Reliable articulation of the toilet bowl with the sewer pipe will save you from many unpleasant moments, such as seepage of sewage, unpleasant smell and pollution of the floor of the toilet room. But what to do when the outlet of the plumbing elbow does not coincide with the pipe inlet, and ordinary eccentrics or extension cords cannot solve the problem? In this case, universal connecting corrugations will come to the rescue.
What is toilet corrugation?
The fittings of the spillway class, to which the corrugation belongs, is a transitional device from the toilet to the sewer, which has strength and the ability to stretch. It is similar in shape to an accordion, made of polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyurethane. The product has durable properties to maintain its integrity under conditions of stretching, heating within acceptable limits.
Despite the apparent fragility, the corrugation is a rather strong detail. This is due to the presence of stiffeners, due to which it can stretch. Corrugations come in different sizes and allow the articulation of plumbing, even ifthe plane of the entrance of the sewer channel is turned 90, and sometimes 180 degrees from the drain outlet of the toilet bowl. The only condition for obtaining large bends in the connector is to prevent its significant sagging.
Use cases
There are several cases when connecting the toilet with a corrugation is advisable or another option is generally excluded:
- The difference between the outlets of the bowl and the connecting socket of the sewer. This is due to the presence on the market of so many models of toilet bowls with their own design features. In this case, standard connectors may not be suitable, but with the help of a sleeve, due to its flexibility, the issue is completely solved.
- The position of the toilet bowl has a certain amount of displacement relative to the sewer outlet. This refers to the case where it is impossible to manage with an ordinary eccentric. The reasons for the mismatch may be different, but if this happens, the corrugation for the toilet bowl is an indispensable material.
- The toilet is connected temporarily, sometimes it needs to be moved away, for example, due to repairs in the toilet room. A flexible adapter will help to be able to use plumbing and not disconnect it periodically.
Types of corrugations
There are different modifications of products on the market for convenient work with all types of toilet bowls. Connecting drain fittings can be:
- Small and large sizes from 21cm to 50cm.
- Soft structure product made of plastic without reinforcement, with thinwalls. They are more flexible, allow you to place the corrugation for the toilet in any desired position, but their strength is low.
- Reinforced connector, inside the walls of which a fiber or mesh frame made of stainless wire is embedded. The stiffer design allows for a smaller range of articulation, but it is a solid product that is very durable and tends to have less sag.
- With a different angle of the socket outlet, making it easier to install the toilet with a corrugation. So, along with straight bells, there are models of sleeves in which it departs at an angle of 45 degrees and even 90 degrees.
Corrugation device, dimensions
The technical solution of the corrugation is very simple, despite the versatility of the products. They consist of the following basic elements:
- The socket into which the toilet elbow outlet is inserted.
- A corrugated section that can be extended and allows the connector to be flexible.
- A pipe inserted into the socket of a sewer pipe.
- Sealing rubber bands that act as sealing elements that fill the space between the connector and plumbing.
The first three elements are a single whole - a product made of plastic. Sealing rubber bands are removable, they can be replaced if necessary. Sometimes, instead of sealing rubber elements, plastic non-removable seals are provided in the sleeve itself. Such connectors are extremely unreliable and do not allow in some cases to obtain a sealed joint.
The size of the corrugation for the toilet bowl in the technical specifications is indicated for their compressed state. So, for example, a length of 21.2 centimeters indicates that the connecting sleeve can be easily stretched up to 32 centimeters. When buying a product with a size of 28.5 centimeters, you can count on a maximum length of half a meter. But when choosing a connector for a specific task, you need to take into account that the joint in tension can lead to the difficulty of reliable and tight fixation, as well as slipping during operation.
How to install corrugation on the toilet?
Corrugation is one of those few elements that in some cases can be installed without unscrewing the toilet bowl from the floor. This is convenient if it is not possible to unscrew the fixing screws of the plumbing legs. Connection is carried out in the following order:
- A layer of sealant is applied to the toilet pipe at the place where the sleeve is put on.
- Pull the socket of the flexible hose over the toilet outlet and allow time for the sealant to cure.
- Apply a layer of sealant to the outer wall around the circumference of the socket of the sewer pipe.
- Insert the connector pipe into the sewer and allow time for the sealant to harden.
- Fix the toilet to the floor and lay out the corrugation so that it does not sag, if necessary, placing supports under it in the form of bars and similar elements.
- Pour several buckets of water down the toilet and check for leaks from the joints.
Conclusion
Naturally, by installing the corrugationfor a toilet on plumbing that is not new, all pipes and sockets must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt and deposits, and sealant must be applied only on a dry surface. Of course, it is always better to invite a professional locksmith who will install the equipment with high quality and give a guarantee for their work.