Toilets without Tanks: How Do They Work? Do They Clog?

January 20, 2006 3:10 PM

PlumbingFilter: Help me understand my new tankless toilet with no shut-off valve. What do I do if it clogs?

In my new apartment, I have a toilet that doesn’t have a tank and has a forceful jet-like ‘ka-WHOOSH!’ flushing action, which seems in all ways identical to the toilets you see in office buildings and most outside-the-home venues.

Please tell me, or guide me to resources about, how this system works. (I must not be using the correct search terms, as my Google-fu fails me. I located information about the systems airlines use -- vacuum drainage systems -- but I don't think this is the same, given that airline systems are, to the best of my recollection, nearly waterless and require the lid be closed.)

I’m interested in a general comprehension of how a tankless toilet system works, but also specifically interested in whether it could clog and overflow in the same way a toilet with a tank could, given the same circumstances (too much toilet paper or … er … ahem … material).

If so, in such a circumstance, how could I prevent the major flooding and water damage without access to the water turn-off valve one sees with toilets with tanks? Or do these toilets operate in a way in which overflowing becomes less likely or impossible? Or, in such a case, would I just be screwed? (And if so, why would they create a system with such an obvious design flaw?)

posted by WCityMike to home & garden (6 comments total)

FAQ about Sloan Flushometers, which I believe is the name for what you describe. I didn't see anything in particular about flooding, but the extensive information in there may answer your questions.

2. What is the difference between the operation of a tank-type and a Flushometer closet?

In a tank-type water closet, the water used to flush the fixture accumulates in the storage tank before it flows by gravity into the fixture. In a Flushometer, water flows under pressure from the supply piping directly into the fixture. Because Flushometers are directly connected to supply lines, repeat operation is faster than the refilling process in tank-type toilets. The pressurized flush from a Flushometer also produces a more powerful, cleansing flush.
posted by VulcanMike at 4:03 PM on January 20, 2006

It's much less likely to clog than a conventional toilet. It has really great pressure. If flushed regularly, not allowing alot of paper to pile up in there, you will have no problems. I looked into getting something similar for here at home but they were in excess of 500 bucks. That's a nice rig you have there!
posted by snsranch at 5:15 PM on January 20, 2006

Unless your wc is a full blown commercial model such as in a public washroom,you toilet is called pressure assist (by your description).

They are pretty well the same as any other wc in regards to flooding as the volume is similar or less.These were designed to combat poor flushing characteristics endemic to the newer "low flush" wc's.They actually work quite well and most manufacturers offer models.

The only drawback's are that a LOT of plumbers do not know how to service them nor do they carry parts in stock,this is slowly changing.Technically they could flush in theory own but this is a very remote possibility.

If anything be happy in the fact your property managers installed these rather than the standard low flush versions.I have actually had manufacturer reps tell clients of mine to "just keep a plunger around" on certain models because there is no solution other than changing the model!







P.S. It's my first post so I apologize if it is brutal in form.

http://www.flushmate.com/
posted by plumberonkarst at 5:18 PM on January 20, 2006

You saved your first post for... (looks at username)... oh.
posted by anthill at 7:37 PM on January 20, 2006

PlumberOnKorst, the link you gave me — the toilets seem to have tanks?
posted by WCityMike at 1:33 PM on January 21, 2006

I'm relatively sure it's a Flushometer, judging from a Google Images search on flushometer. The diagrams are what it looks like.

Thanks, everyone. :)
posted by WCityMike at 1:38 PM on January 21, 2006