Low-Flow Lowdown
Contrary to popular myth, plumber Thomas Crapper did not invent the flush toilet. One of his contemporaries, though, did create the first toilet that prevented sewer gases from entering the home. Englishman Joseph Adamson’s 1853 design — the siphon flush — eventually made obsolete both the chamber pot and the outhouse. Adamson’s invention, like all modern toilets, relies on the tendency of a moving liquid to continue flowing, even in defiance of gravity: The tank is kept full, and during a flush, the water rushes into the bowl, creating a surge over the weir (or dam). The flow stops when the bowl is empty, and the tank refills in preparation for the next flush.
Originally, tanks were placed high above the bowl to get water moving forcefully enough to clear the weir, but by 1915, narrower, smoother porcelain passageways allowed quieter, 5- to 7-gallon tanks to be mounted on the backs of bowls. The next giant leap in toilet technology came in 1994, when federal law restricted tanks to 1.6 gallons per flush, but to those who used the first generation of low-flow toilets, this leap seemed more of a stumble. “They often needed two flushes,” says This Old House plumbing and heating consultant Richard Trethewey. Manufacturers largely fixed that problem by further modifying the passageways to move a reduced amount of water more vigorously into the bowl.
Anatomy of a Low-Flow Toilet
FLUSH LEVER: Pulls the lift chain.
LIFT CHAIN: Opens the flapper. A chain float limits the flush to 1.6 gallons by closing the flapper when the tank has drained to a set level.
OVERFLOW TUBE: Protects against an accidental overfilling of the tank.
FLOAT: Shuts a valve on the supply line when the tank level reaches a predetermined depth.
FLAPPER: Releases tank water into the bowl. When released by the chain float, drops against the flush valve seat, sealing the tank so it can refill.
TRAP: Holds water in the bowl, blocking the entry of sewer gases, until the flow from the tank pushes the water over the weir.
SIPHON JET: Concentrates flow from the tank, jump-starting the siphoning effect.
RIM HOLES (not shown): Release water during the flush, cleaning the sides of the bowl.
You can easily integrate this water-saving fixture into your home. your Oklahoma City plumber can fill you in on the best low-flow toilet for your Oklahoma City home and can handle the installation of your low-flow toilet easily and efficiently.
Article Source: http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,213021,00.html
If you are looking for a professional Oklahoma City bathroom remodeling contractor, then please call us today at 405-802-7769 or complete our online request form.
A Word to the Water-Wise in Oklahoma City
The basic idea behind water-saving devices is to restrict water consumption rates where heaviest use occurs. Indoor Oklahoma City water usage runs at about 40 percent for toilets, 30 percent for baths and showers (more for baths), 15 percent for clothes washers and 15 percent for cooking and kitchen use.
TOILET WATER SAVERS
The first target for water conservation is the toilet. A number of devices are designed to reduce the amount of water used to flush a conventional toilet.
One such device is a dual-flush mechanism that allows about one-half tank flush for liquid waste by depressing the tank lever handle in the normal manner and full-tank flush for solid waste by depressing the lever and holding it down. These devices can save from 40 to 50 percent of normal water consumption.
There are also water-saving toilets that have smaller holding tanks and use less water to flush.
Leaks in the toilet tank can also be a source of excess water usage. These are usually due to worn out parts. Leaks can be detected by adding dark food coloring to the tank and checking about 20 minutes later to see if the toilet bowl water has turned the same color.
SHOWERS AND BATHS
Showers and baths are the next target for water saving. The most common devices are flow-control valves, flow restrictors and aerators that can be added to existing fixtures. New showerheads can also be installed that feature water-saving capabilities.
There is a distinct difference between a flow-control valve and a flow restrictor. The flow-control valve restricts the flow of water to about 2.75 gals. per minute, automatically making adjustments for water-pressure changes.
A flow restrictor does not make an automatic adjustment if the pressure changes. Therefore, more water is used as the pressure increases.
Some of these devices have manual controls to adjust water flow from flood to shutoff. Many include a weep to help prevent back pressure in the pipes.
Many of these showerheads also have manual controls to adjust the amount of water flow so less water can be used for soaping and more for rinsing.
These devices help restrict the flow of water from a typical rate of seven gals. per minute to about two to three gals.
FAUCETS
The third target for water saving around your Oklahoma City home is the bathroom and kitchen faucets. Like the shower or bathtub, water is consumed at the rate of about 7 gals. per minute. A restrictor (or aerator) can reduce the flow to 2- to 3- gals. Per minute.
There are models which automatically adjust the flow to 2- to 3- gals. per minute. There are models which automatically adjust the flow rate according to water-pressure changes and other models which do not make automatic compensations. Some have manual controls for the Oklahoma City homeowner to preset the amount of restriction.
Several states, such as New York and California, have code requirements on faucets and showerheads. Since these water-saving devices also control the proportion of hot water used, they have the additional selling point of being a fuel saver.
regardless of state mandated use of water saving devices, it is in your best interest to modify your water usage. Your Oklahoma City plumbing contractor knows the benefit of all these devices and can advise you as to which will be most beneficial in your case and will then gladly install any water saving plumbing fixture for you.
Article Source: http://www.acehardware.com/info/index.jsp?categoryId=1267597
