Recent reports suggest that millions of litres of water are being wasted every day due to failing WC cisterns and confusing flush buttons. Here, Glen Peters, Technical Support Manager at Viega, discusses the key issues surrounding the quality of materials and manufacture for WCs and how good design inherently improves water savings.
As a limited resource, making the best use of water is essential. Over the years product innovations in WCs have reduced water usage, and good dual flush options have contributed significantly to this by allowing lower water volumes to be used where appropriate.
However, there are two main concerns when it comes to water being lost from low quality WCs: products failing or not performing as intended, and confusing designs mean people unintentionally use more water than needed.
The loss of water is costing customers money, especially where homes are connected to a water meter. Recent reports suggest that where WC components have failed and begun leaking, it may double a household’s daily water usage. This is of course also a significant issue for public buildings and hospitality venues.
The importance of quality products
While there is nothing inherently wasteful about the design of the flushing ‘drop valve’ found in most WCs, its position below the waterline in the cistern means that it must seal effectively to prevent water escaping.
There are several factors that can contribute to the system not working as intended. This includes sub-standard valves that do not re-seat correctly after use, and seals that leak or fail after a relatively short period of time.
Poor manufacturing techniques can also lead to defects that will cause water to be wasted. Therefore, it is important to look carefully at the chosen product to ensure it has been designed and manufactured to a high standard and undergone rigorous testing. Viega’s Prevista cistern is manufactured as a single part using a blow moulding technique.
This ensures maximum leak-tightness and reliability by removing the need to join individual elements. In addition, each cistern is checked for leaks and its operation tested before it leaves the factory.
Furthermore, it is important for customers to understand that bathroom fittings, including all WCs, require a small amount of maintenance throughout the life of the system to ensure it continues working correctly.
This includes inspecting the filling and drain valves as well as removing any debris that may have inadvertently entered the cistern during installation. This can be made simpler with systems that provide easy access to the key components and allow the valves to be removed effortlessly for maintenance.
The benefit of good design
The design of the flush activation mechanism is also important in limiting water usage. Unfortunately, there are many flush buttons and plates that are designed in such a way that users cannot be sure how to activate the required flush – either full or partial. For example, the design may feature two button areas, one within the other, making it difficult to know which part to press.
This is a particular problem where the user is unfamiliar with the system, such as in public places and hotels. The unfortunate consequence to these ‘form over function’ designs mean that users will often activate a full flush when a lower volume is sufficient. It can also mean the short flush button is accidently pressed, requiring the WC to be flushed again, further wasting water.
Good dual action flush plate designs will have two buttons that are easy to discern, can be pressed individually and provide an indication of which is for each of the flush volumes. For example, many of our flush plates include two, clearly separated buttons that are sized differently so users can instinctively tell which to press, even when using it for the first time.
In addition to saving water, good quality flush plates also improve the user experience. Well designed and engineered products have lower activation pressures making them easier to operate for everyone, including children, older people, and those with disabilities.
A growing number of both domestic and commercial customers are looking to make more environmentally conscious choices. Therefore, although good quality systems will not be the cheapest on the market, explaining the benefits will convince many to make the investment. This includes the user benefits and water saving advantages, alongside the long-term cost savings that choosing a longer lasting system will provide.
The waste of a valuable resource such as water is a serious issue and dual flush WCs have a role in reducing its use. However, as with almost any product installed in a home, public building or commercial premises, it is important to select a system that has been well designed, manufactured to a high standard and thoroughly tested.
To find out more about the Viega range of pre-wall systems and flush plates visit: prevista.viega.com.
