Glossary of Terms

High Efficiency Toilet(HET):Â
Any toilet that averages or surpasses 1.28 gallons per flush

Water Control Valve:
Usually referred to as the "Ballcock". This is the valve that controls the water coming into the tank and turns on when flushed and off when the water is up to the "waterline" mark inside the tank.

Flush Valve:
This is the valve that contains the flapper and the overflow tube.

Flapper:
Mounted on the flush valve and keeps the water in the tank until flushed.

Trip Lever:
Located on the outside of the tank and is used to actuate the flush valve to initiate the flushing cycle. The chain or strap going from the handle assembly should have no more than 1/4" of slack to keep the flapper from closing prematurely.

Refill Tube:
Small diameter rubber hose that goes from the ballcock to the overflow tube. This hose supplies the water to the toilet bowl after flushing. There should be no "kinks" in this hose.

Rim Jet:
Holes under the rim of the toilet bowl that direct the water down the sides of the bowl during flushing and refill. Check periodically with a 6d nail or 10 guage wire to ensure they are not clogged with chemical deposits (hard water).

Seat:
The actual seat that you sit on.

Lid:
The removable top of the tank. The underside of the lid will usually contain the model number of the lid and the date of manufacture.

Tank:
Contains the water used to flush the toilet and refill the bowl. The model number and date of manufacture will normally be located on the inside back wall of the tank near the water line.

Water supply valve:
This is the valve located near the floor that supplies water to the ballcock/water control valve. This valve should be fully open at all times except for maintenance.

Bolt caps:
Decorative, color-coded caps that cover the bolts that hold the toilet bowl down to the floor.

Wax ring:
Located between the bowl and the floor flange to provide a water-tight connection to the soil drain (sewer).

One-piece vs. two-piece:
The one piece toilet is a self-contained unit whereas the two piece unit has a tank that is bolted to the bowl to form the complete toilet.

Rough-in:
The measurement from the "finished wall" to the center of the drain (center of the bolts holding the bowl down). This is normally 12" but can be special ordered in the 10" and 14" models.

ADA:
Stands for the American Disabilities Act and has become known as "Handicap" or "Comfort Fit" toilets.

1.6 GPF:
Maximum amount of water allowed by law in the United States to flush the toilet, or 1.6 gallons per flush. (Federal law since 1994).