toilet test?

MariaRita · 07-17-2005, 07:50 AM

So, my plumbing saga continues, I'm working my way back, next--the toilet. It's the original, I think. Is there a way to test it before I go to the trouble to completely hook it up? (I spent days getting the right fittings for my old water heater, only to find that it was kaput....)

Forgive me if this is already posted, I've using the search feature and couldn't find anything.....

Thanks!

Maria

uwe · 07-17-2005, 08:43 AM

A new toilet will have the same requirements for hookup as the old one, with the exception maybe of the fitting that connects the water line to the toilet's water input. So making the water available to the toilet wouldn't be such a waste of time and resources.

SafeHarbor · 07-17-2005, 03:17 PM

Hi, Maria,

Some of the toilets used in older Airstreams weren't, uh, elaborate. You may have one that sits right atop the tank with a slide valve in between. You may not even need to hook the toilet up if the shower sprayer is close enough to reach, fill the bowl, and add enough to flush. I think some of the trailers even relied on this approach.

TomW · 07-17-2005, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

A new toilet will have the same requirements for hookup as the old one, with the exception maybe of the fitting that connects the water line to the toilet's water input. So making the water available to the toilet wouldn't be such a waste of time and resources.

I found that the Sealand Traveller Lite I replaced my Thetford Aqua Magic Deluxe with preferred a modern day toilet flange.

Not saying that the old flange would not have worked, but it did not look like it had the same footprint for the gasket.

Moot point though because my old flange, being part metal & part ABS, was unusable in it's recovered condition.

Water connection was definitely different.

Tom

MariaRita · 07-22-2005, 05:41 AM

So, you mean that you use the toilet, then a slide door opens and water rinses the bowl (if you've got the fancy version)?

SafeHarbor · 07-22-2005, 06:27 PM

Hi, Maria,

That even happens with the (relatively) inexpensive ones. Does your toilet have a foot or hand lever on it?

Lamar

MariaRita · 07-25-2005, 08:47 AM

Foot lever.

SafeHarbor · 07-25-2005, 08:25 PM

Hi, MariaRita,

That sounds like one of the simple toilets. Is it made out of plastic, and does it show an open cavity when you step on the lever?

Lamar

MariaRita · 07-27-2005, 08:50 AM

Pressurized the system today and the 42-year-old toilet works like the day it was made! Amazing!

SafeHarbor · 07-27-2005, 06:51 PM

Hi, MariaRita,

That's great. I'd not keep the system pressurized while sleeping until you've verified the system integrity for a week or so. (I learned that the hard way.)

Lamar

MariaRita · 07-28-2005, 05:38 AM

Thanks for the heads-up! Is that because of the possibility of leaks?

SafeHarbor · 07-28-2005, 06:05 PM

Right! Poor connections, old repairs, and some good old field repairs don't fail the first day you turn on the water. They wait until you're good and asleep, but after the first one, you'll be listening even in your sleep, and that characteristic "piszooor" sound will jolt you up.

Lamar

MariaRita · 08-02-2005, 06:03 AM

Thanks! I did in fact spring a leak -- the only remaining connection I had made that Marko didn't re-do. I'm am definitely plumbing-challenged.

Dotti&Ditto · 08-12-2005, 09:50 AM

another question here, good folks. I have been connected to sewer for 3 months now and not rinsing my tank out at all. I have just been told that I will have to put liquid in my black water tank to get the solids cleaned out. I don't understand why it hasn't been all going on out. Do I need to go to a dump station now before I move?