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Flush the toilet and wash your hands.
The toilet flush button can potentially be a source of germs and bacteria, as it is frequently touched by multiple people and not always cleaned regularly. However, other surfaces such as the toilet seat and tap handles may also be sources of germs.
It is important to practice good hygiene and regularly clean all surfaces in the bathroom to minimize the spread of germs.
The flush button, like any other surface, can potentially spread viruses if it is contaminated with the virus and then comes into contact with someone’s mouth, nose or eyes.
The corona virus experience showed us germs can survive on surfaces for varying periods of time, depending on the type of surface, the humidity and the temperature. Therefore, it is important to frequently clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces, such as the toilet flush buttons, to help prevent the spread of germs.
Practicing good hand hygiene, by washing your hands thoroughly and frequently, can also help prevent the spread of viruses.
Save water with a half flush toilet?
In April 2023 most toilets are designed to use less water, so they have a dual flush toilet cistern, which allows the user to choose between a full flush and a half flush.
Using the appropriate flush will help save water.
As we move into Winter, traditionally our dry season, rainfall is less and, water saving is still a thing.
With that in mind, we should use the half flush for liquid waste and the full flush for solid waste.
The full flush is typically used more often than the half flush, as it is designed to clear all waste from the toilet bowl.
Remember not to use the toilet as a rubbish bin. Flushing non-biodegradable items can cause blocked pipes and drains, and cause damage to the plumbing.
If your toilet flush isn’t working as it should it is wasting water and adding to your water bill.
A running toilet cistern sounds like a job for The Lone Drainer and Pronto.
Call us on 02 9664 4990
Click here to see the current water levels in the Greater Sydney Catchment area.
Should the Toilet seat be left Up or Down?
Our summer break allows time to ask some of the greater life questions.
And the Question of Toilet seat, Up or Down? is a big one.
Over salad sandwiches, I asked the Question, Why do Women want the toilet seat left down?
The reply was simple!
Leaving the toilet seat down is considered courteous and hygienic for women because it helps to prevent the toilet from splashing onto the seat or floor when it is used.
Additionally, it makes it easier for them to use the toilet without having to adjust the seat themselves.
Then I asked my audience, Can you give 3 reasons why men want the seat left up?
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To prevent falls: Men may prefer to leave the seat up to prevent accidental falls or slips when using the toilet in the middle of the night or in low-light conditions.
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Hygiene: Some men may prefer to leave the seat up to prevent the buildup of bacteria or germs on the seat.
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Ease of use: Men may prefer to leave the seat up because it makes it easier for them to use the toilet without having to adjust the seat themselves.
A few days later, I posed the same question, and got this reply.
For the ladies
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Leaving the toilet seat down can help prevent accidents and injuries by reducing the chance of falling or sitting on a wet seat.
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It can also help to keep the bathroom cleaner by reducing the likelihood of toilet water splashing onto the floor or seat.
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Lastly, it is often considered more hygienic for women as it makes it easier for them to use the toilet without having to adjust the seat themselves, avoiding any potential contact with germs.
Then the men
- Men may prefer to leave the toilet seat up because it is the default position, and they are used to it.
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A raised seat allows men to aim more effectively, reducing the likelihood of urine splash-back or misses.
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Leaving the seat up can also serve as a visual indicator that the toilet has been used, so that the next person to use it knows to lower the seat before using it.
It’s important to note that these preferences are not universal and may vary from person to person. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference.
What do you think?
How is water connected to my toilet cistern?
Many modern toilets have a concealed cistern. That’s the tank that holds the water that flushes the loo. Now, they do look fantastic and they do save water.
The small dual flush buttons are the access panel for the internal workings of the cistern. When they need maintenance, the only way to repair them is through that access panel.
The water tap is usually built into the wall and this one couldn’t be replaced without cutting into the wall behind.
How much will it cost to fix my toilet?
“Running toilet”…..Is all that was stated in an email earlier this week, along with the attached picture.
It’s hard to say from this picture, but I tried to help the writer by asking a few simple questions:
Is it a close coupled suite or are the pan and cistern separate?
Is it the inlet or outlet valve leaking?
Does the water turn off at the control valve?
Is the connection between the control valve and the cistern hard drawn tube or is it one of those flexible braided connections?
The outlet valve is redundant. It could be rewashered if that’s the problem, was part of my email response
The flushing toilet is a wonder of the modern world we can take for granted considering our previous post about 4.4 billion people not having a toilet.
But our local bathroom suppliers currently have 48 different types of toilet cisterns on display and that’s not including the antique in our picture. They all have different water connections and flushing mechanisms.
So please, help us help you by providing as much information as possible about your particular leaking toilet.
In the meantime, you can turn off the water and flush your loo with a bucket.
My toilet cistern is leaking #1
“My cistern is leaking into the toilet pan.”
If you press the Full and Half flush buttons and they don’t effectively clear the toilet bowl, that means, their isn’t enough water in the toilet cistern to do the job, or the buttons just don’t work, or the cistern just won’t refill or it’s slow to fill.
Then I know how to fix the toilet that won’t flush properly.
This pic shows the water inlet to the cistern and the outlet valve or flushing mechanism that sends the water into your toilet pan.
Either of the valves shown could be faulty.
If the inlet valve doesn’t shut-off, it will cause the cistern to overfill and spill into the overflow tube that will run down into the pan. You may need a new inlet valve.
If the outlet valve is leaking into the pan, the outlet valve may need to be replaced or re-washered.
Either of these valves leaking could be causing leaks into the pan.
If you’re not sure, just ask us.
Toilet won’t flush properly #1
My toilet won’t flush properly” is a common cry for help in our emergency plumbing business.
We then ask, Do you mean the dirty water won’t flush away?
If the answer is yes and it looks like this, then you have a blocked drain and you need a blocked drain expert quickly
However, if you press the Full and Half flush buttons and they don’t effectively clear the toilet bowl, that means, there isn’t enough water in the toilet cistern to do the job or the buttons just don’t work or the cistern just won’t refill or it’s slow to fill.
Then I know how to fix the toilet that won’t flush properly.
Spend a penny on a hot day
It’s hot in Sydney today; 30°C. With the forecast to be 38°C tomorrow Wednesday.
It’s uncomfortable!
We did all of our plumbing jobs earlier today, before it got too hot.
Interestingly, the average Sydney bathroom is a cool place to be on a hot day. The tiled floor and walls in the bathroom made it significantly cooler.
So, if you can, stay in the bathroom a little longer today. Sit a little longer and read this story of the landlord who put a coin operated flush button on his tenants WC cistern in an effort to “save water”. Now stay cooler longer and read about it here.
Funny, 10 days ago I was in Sheridan Montana and the temp was -29°C. I’m glad their bathroom was heated.