TOILET GLOSSARY
www.ToiletGlossary.com |
ADA: |
Americans
with Disabilities Act. A government criteria mandating how buildings
must be constructed in order to serve the needs of disabled people. |
BALLCOCK: |
A fill
valve device in a toilet tank. A "Cock" is activated by a float "Ball"
to refill tank water after a toilet is flushed. |
BIDET: |
A plumbing
fixture similar to a toilet bowl used for washing genitals and posterior
areas of the body. It is floor mounted, ususally next to a toilet,
and incorporates a washing basin, faucet and sprayer. |
CISTERN: |
An artifical
reservoir for storing water. A toilet tank. This term is usually used
in England. (Picture) |
CLOSE-COUPLED
(TOILET): |
A modern
style two-piece toilet which is configured of a separate tank and
bowl. The tank is "coupled" "closely" (directly) to the bowl by bolts
and a gasket. This term is to distinguish from old style low-tank
toilets where the tank mounted on the wall, above and behind the bowl
and was connected by a pipe called a flush ell. (Picture) |
COCK: |
A faucet
or valve for regulating the flow of water. See "Ballcock." |
COMMODE: |
An arcahic
style of toilet. "A box-like structure holding a chamber
pot under an open seat." Sometimes slang for "toilet". |
ELONGATED: |
The optional
shape of the front of some toilet bowls. About 2" longer than the
standard "round front" bowl. (Picture) |
FIXTURE: |
A broad
based term usually referring to sinks, tubs, toilets, basins, etc. |
FLUSH ELL: |
A 90 degree tubular pipe fitting which connects the tank outlet to the bowl inlet on a low-tank style toilet. |
GPF: |
Gallons
Per Flush. The amount of water by which toilet flush volume is measured
and regulated. |
HEAD: |
Nautical
slang for toilets on ships and boats. Derived from early sailing days
when defecation was done off the "head", or bow of the ship
so that splash water would rinse away the waste. |
HET: |
High-Efficiency Toilet. Toilets that flush using 1.28 gallons. |
HIGH-TANK
(TOILET): |
An antique
style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which
the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the
bowl by a flush pipe. (AKA, pull-chain toilet.) (Picture) |
LPF
: |
Liters
per flush. The amount of water by which toilet flush volume is
measured and regulated, in metric. |
LID: |
Toilet
tank lid. The removable top cover on a toilet's tank. AKA: Cover, top. (Picture) Also the top portion of a toilet seat, aka "cover." |
LOW-BOY
(TOILET): |
A slang
term for a toilet style in which the tank height is lower than normal.
Usually a one piece toilet. Occasionally a two piece toilet. |
LOW-TANK
(TOILET): |
An antique
style toilet in which the the tank is wall mounted slightly higher
than the bowl but lower than the older style high-tank toilets. Tank
water flows from the tank to the bowl via a flush ell. |
ONE-PIECE
(TOILET): |
An upgraded
style of toilet which is configured of an integral tank and bowl which
are formed as "one piece" during the manufacturing process. (Picture,
scroll to "Vouge" model) |
OPEN
FRONT: |
A style
of toilet seat rim where there is an open space about three inches
wide at the front. Considered more sanitary in commercial applications
where constant usage exceeds janitorial sanitation. |
PORCELAIN: |
A white
ceramic ware that consists of kalin, quartz and feldspar. It is fired
at high temperature on steel to make the surface of some bathtubs,
kitchen sinks and bathroom lavatories. |
POT: |
Slang
for toilet. Possibly derived from "chamber
pot". |
PULL-CHAIN
(TOILET): |
An antique
style of toilet configured with a separate tank and bowl in which
the tank is wall mounted above head height and is connected to the
bowl by a flush pipe. Due to the height of the tank location, a chain
is necessary to pull the trip lever to flush the toilet. (AKA, high-tank
toilet.) (Picture) |
PUSH
BUTTON: |
A style
of toilet tank flush actuator, different from the traditional trip-lever
style. |
RIM: |
The inside
edge of the perimeter of a toilet bowl. The lower portion of a toilet
seat. |
ROUND
FRONT: |
The standard
shape of the front of a toilet bowl. About 2" shorter than the optional
"elongated" bowl. (Picture) |
TRIP
LEVER: |
The flush
handle and actuating arm on a toilet tank. |
TWO-PIECE
(TOILET): |
A standard
style of toilet which is configured of a separate tank and bowl which
are connected. (Picture) |
ULF: |
Ultra
Low Flush . Designation for modern, water saving toilets. Toilets
using 1.6 gallons per flush, or less. |
UPC: |
Uniform
Plumbing Code. |
VITREOUS: |
A surface
material on some plumbing fixtures derived from or consisting of glass.
It is low in porosity and is translucent. |
VITREOUS
CHINA: |
A clay
material with a vitreous surface used to manufacture some plumbing
fixtures such as toilets and lavys. |
WATER
CLOSET: |
Toilet. (Picture) |
Need
to know another term? E-mail Gary: gary@tjader.com
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