The bowl of a flush toilet is a porcelain vessel with a built-in siphon. The main function of the toilet bowl is of flushing waste materials and preventing bad smells from emanating from the septic tank. However, its high rate of water consumption is sometimes seen as its disadvantage.

Overview of Toilet Bowls

When not in use the toilet bowl holds a small amount of water that forms an air trap inside the siphon pipe. This air trap inhibits the escape of foul air that originates at the culvert.

However, when the toilet is used, the liquid together with the waste matter flows slowly through the siphon pipe. The overflowing of the siphon pipe may cause alarm, but the flow volume is so less there is no such chance.

When the toilet is flushed, a large quantity of water quickly flows into the bowl. This creates a surge large enough and powerful enough to fill the siphon tube, causing the bowl to empty rapidly due to the weight of liquid in the tube.

Toilet Bowl Types

There are three main types of toilet bowls:

• The pear-shaped bowl consumes less space than a standard toilet. However, these bowls need at least 1-inch water supply for the flush valve to operate.
• The standard round-front bowls in its turn takes less space than an elongated one.
• Elongated (ovalish) bowls are popular for the comfort they afford.

Toilet Bowl Cleaning Instructions

• Use a toilet bowl cleaner and a toilet brush for effective cleaning.
• Remember to scrub below the rim of the bowl.
• Hard water areas need regular cleaning.
• Clean as deep into the trap as possible, this prevents the formation of mineral deposits.
• The outside of the bowl should be cleaned with a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant cleaner and a sponge or even a cloth will do.