Flush a British Toilet

British toilets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Many of the older ones, especially those found in turn-of-the-century homes and Bed and Breakfasts, require a little know-how in order to flush them. Similarly, the newer dual flush models can be a bit tricky.

Steps

Flushing a Toilet with a Lever

  1. Sit on the toilet and make your deposit. Though many countries have “squat style” toilets, British toilets are almost always designed for sitting. In this way, they are usually similar to other Western style toilets. [1]
  2. Throw your paper away. Use a trash can if it’s available. This is usually a sign that the toilet cannot accommodate much paper. If there is no trash can, throw the paper in the toilet. Be careful not to put in too much at a time. [2]
  3. Push down on the lever with your hand. Be sure that you push the lever as far down as it will go, but don’t hold it there for more than a second. Release it quickly after you feel it stop.
  4. Try again, if this didn’t work. If a single flush didn’t work, wait until the toilet refills itself, and try again. This time, try holding the lever at the bottom for a couple of seconds. Some older toilets require a bit longer for the water to fill up.

Flushing a Chain-Pull Toilet

  1. Do your business. Sit on the toilet, use it, and then dispose of your paper. Again, if there is a trash can close at hand, this may be the best place to dispose of your paper (at least until you and this particular toilet are old friends and you have a sense of how much it can accommodate).
  2. Look for the chain on the wall. Older British toilets often do not come with a lever. Instead, they have a chain, which is typically attached to the wall. [2]
  3. Pull the chain gently down. Don't pull too hard or you may snap the chain or lever at the top. If the water does not flow, or flows very slowly, you may need to try a quicker movement. Don’t pull hard; just increase your speed a bit. [2]
  4. Release the chain as soon as you hear or see water. The toilet will continue flushing. There is no need to hold the chain down, and this may cause the toilet to malfunction. [2]
    • Should the toilet keep on running for more than a few minutes, flush again, and this time release the tension of the chain gently. (On a properly functioning toilet, you should be able to just let go, but older toilets may be in disrepair.)[2]

Flushing a Dual Flush Toilet

  1. Sit down and accomplish your task. Dispose of your toilet paper. Dual flush toilets are usually of a more modern variety, so it’s probably okay to flush your toilet paper instead of throwing it in a trashcan. [3]
  2. Locate the buttons on the top of the toilet. Look for signs that show you which button is which. Some dual flush toilets have decals that tell you how much water each button offers. Others will have larger buttons for the larger flush and smaller buttons for the smaller flush. [4]
    • In some cases, dual flush toilets will have up-and-down levers instead of buttons. If this is the case, look for signs that tell you whether to pull the lever up or push it down (based on whether you have deposited liquids or solids). [5]
  3. Push the appropriate button. You’ll need the smaller flush for liquids and the larger flush for solids. Be sure to push the button firmly, as far as it will go, but don’t hold it down for more than a second. [6]
    • Dual flush toilets usually offer a .8 gallon flush and a 1.6 gallon flush. [5]

Tips

  • Before using an unfamiliar toilet, it’s a good idea to locate a plunger, just in case.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://strangedesign.typepad.com/strange_design/2012/06/how-to-use-a-western-toilet.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/health/toilet-tricks
  3. ↑ https://www.snwa.com/consv/indoor_toilets_high.html
  4. ↑ http://www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/dual-flush-toilets-shouldnt-be-crapshoot
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.supply.com/blog/featured-products/dual-flush-toilets-frequently-asked-questions/
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_0t4uSgV0
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