Are you considering a full or partial bathroom renovation? One of the best ways to upgrade your bathroom is to install a new toilet. With that, you get to choose the type of toilet tank flush system you want.
The outer toilet tanks themselves are pretty universal, but the flushing system inside the tank is what you can change out. We’re going to take a closer look at the differences between 5 common toilet tank flushing systems below:
- Gravity flush systems
- Single flush systems
- Dual flush systems
- Pressure-assisted flush systems
- Tornado flush systems
1) Gravity Flush System
The most popular type of flushing system is the gravity flush system. In fact, most other flushing systems borrow from its design. This tank system uses the natural force of gravity to help flush a toilet.
It’s controlled by a flush handle that opens and closes the tank’s valve. When you press down on the flush handle, it flips a lever that allows water to flow from the tank to the bowl. The water fills the bowl halfway at one gallon per flush.
The flushing system follows these steps:
- Water flows from the tank that’s mounted on top of the bowl to the bowl via gravity.
- The gravity creates a force inside the bowl that causes the toilet trap to draw out the waste.
- When water fills inside the toilet bowl, the pressure inside the bowl becomes higher than the pressure in the trap and drainpipe. Then, the water and waste are sucked into the drainpipe and to the sewer lines.
2) Single Flush System
Single flushing systems are an off-shoot of gravity systems. In these systems, every flush dispenses the same amount of water.
Single-flush toilets utilize a lever system for a full flush. The toilet handle connects to a lever that lifts a chain when pushed. This movement raises a flapper valve at the bottom of the tank that allows the water to pass through the bowl. The water flowing out of the jets in the bowl pushes the waste through the trap and into the sewer.
Single-flush gravity systems are what you see in most homes and public restrooms.
3) Dual Flush System
Dual flush systems are quickly growing in popularity because they help conserve water usage. These systems allow for two types of flushing in the same toilet.
- The first type of flush is a partial flush that uses half the water of a normal flush. This type of flush can be used for liquid waste.
- The second type is a regular full flush that uses the standard amount of water used in a gravity system. This should be used for solid waste.
These tank systems usually feature two different buttons on the top of the tank. The larger of the two is for a full flush, while the smaller button is for a partial flush.
4) Pressure-Assisted Flush System
When you combine gravity with compressed air, you get a pressure-assisted flush system. These systems are beneficial when normal gravity systems aren’t strong enough to empty the tank— like in the case of flush and rear discharge toilets.
This system works by combining the water supply line with air pressure-assisted air in a secondary tank within the main tank. The extra pressure makes for a stronger flush.
Be aware that these flushes are louder than normal toilets! However, they are more powerful and use less water than standard gravity toilets.
5) Tornado Flush System (Toto Brand)
Toto is one of the best toilet brands on the market. They make standard single-flush toilets as well as smart toilets and bidet combos. They originally invented the Double-Cyclone system with two nozzles under the toilet seat lid. These nozzles create a vortex of flushing to save water and clean the bowl at the same time.
The brand took it a step further and also invented the Tornado system, which is the same as the Double-Cyclone except that there are three jets instead of two. The Tornado system offers a more quiet flush while cleaning the bowl.
Which Toilet Tank System Should You Choose?
If you’re upgrading a bathroom in your home, you can’t go wrong with a single-flush or dual-flush gravity system. Since single-flush tank systems are the most popular, nothing will stick out like a sore thumb.
If you’re looking for a more advanced way to save water and lower your utility bills, consider a dual-flush system or a Tornado system from Toto.
You can also opt for a smart toilet or a bidet-toilet combo if you’re looking to make your bathroom more high-tech. But at the end of the day, no one will notice if you just have a clean, simple single-flush toilet.
Some things to consider before making a decision on which type of flushing system you want include:
- Upfront cost
- Maintenance needs
- How easy it is to clean
- How quiet or loud the flush is
- The current plumbing capabilities in your house
- How much water savings you want
No Matter What You Choose, You Need a Reliable Plumber!
We hope this guide gave you a good introductory understanding of different toilet tank flushing systems. Regardless of which flushing system you go with, you’re going to need to partner with an experienced plumber.
Here at Paladin Plumbing, we’ve been serving the Twin Cities area for over a decade. Not only can we properly replace or install a new toilet, but we will also provide our professional perspectives and education so that you can make an informed decision for your home.
Our team is able to install any toilet model you wish— feel free to ask for guidance if you’re not sure where to start! Reach out to the Paladin team today for a free consultation.
