Diaphragm Kits: Understanding Diaphragm Flushometers

If you’re looking for diaphragm kits for your toilet/urinal or perhaps you’ve heard about diaphragm flushometer technology and want to learn more about it, this article talks about diaphragms as well as piston flushometers that you can use for your high traffic restrooms.

Diaphragm flushometers are valves that control the water flow in toilets/urinals. They are typically used in commercial buildings and establishments where restroom usage is high because of their static sealing mechanism that’s built to withstand heavy usage.

Diaphragm flushometers function like an automatic valve or regulator for controlling the supply of water to toilet bowls/urinals.

It works by automatically opening the drain when it senses increased pressure, then closing again when the pressure drops below a predetermined level.

There is another kind of flushometer called a piston flushometer. To understand better, let’s first talk about flushometers.

What Is a Flushometer?
Designed to improve efficiency and save water, flushometers are devices that move the water into the bowl. Only, it’s typically called flush valves in residential settings and flushometers in commercial environments.

There are three things that make flushometers ideal in high traffic environments: efficiency, water quality, and water pressure.

Flushometers are known for their high efficiency that allows them to accommodate hundreds of thousands of users every single day. What's more is that even if you don't have a very high-traffic washroom as one may normally find in airports and stadiums, flushometers are still a great choice because of their water-saving features.

Also, in a restroom where water quality is questionable and there is a high water pressure, diaphragm flushometers are always the better option.

Two Kinds of Flushometers
There are two kinds of flushometers: piston flushometers and diaphragm flushometers.
●Piston flushometers are molded cup (or piston) valves between the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers

●Diaphragm flushometers are rubber diaphragm valves between the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers

When you flush the toilet, these valves are displaced, and when the pressure changes in the chamber, these valves that function as a separator between the high-pressure and low-pressure chambers, will release water.

So, the difference between these two types of flushometers is that one uses a molded cup (piston) to separate the lower and upper chambers, while the other uses a rubber diaphragm.

The other difference is that one is more suited for high-traffic restrooms. Let’s talk about that below.

Diaphragm and Diaphragm Kits
Diaphragm flushometers work well with high-traffic restrooms like those in airports, malls, and sports stadiums.

This is because they can recover fast and flush water again almost immediately after the previous one. You will need such a system in a restroom with continuous usage.

However, diaphragms may also be used in low-traffic restrooms, depending on other factors present.

Diaphragms (as well as piston valves) have various components and design features that control the rate at which the valve opens and shuts.

These parts also allow the valve to regulate the amount of water that flows to the fixture during operation. This is why, a diaphragm and a piston valve for that matter, can accurately deliver a metered amount of water at high or low water pressure and flow rate.

If you have a high-traffic restroom, you should definitely go with a diaphragm flushometer. If you have a low-traffic restroom, it’s best to talk to a professional plumber about which one is right for your plumbing setup.

Diaphragm Care and Maintenance
As with any product, regular maintenance extends the lifespan of the product. Replace flushometer parts regularly to maintain optimal function. Don't wait till your flushometer is no longer running. Replace routinely and at the slightest hint of problems.

How Long Do Diaphragms Last?
Flushometers last for a very long time. The valves, however, like diaphragms and pistons, need to be replaced often and regularly.

Flushometer products must pass an industry standard of 250,000 flushes. In a high-traffic restroom of about 4,000 flushes a month, this means the diaphragm and other parts will only have a lifespan of five years.

Aside from the number of flushes, your water quality also affects the condition of your flushometer and its longevity.

Poor water quality affects the efficiency and reliability of flushometers. Some factors that affect operations are cleanliness of the water, water treatment, low water pressure, water corrosiveness, chlorine concentration, and more.

So replacement and repair of diaphragms are normal, especially in restrooms with high usage volume.

Diaphragm Repair and Replacement
Aside from regular parts replacements, you should also replace your flushometers if they are showing signs like the following:
●It no longer flushes

●Flush will not stop

●Flush is too short

●Flush is too long

Where to Buy Diaphragm Kits
Quality Plumbing Supply carries diaphragms and diaphragm kits from all major flushometer manufacturers. Don’t wait till your flushometer no longer runs. Maintain your toilets regularly and replace broken parts immediately.

If you have more questions about diaphragms, get in touch with us and a representative from our office will help you with what you need.

Need more than diaphragms? Give us a call and we’ll help you find what you need. Quality Plumbing Supply has the plumbing products for all your projects, large or small.