Toilet tanks and toilet bowls are usually two separate parts that become attached upon installation.
Aone-piece toiletis one where the toilet tank and bowl are integrated as a single unit.
Tip
Empty the water first whenever working on the inside of the toilet tank.
The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi
Do so by turning off the water supply valve, which is located near the floor.
Then,flush the toilet.
They lift the toilet flapper to release water into the toilet bowl.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
One end of the metal or plastic lift wire is attached to the back of the toilet handle.
The other end of the lift wire is attached to the stainless steel toilet chain.
The toilet flapper covers the outlet at the bottom of the tank.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Toilet fill valves replace the older toilet float or ballcock (a buoyant ball on a lever).
The toilet float is responsible for managing the water level in the toilet tank.
Toilet floats are generally not found on newer toilets, which use a refill valve instead.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The overflow tube moves water from the tank to the toilet bowl to prevent water in thetank from overflowing.
The overflow tube helps fill the bowl to the proper level for the next flush.
Water runs through the flexible short braided metal or polymer 3/8-inch from the valve to the toilet.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The water supply line starts at this valve and ends at the bottom of the toilet tank.
Most bowls are made of vitreous china, a waterproof material that resists staining well.
An internal trap holds fresh water to seal against sewer gasses entering the bathroom.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Use a bell-shapedtoilet plungerwith a fold-out flap at the end.
The O-ring seal is located between the bottom of the toilet tank and the top of the toilet bowl.
The toilet wax seal is located between the bottom of the toilet bowl and the floor flange.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Sometimes, this seal is a donut-shaped part made from silicone.
Extra-thick wax rings can help provide a tighter seal when there are height issues.
Try fixing any spacing problems withtoilet flangeextenders before using thicker wax rings.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The flange is located between the floor and the bottom of the toilet bowl.
The flange is attached to the floor with screws, and the toilet attaches to the flange with T-bolts.
The two main parts of the toilet are the tank and the bowl.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Older toilets have a floating ballcock.
Key parts of the toilet bowl include the O-ring seal, wax or silicone seal, and floor flange.
The handle and flush rod assembly is also a main component.
Getty Images
A clogged toilet bowl is the mostcommon toilet problem.
Other common toilet repairs include a loose lid and a lift chain that needs adjusting.
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
