Tankless discharge – drukspühler

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 this..

Today we go shopping with you and will be amazed to find out how many different accessories there are in the world. For example, plumbing manufacturers have invented such an interesting contraption – a tankless 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 “drukspühler”, 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, the wall cisterns, as we said 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 on the wall from the outside.

We asked with passion the managers of companies offering us a tankless drainage system. We were mainly interested in: what the hell do we need this construction for? There is 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. Drukshpühlers are especially popular with 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 plumbing, and the German company Grohe.

What it looks like?

What does a Drukspühler look like? Very simple. If this is a “wall-mounted” model, then on the wall above the toilet there is only a release button-key. 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 both the wall-mounted cisterns and 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, get 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, when the release button is pressed, the cartridge 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 off, 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 the required 6 liters of water are poured into the toilet while the valve is open. In other words, the valve closes exactly as long as 6 liters of water flow down. Here is such a “drukshpüler”.

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 rests 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, no complications, 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 not very 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 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 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 European-style renovation there will be such a rusty fool that once 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 sticking out” – please choose the built-in tankless 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 feel like messing around and erecting a false wall (where, in fact, they hide the tank), and you want to hang the toilet. Let’s repeat – it is impossible to combine an ordinary ceramic cistern and a wall-hung toilet. The situation will be saved only by the built-in “drukspühler”.

Drain button for 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 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. But 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 “drukspühler”, for example, from the same wall cisterns. First of all, with its help we save even more space in the bathroom. In public toilets, where there are many 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, do not have time to fill up after each drain (45 seconds). A tankless system does not need to wait until water is collected. If there is water in the riser, it will constantly flow into the pipe.

Shell-free flushing from Shell fits both urinals and toilets

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 point almost literally follows from the above advantages. It is especially difficult at home. I’ll explain what I mean. A favorite pastime 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 here.

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 one will not do it, nature does not care about the housing office. True, in a regular 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. “Drukspüler” 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 Schellian fittings meet the first class of noise (up to 20 decibels), the sound of the water being released 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 a couple of times the water makes a noise. 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 tankless flush system functions normally at a pressure in the riser from 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 Groe company, for example, has a special model for low pressure – from 0.6 to 3 atmospheres.

How 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, they say, 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 does not 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 been “touched with a cold paw” (I read this heartbreaking expression somewhere) the wallets of private homeowners.

Private homes often have water-pumping pumps and hot water boilers. 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, then 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 flush 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..

Repair is a delicate matter?

Of course, any thing can break over time. But I hasten to please you – repairs 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 away 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, the basic design is the same for all models.

It remains to say literally two words: 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.