it does not depend on its complexity. Of course, there are small details, but with an understanding of the general principle of operation, it will be easy to install or quickly repair an unfamiliar system, to fix the breakage.

Selection features

In order to use the toilet comfortably, one of the important points is to have a comfortable drain, so you need to carefully select the plumbing models.

There are factors that deserve special attention.

The filling valve provides two options for placement:

Below - the location of the nozzle in the bottom of the water tank. In this case, tightness is very important. Two gaskets are responsible for it.
Sideways - the pipes and valves lead into the tank through the side wall, the hole is located almost on the upper edge of the wall. This passage is conditionally sealed, since the maximum water level, as a rule, does not reach it.

Lateral connection

Considering all the “pros and cons” of connection options, we recommend options with a water connection from below, since it is more efficient and comfortable. It creates less noise when the tank is filled. For the same purpose, anti-splash systems are used, their shut-off valves are more reliable in operation.

The disadvantage of such a connection can be called the presence of gaskets, since their impaired tightness will immediately entail the most dire consequences.

Vintage plumbing using levers or a sample chain "a la Tips".

Plumbing equipment, which was used during Soviet times, was equipped with a lever to which a chain or string was attached. Today, modern plumbing can be found similarly to plumbing equipment, in the style of "old."
The button is a universal solution in any system. The advantage can be called a short stroke and the ability to control the volume of liquid drained.
In a dual-mode tank, a two-button option is used, respectively. One is made responsible for the discharge of certain volumes, and the second - for ensuring that the tank is released completely. Such systems save water, but at the same time, its configuration and repair are more complex.

Push-button systems of toilet bowls working in two modes can be one-button or two-button. You can pay attention to the types of mechanisms that provide control overflow.

There is a much wider variety of options, but for simplicity, we will focus on the following classification:

The simplest types of hydrovalve types are float.The float system can be characterized as follows - the control of the shut-off valve is carried out using a rocker arm / balancer, or levers that are connected to the float.
The membrane system can be characterized as follows: when the tank is filled, the membrane is subjected to water pressure, and it, in turn, uses the locking device. Nowadays, the popularity of plumbing with membrane-type devices is growing, but more and more they are beginning to be recommended to refuse in favor of lever systems.

Analysis of the technical characteristics and features of operation gives the following information:

The membranes break down suddenly, and it is not always possible to guess this moment, at some point the overflow blocking just happens. If there is good sound insulation in the bathroom, it is too late to hear the murmuring sounds of water poured on the floor, and the consequences can be extremely dire.
If the mechanism fails, it will be problematic to repair it, even if there is a spare membrane. Also, it takes a lot of time to adjust the mechanism after the membrane has been replaced.And even this is not a 100% guarantee of a clear response of the membrane valve.

With such a breakdown, it is possible to consider the optimal output to replace not the membrane, but the entire system at once, at least for a simple float type.

Installation

When one or another leads to the need to replace the drain fittings on their own, this is quite realistic.

Work should be in accordance with the algorithm.

Purchased filling corresponding to the connectors of the existing tank. A very important parameter will be where the inlets are located (top, side), their dimensions, different diameter of the outlet for draining and overall dimensions. It would be ideal if the names of the company-manufacturer of toilet bowls and the fillings for the cistern match.
Water overlaps, removes all liquid remaining in the tank.

The drain button is recessed, the locking ring is carefully unscrewed. Now we can disassemble the tank cover.
Water hose is disconnected.
The nut that secures the nozzle is unscrewed and removed.
When the option with a vertical connection from the bottom is implemented, it is recommended to place a jar under the hole where the residues that have not leaked out when draining are drained.

All the “stuffing” is removed, it should be removed.
The fasteners are unscrewed, with which the tank is fastened, it is dismantled. The bottom of the spillway device is removed along with gaskets to seal the joint.

When dismantling is complete, the inside surfaces in the tank and the cup openings are wiped to remove plaque. At the same time, they clean the canals of the sides of the bowl, which provide drainage. During operation, such places are not available, but here it is possible to carry out prevention.

Of course, it is necessary to perform the reverse sequence of actions for re-installing the mechanism:

Install the bottom of the drain system in the hole, not forgetting the sealing gaskets.
Reinstall the water tank, align and secure with the fixing bolts. Low quality fasteners usually rust, so all rusty parts are recommended.
The installation of the “filling” of the drain device should be completed by fixing it in the drain hole.
Insert the water-filled valve into the side wall, and fix it with nuts and elastics.

Connect the water supply to the discharge nozzle of the hydraulic valve of the filling. Turn on the water for and test the operation.
Adjust if there is a need to adjust the level of the overflow height (approximately 2 cm below the level of the upper opening) and the rod that connects the drain device and the buttons.
With proper functioning of all systems and in the absence of a leak, you can proceed to the installation of the cover. Fix it by tightening the bezel of the buttons.

The existing design differences of the tank variants and their “fillings” cause small deviations from the algorithm, although almost all the tanks are designed according to similar schemes, therefore, the tank fittings are mounted this way.

Exceptions can be made for built-in models of toilet bowls, which have a tank located inside the wall in a sliding niche.

Therefore, in the presence of such a device in the apartment is not recommended to engage in self-repair, and entrust this complex operation to specialists.

Service

Armature for a cistern is inexpensive. In spite of this, they sometimes get by with simple repair measures instead of buying it, or they acquire some separate parts, and only then they change them themselves.

If a malfunction appears, open the tank, get access to the internal mechanism and look at the reason for the breakdown.Even with a superficial acquaintance with the system, then to understand the reasons, just a few sinks or sets of water in the tank.

To quickly diagnose and fix the problem, read the table.

Malfunction	Actions
No overflow control triggered	Most often - twisted yoke or flexible lever that holds the float. When the skew is eliminated, the movement of the float along the normal path is restored, the system is restored to working condition. Diaphragm models can leave the valve in the open position, even if the rocker is in its extreme upper position. In the presence of such a defect, it is necessary to adjust the membrane or replace it. Another reason may be damage to the float in violation of its tightness - water gets into it. In this case, the water is temporarily drained, and the site of damage to the float body is poured with a moisture-resistant sealant. Most likely, with such damage will soon have to do the replacement of the float. With a disastrous result after all these actions, the problem is most likely in the intake valve itself, and it will have to be changed entirely.
Leakage valve leaks	Occurs, as a rule, if the sealing rubber is worn. If the leak is small, and the gasket is relatively new, you can fix the problem by tightening the fastening nut. If it is impossible to further tighten, you will need to remove the water from the tank, disassemble the valve and replace the gasket, which ensures the tightness of connection to the tank.
Breakage of the button that drains the water (does not return to its original position)	The most common cause is a skewed lever that connects a button and a drain valve. When the skew is removed, the mechanism begins to function correctly. Another common cause is the breakdown of some plastic parts. To eliminate the malfunction in this case it is necessary to change the drain mechanism entirely. When the tank is used for the first time, the reason for this situation is an incorrectly adjusted system. To resolve this problem, you must install and fix the drain cup at the desired height level, which corresponds to the level of the tank height.
When the drain tank is filled, there is a weak water pressure	Under normal pressure of the plumbing system, it is necessary to dismantle the supply water hose and clean it, remove the obstacles blocking the hole. If you can not clean the hose, you will have to purchase a new one and replace it. If cleaning the problem was not resolved, inspect the intake valve. To do this, you must force the maximum opening of the inlet valve and check its capacity. If necessary, you can adjust the overflow system, clean the internal valve chamber or replace it completely.

Useful recommendations

From time to time the water level of the tank has to be adjusted for various reasons: if it is constantly leaking, or in order to save, or to increase the power of the flush.

To achieve this, it is necessary to take a series of measures.

Older systems, carried out a side water inlet and used the usual thick metal wire as a lever (to connect the valve and the float). To change the level of the float in them, in order to block the water inlet opening with the membrane, it is enough to bend it.When bent up, the amount of water that is required to close the valve increases, respectively, knocking it down - it decreases.

Modern systems in which the lateral supply is realized, as a lever, it is not the wire that is involved, but a plastic rod, and of course it does not bend. The required amount of water in the tank is achieved by adjusting the position of the float. This part is secured with a threaded connection or latches, which must be released to move the float. To increase the volume, you need to move it toward the valve body to reduce the length of the lever.

Systems in which the lower supply of water is implemented, the adjustment is performed more simply. It is necessary that plastic traction, which limits the amount of water, connecting the lever and the float is longer or shorter. As standard, the stopper is equipped with a thread for fixing the float, and a standard plastic nut is used to adjust the height of the level.

To learn how to adjust the valve in the cistern, see the video below.