Tankless Discharge - Drukspühler

2023 Author: Douglas Hoggarth | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:23

Okay, if you only had to choose the color or, say, the style of the toilet. But you still need to decide which model to buy. Or, say, which collection to choose from? But the fact that we will need to correctly determine what option is needed to drain in the tank, we never imagined this at all. In any case, even ten years ago they had no idea about it.

Today we go shopping with you and learn with amazement how many different accessories there are in the world. For example, plumbing manufacturers have invented such an interesting contraption - a cisternless flush system. Its name speaks for itself - there is no tank at all. It is clear that fair questions arise: "Where will the water flow from and how, I beg your pardon, will everything drain into the sewer?" But this system, called the word "drukshpyuler", which is funny to our Russian ear, will be. In fact, there is nothing funny in this word. Translated from German, it means push trigger.

It is clear that a flush-free flush system, like a wall-mounted cistern, is needed in order to drain water into the toilet. Just like wall-mounted cisterns, the cisternless system is suitable for wall-hung and floor-standing toilets. But this is the only point on which these two devices are related. All. Then the differences begin. For example, wall cisterns, as we told you last time, are hidden in the wall. And nothing else. And "drukspüler" can be installed in three versions: embedded in the wall, hidden behind a partition or suspended from the wall outside.

We with partiality asked the managers of companies offering us a tankless drainage system. We were mainly interested in: what do we need this construction for? There is also a wonderful built-in tank, so why "reinvent the wheel"? They categorically disagreed with us. It turns out that the firms that sell tankless systems have a lot of clients. Drukspühlers are especially popular among builders at large facilities - theaters, stadiums, nightclubs.

Who are they, the sellers of our tankless happiness? So far, only two companies have ventured to bring their products to the Russian market: Schell, the official distributor of Concept - German sanitary ware, and the German company Grohe.

What does it look like?

What does a Drukspühler look like? Very simple. If this is a “wall-mounted” model, then only a flush button-key hangs on the wall above the toilet. There are no other signs of a flushing device outside. Moreover, the designers of the Grohe company have made absolutely the same drain buttons for the wall-mounted cisterns and for the Drukspühler. Shell buttons are completely different in design. But this is not a drawback of some and a merit of others - the designers of Grohe just wanted it so. This does not affect the quality of the device. In this "wall" design of the "Drukspühler", the pipe coming from the riser (water flows through it) is led to the body of the flushing device on the right or left. Done. No more details. Now you can sit down on the toilet, make yourself comfortable. And having done all the work, just press the button, the rest will be done by our "drukspüler".

The external flush system, of course, looks different. A small diameter tube 50–60 cm high departs from the toilet bowl, the upper part of which has a cylindrical shape. This brass cylinder is the body of the flush itself. It is on it that the drain button is located. Another tubing goes perpendicular to the system. This tube goes through the wall or partition (if there is a partition) into the "jungle" of the wall space and is brought to the riser.

What's inside him?

Inside the body of the flushing device there are so-called "actuators", which, in fact, carry out the flushing procedure. For example, a cartridge that divides a cylinder into two compartments - an upper and a lower one. In this case, the cartridge, when the release button is pressed, also creates a pressure difference in these compartments. And there is also a partition (membrane) with a small hole between the compartments, through which the pressure is gradually equalized. And while it levels out, water from the mains flows into the toilet. When the pressure is finally equalized, the return spring in the cartridge closes the valve, and the water stops flowing. The cartridge is designed in such a way that while the valve is open, the required 6 liters of water are poured into the toilet. In other words, the valve closes exactly as long as 6 liters of water flow down. Here is such a "drukspüler".

1 - Push button (push) 2 - Adjusting screw 3 - Auxiliary valve 4 - Spring 5 - Pressure equalization hole 6 - Main valve 7 - Drain pipe (to the toilet)

Move on. A not very long pipe is diverted from the cold water riser, the diameter of which must be at least 3/4 inch (an inch is the conventional size adopted by European and domestic plumbers, which corresponds to about 2.5 cm. Consequently, 3/4 inch is 20 mm). One end of this pipe comes out of the riser, and the other abuts directly against the body of the flushing device. There is a thread at the end of the pipe, onto which the body (cylinder) of the flushing device is subsequently screwed. As you can see, there are no difficulties, just like everything is ingenious.

Which Drukspühler is better?

Shell Druckspühler can be chrome plated …

As I said, the flush system can be both built-in and external. The firms told me that there is practically no big difference in terms of quality. And the final choice is yours. It can only be influenced by your taste and, of course, the price.

The most elementary is the external "Drukspühler". Even more than a wall-mounted cistern, this system will save space in our less spacious toilets. In addition, its installation will take almost no time or effort. All you need to do is grind the wall, that is, make a hole in it, insert a pipe into it, brought one end to the riser, and hang the flushing device. And that's all.

… Or maybe colored

At the firms I was told that at first many buyers were afraid to order such a "Drukspühler". For some reason, it was believed that, they say, the design looks ugly. “Why are you suggesting some kind of stupidity to me! - one citizen was excited. - Well, think for yourself, is it beautiful - next to my Jacuzzi there will be a toilet (or hang), and a pipe sticks out of it. What disgusting!"

This, you know, depends on which pipe. That's right, if in the middle of the renovation there will be such a rusty fool that at one time stood in public street toilets, then yes - it really is not impressive. Here is a completely different picture: a very small, neat, fashionable design pipe is on display. For me, it's just lovely. By the way, that lady bought the Drukspühler and is happy.

But if you still do not want the "pipe to stick out" - please choose the built-in cisternless flush system. As a rule, it is preferred in several cases. For example, when there is nowhere to build the tank. Or if you don't want to mess around and erect a false wall (where, in fact, they hide the tank), and you want to hang the toilet. Let us repeat - it is impossible to combine an ordinary ceramic tank and a wall-hung toilet. The situation will be saved only by the built-in "drukspüler".

Drain button for the built-in Shell Druckspühler (left), External Druckspühler (right)

Installation will take no more time than installing the frame of a wall-mounted cistern. True, you have to tinker. To begin with, builders have to hollow out a square niche in the wall measuring 20 x 20 cm and a depth of 8 cm. You also need to hollow out a hollow for the pipe. When the "drukspüler" falls into place (into the niche), everything is closed up so that it is the same as before. All work for about half an hour, but then - a long and beautiful life without problems with the "drukspühler".

Yes, I forgot to say. Then two pins are driven into the wall, on which the toilet is suspended. By the way, both Grohe and Shell produce special frames for hanging toilet bowls. Only instead of a tank, this frame has a hole for a Drukspühler.

About the pros and cons

But let's be honest. The cisternless flush system has a number of undeniable advantages. These advantages distinguish favorably "drukshpühler", for example, from the same wall tanks. First of all, with its help we save even more space in the bathroom. In public toilets, where there are a lot of people at the same time, "drukspühler" is generally irreplaceable. The point here is no longer about saving. It turns out that the tanks, despite the rapid accumulation of water, after each drain (45 seconds) do not have time to fill up to the end. A tankless system does not need to wait until water is filled. If there is water in the riser, it will constantly flow into the pipe.

Shell-free flush fits both urinals and toilet bowls

And now I have to say about the disadvantages of the already beloved "Drukspüler". It's a pity, while I was reasoning, he somehow became dear to me, but what to do - the truth is more precious. Moreover, the negative aspect almost literally follows from the above advantages. It is especially difficult at home. I’ll explain what I mean. A favorite entertainment of our utilities has become such a national fun - to turn off the water in broad daylight throughout the quarter. Moreover, they can turn it off for ten minutes or for several hours. How lucky you are.

Of course, it's bad that just at this time you decided to drink tea or arrange a laundry. It's a shame, of course, but with clenched teeth, you can wait with it. Natural needs are another matter. Here you can't do it by willpower, nature doesn't care about the housing office. True, in an ordinary tank there are always 6 liters of water. So in which case you can even boil a chicken in it with a boiler, if there is no other water in the house.

Hmmm. "Drukspühler" is not capable of such feats. Here the Germans have not thought of something. Apparently, their water is never turned off without warning. Because the tankless system will simply have nothing to pump from the riser. There is no water! So in this case, both the toilet and the chicken will have to wait.

Grohe outdoor Drukspühler variants

There is one more thing. Also, unfortunately, not in favor of the "Drukspühler". According to experts, a cisternless flush system works louder than a built-in cistern. And although the Groe company has a special soundproofing, and all the Shell fittings meet the first class of noise (up to 20 decibels), the sound of the water being drained is still audible. Well, I don’t know, personally I don’t consider this a disadvantage. Well it makes noise, so what? Right under the windows of my friends, the third transport ring named after the Mayor is being built - and nothing! We bought earplugs and are asleep, they say that in two years it will be quiet - they promised to finish building. And here just water makes a noise a couple of times. No, maybe these gentle bourgeoisie consider it a noise, but with us it is a slight rustle.

Here the problem is different. According to the documents of the manufacturers, the flush-free flush system functions normally at a pressure in the riser of 1.2 to 5 atmospheres. So, as experts assured me, even with 1.5 atmospheres in the riser, the system will work. In theory, there is always such pressure in our homes. Although, however, water may not reach the 16th floor (not to mention higher floors). However, you should not despair. Because the Grohe company, for example, has a special model for low pressure - from 0.6 to 3 atmospheres.

How the Drukspühler saves water

And recently the craftsmen from Shell have released a new product - a model of an economical flush with a button from two sectors. Someone might think: “Why do we need this? We don't pay for water yet ?! " We are a wide people, we do not mind water. We have it so far - heaps. And so far we are not faced with such global problems as, for example, in Germany. There, the consumption of one cubic meter of cold water (it doesn't matter if you wash your hands or flush the water in the toilet) costs one brand. But, first of all, the day is not far off when we will have to pay for the pleasure. And secondly, the problem of saving water has already "touched with a cold paw" (I read this heartbreaking expression somewhere) the wallets of private homeowners.

Private homes often have pumps and boilers that pump water. And if you don't save water, it will take two or three times more. And since the permissible resource for the same pump or boiler is one, they can also fail two or three times faster. To prevent this from happening, it is better to install a new model with a button divided into two sectors - small and large. The first one drains three liters of water, the second - six liters.

The company "Groe" also provides for the regulation of the volume of water. Inside the flushing device there are two special fasteners that need to be moved in one direction or another, depending on the required amount of water. True, for this you will have to specially remove the shutter button.

Is renovation a delicate matter?

Of course, any thing can break over time. But I hasten to please you - repair in this case, as with built-in tanks, will not be a big headache. First of all, because the Drukspühler has nothing especially to break. Its "actuator" mechanism is made of steel, so you have to try very hard to damage something.

However, if any part still fails, you should not be sad. You just need to again remove the button-key from the wall, unscrew the cartridge with a wrench and take it to the workshop. Or buy a new one and replace it. The only advice: do not overestimate your abilities, it is better to trust the professionals. By the way, I advise you to entrust the installation of "Drukspühler" to the master. Despite the ease of installation, if you slightly move the pipe from the riser and screw it loosely, the device will flow.

Design

And the last thing. Saying goodbye to our new acquaintance, I will say that the design of the external drain can be very different. Shell, like Grohe, presents several models that differ from each other in appearance. It's just that the designers worked harder on some "Drukshpühlers", and less on others. But the basic, let's say, basic design is the same for all models.

There are just two words left to say: I buy it. Together with a wall-hung toilet, of course. I'll get a fee for this article, add it to the fees already accumulated and go to the store.