Pressure-assist toilets are often used where flat, low-pitched drainage lines result in frequent clogging of standard gravity-assist toilets. They help ensure the removal and flow-through of waste into the sewer system in such cases. Pressure-assist toilets look like standard toilets except for the specialized pressure cartridges inside the toilet tank. These cartridges combine air and water pressure to produce a more powerful flush of water to the bowl and through the trap.
How does a Pressure-Assist Toilet Work?
It’s all about the air and water pressure that moves water during the flush. The special pressure cartridges inside the tank collect air when the toilet refills. This increases the flushing pressure within the tank to a point between 45 and 70 psi, depending on your existing water pressure.
The compressed air is released during a flush, forcing the water in the tank to move more rapidly through the bowl and the trap. The more forceful flow creates a suction action that breaks up solids moving through the trap, thereby preventing clogs.
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Can a Regular Toilet Be Converted to a Pressure-Assist Toilet?
Probably not, due to differing designs of the bowls for gravity-assist toilets and pressure-assist toilets. But if you think your bowl design may accommodate a pressure-assisted flow without over-splash, find the model number of your existing toilet (usually located inside the toilet tank, stamped into the backside) and conduct a simple internet search for pressure-assist retrofit kits for that model.
How to Select a Pressure-Assist Toilet
Many of the considerations in how to select a pressure-assist toilet are the same as for a standard gravity-assist toilet:
- Establish your preferred design and color.
- Ensure that the rough-in requirements of your existing toilet (usually either 10” or 12”) match the toilet rough-in specification of the model you are purchasing.
- Be sure your choices align with any water usage requirements in your area (per municipal or county codes, etc.). Pressure-assisted toilets are available in 1.6 GPF or less. Some have green plumbing design certification (AKA “green certification”) that uses even less water.
Installation and Repair Tips for a Pressure-Assist Toilet
Keeping these tips in mind will go a long way toward maintaining the effectiveness of your pressure-assist toilet:
- The typical connector at the fixture of a pressure-assist toilet is a 7/8" ballcock, no different than that of a standard gravity-assist toilet.
- Pressure-assisted toilets can wear over time, causing O-rings and gaskets to leak. If water is collecting on the outside of the pressure cartridge or pressure cylinders housed in the tank, repairs are likely needed. To purchase the correct replacement parts, refer to the manufacturer’s parts list or model number.
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When Replacing Components, How Can I Tell If They’ll All Work Together?
The tank, the pressure cartridges or cylinders within the tank, and the bowl must all work together for an efficient pressure flush system. But components of different brands will often look and work differently. So it is important to make sure you use correlating OEM components.
For example, not all pressure tanks look the same. OEM specified tanks correlate to your brand of pressure-assist toilet. Finding the original manufacturer number for your pressure-assist tank will help narrow your search to the correct replacement options. Some manufacturers ensure that all the model information you need is contained on a label positioned on or inside the tank. Within a given brand, all components will usually work well together but you can often get components of different brands to work together, such as an American Standard bowl or tank and a Flushmate pressure-assist system.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.