I never fully understood how a simple flush of a few litres of water sends all my poop and toilet paper to the sewers. If the main drain is in the basement 10 feet below the surface, does that mean the sewer lies further below the surface? I would love to see a video on what actually happens when you flush the toilet. TIA.
In: 2
All plumbing requires a certain amount of downward slope to allow things to naturally flow. When you flush the toilet, you actually use quite a bit of water, contrary to what people might suggest. This is enough water to get stuff out to the street where the sewer main is without much issue.
It just flushes into a pipe into the sewer. It’s not particularly complicated, aside from the P-trap (U-bend) on the pipe that keeps the sewer odors from entering your home.
Water from the toilet tank enters the toilet bowl and pushes downward on the waste and stagnant toilet water. This is then pushed through the P-trap and into the main drain line, where it empties into the sewer. The following (clean) water from the toilet tank settles into the toilet bowl and the P-trap, keeping the smell away and being ready to receive your next excretion.
If downward slope doesn’t exist, then they have what are called lift stations. Big tanks with pumps to pump the sewage up high enough so it can then continue on its way to treatment plant.
Latest Answers