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The Many Parts of a Toilet (3 Diagrams: Tank, Toilet & Plumbing)

A collage of different parts of bathroom.

When you become a homeowner or rent from a bad landlord, you eventually get a little familiar with the workings of a toilet. I know I’ve done some repairs.

The reason is sometimes there just isn’t time to wait for a plumber. You need to try and fix something immediately and so you bust out the toolbox and figure it out. Sometimes it gets fixed and other times it doesn’t.

Whether you’re renovating a bathroom, building a new one or simply installing a new toilet, it can be helpful to check out a detailed diagram that shows you all the parts of a toilet. Below is our extensive and detailed diagram setting out and labeling the tank, toilet bowl and plumbing followed by a description of all the parts.

Related: Top 15 Toilet Brands | Online Toilet Stores | Types of Toilet Fill Valves | Types of Toilet Seat | Types of Sink Shut Off Valves

Parts of a Toilet Diagram

Full Toilet View

Trip Lever: Metal bar connected to the toilet handle.

Tank Cover: Lid of the toilet tank.

Chain: Connects the Trip Level to the Flapper Valve.

Float Ball: Moves up and down along the toilet Fill Valve.

Refill Tube: Squirts water into the bowl after the flush.

Flapper Valve: This goes up when the toilet handle is pushed down and stops water from constantly flowing into the toilet bowl.

Flush Valve Gasket: Allows water to flow into the bowl when flushed.

Seat Cover: Placed on the seat as a protective barrier from possible germs resting on the seat.

Seat: The hinged unit attached to the bowl where user can sit.

Base: Bottom of the toilet.

Closet Bolt: Long screws that connect the flange to the toilet.

Closet Flange: Also known as Toilet Flange, a type of flange used to mount the toilet to the floor and connect the toilet drain to the drain pipe.

Shut-Off Valve: Also called as Stop Valve, it is used to shut off the water during emergency or repair.

Flexible Hose: Pipe used to transport water.

Fill Valve: Where the water flows from the supply line and refill the tank after flushing.

Ball Cock: Also called Balltap or Float Valve, it is used to fill water tanks and avoid overflow.

Toilet Handle: Tool used for flushing.

Toilet Cross-Section Diagram

Toilet Handle: Tool used for flushing.

Trip Lever: Metal bar connected to the toilet handle.

Float Rod: Horizontal rod connected to the Float Ball and Fill Valve.

Refill Tube: Squirts water into the bowl after the flush.

Float Ball: Moves up and down along the toilet Fill Valve.

Bowl: The open vessel under the toilet seat that can be flushed with water.

Overflow Pipe: Safety feature used to prevent water from exiting the toilet tank.

Rim Holes: The holes under the lip of the toilet seat.

Wax Ring: Ring of wax found between the flange and bottom of the toilet.

P-Trap Pipe: The U-shaped part of the pipe that holds water and prevents smelly gas from rising to the toilet.

Drain Pipe: Moves sewage and greywater to aid air flow and prevent clogging.

Flexible Hose: Pipe used to transport water.

Shut-Off Valve: Also called as Stop Valve, it is used to shut off the water during emergency or repair.

Flush Valve Gasket: Allows water to flow into the bowl when flushed.

Flapper Valve: This goes up when the toilet handle is pushed down and stops water from constantly flowing into the toilet bowl.

Fill Valve: Where the water flows from the supply line and refill the tank after flushing.

Ball Cock: Also called Balltap or Float Valve, it is used to fill water tanks and avoid overflow.

Tank Interior Illustration

Trip Lever: Metal bar connected to the toilet handle.

Toilet Handle: Tool used for flushing.

Float Rod Adjustment Screw: Device used to tighten or loosen the Float Rod.

Float Rod: Horizontal rod connected to the Float Ball and Fill Valve.

Refill Tube: Squirts water into the bowl after the flush.

Overflow Tube: Empties the water directly into the toilet bowl.

Float Ball: Moves up and down along the toilet Fill Valve.

Chain: Connects the Trip Level to the Flapper Valve.

Flapper Valve: This goes up when the toilet handle is pushed down and stops water from constantly flowing into the toilet bowl.

Flush Valve Gasket: Allows water to flow into the bowl when flushed.

Flexible Hose: Pipe used to transport water.

Shut-Off Valve: Also called as Stop Valve, it is used to shut off the water during emergency or repair.

Fill Valve: Where the water flows from the supply line and refill the tank after flushing.

Next: Check out the 21 different types of toilets you can buy.