when you flush the toilet....

[Dancing Fire]

does the water spin clockwise or counter clockwise? i think a friend of mine is pulling my leggs,he said...in some part of the world the water spins counter clockwise. i said....

 

[ms.halo]

It's like the Simpsons episode set in Australia...

From Wikipedia:

Swirl direction

It is a commonly held misconception that when flushed, the water in a toilet bowl swirls one way if the toilet is north of the equator and the other way if south of the equator, due to the Coriolis effect - usually, counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere, and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. In reality, the direction that the water takes is much more determined by the direction that the bowl's rim jets are pointed, and it can be made to flush in either direction in either hemisphere by simply redirecting the rim jets during manufacture. On the scale of bathtubs and toilets, the Coriolis effect is too weak to be observed except under laboratory conditions.

 

[Vancity]

It''s probably not very scientific, but I like this answer from YAHOO:

"It depends on which side has a greater accumulation of sh!t"

 

[kenny]

In a sink or toilet bowl the rotation of the earth does result in more force on the water that is closest to the equator.
The coreolis effect is real.

A toilet bowl is small so the difference of force is too small to assure the water always flows in the same direction everywhere in a hemisphere.
The bowl's shape and where the water enters and drains, and the water's direction when it enters the bowl have much greater effect.

The ocean is big.
The water at the equator must move around the entire earth in a day while the water at (actually under) the poles does not have to move at all.
This does result in prevailing CW and CCW ocean currents.

 

[Steel]

Close the lid!

Do you know how many germs become airborne when you flush...nasty

.

 

[musey]

You seriously haven''t heard of this before, DFire?!

 

[Gailey]

You just wanted to say "toilet" to us all didn''t you? You''re a bad lad

 

[Diva0413]

Date: 10/15/2009 7:42:57 PM
Author: Steel
Close the lid!

Do you know how many germs become airborne when you flush...nasty

.

I was thinking the same thing!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

 

[MishB]

A toilet isn''t really a good basis for comparison considering Australian toilets are quite different in the way they flush to American toilets. They don''t fill up nearly as much, there''s only about 4 inches of water in the bottom of the bowl, they don''t drain (circling) and fill all the way like American toilets.

I just went and tested it (I knew you''d want me to do that And the water just rushed in any which way then drained out.

I can tell you the first time I went to the US and flushed the toilet it gave me quite a scare, when it kept filling and filling I thought it was broken and was going to overflow the rim. I nearly ran out screaming before I realised this was the way it was supposed to work.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/15/2009 10:08:02 PM
Author: MishB
A toilet isn''t really a good basis for comparison considering Australian toilets are quite different in the way they flush to American toilets. They don''t fill up nearly as much, there''s only about 4 inches of water in the bottom of the bowl, they don''t drain (circling) and fill all the way like American toilets.

I just went and tested it (I knew you''d want me to do that And the water just rushed in any which way then drained out.

I can tell you the first time I went to the US and flushed the toilet it gave me quite a scare, when it kept filling and filling I thought it was broken and was going to overflow the rim. I nearly ran out screaming before I realised this was the way it was supposed to work.

 

[justginger]

The same thing happened to my partner, Mish -- he kinda slunk out of my parents'' bathroom and whispered in my ear, "It just keeps filling up!" I guess he didn''t notice how high the water level was in the first place, but it gave him a bit of a talking point for a while. He was like, "Are they ALL like that?

Jeez -- you guys must go through millions of gallons of water just for your dunnies!"

 

[arjunajane]

Exactly, don''t you watch the Simpsons''?! That was one of the funniest episodes ever...

"I see you''ve played knifey-spooney before then"... ROFLMAO!

Yes Dfire, on our side of the equator the water runs counter clockwise..

Would you like a photo proof..?

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/15/2009 10:13:01 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 10/15/2009 10:08:02 PM

Author: MishB

A toilet isn''t really a good basis for comparison considering Australian toilets are quite different in the way they flush to American toilets. They don''t fill up nearly as much, there''s only about 4 inches of water in the bottom of the bowl, they don''t drain (circling) and fill all the way like American toilets.


I just went and tested it (I knew you''d want me to do that And the water just rushed in any which way then drained out.


I can tell you the first time I went to the US and flushed the toilet it gave me quite a scare, when it kept filling and filling I thought it was broken and was going to overflow the rim. I nearly ran out screaming before I realised this was the way it was supposed to work.

Actually Mish, on that subject - I was so surprised to learn recently that US toilets do not have a "half flush/full flush" button - this is actually an Australian invention.

I have to admit I was quite shocked to find out that you guys in the US waste quite alot of water with a full flush every time !

Anyone building a home/renovating - do look into a toilet with a half flush option.
I have watched some US shows about "green" homes, and they all have these toilets - they are all the rage apparently

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Does this mean I have to go and look because I have NO idea?! Maybe it''s counter clock wise.

 

[miraclesrule]

Dancing Fire...You have the most random thread topics.

Although I have to say, I become irrationally annoyed when people place their toilet paper rolls so the paper in under and not over like it's supposed to be. Same with paper towels.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 10/16/2009 11:56:08 AM
Author: arjunajane
Exactly, don''t you watch the Simpsons''?! That was one of the funniest episodes ever...

''I see you''ve played knifey-spooney before then''... ROFLMAO!

Yes Dfire, on our side of the equator the water runs counter clockwise..

Would you like a photo proof..?

thanks,i didn''t know that was true.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/16/2009 10:41:40 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 10/16/2009 11:56:08 AM

Author: arjunajane

Exactly, don't you watch the Simpsons'?! That was one of the funniest episodes ever...


'I see you've played knifey-spooney before then'... ROFLMAO!


Yes Dfire, on our side of the equator the water runs counter clockwise..


Would you like a photo proof..?

thanks,i didn't know that was true.

Really? huh, well there ya go, now you know. The world is definitely a mysterious place

 

[kas baby]

Date: 10/16/2009 12:01:15 PM
Author: arjunajane

Date: 10/15/2009 10:13:01 PM

Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 10/15/2009 10:08:02 PM


Author: MishB


A toilet isn''t really a good basis for comparison considering Australian toilets are quite different in the way they flush to American toilets. They don''t fill up nearly as much, there''s only about 4 inches of water in the bottom of the bowl, they don''t drain (circling) and fill all the way like American toilets.



I just went and tested it (I knew you''d want me to do that And the water just rushed in any which way then drained out.



I can tell you the first time I went to the US and flushed the toilet it gave me quite a scare, when it kept filling and filling I thought it was broken and was going to overflow the rim. I nearly ran out screaming before I realised this was the way it was supposed to work.

Actually Mish, on that subject - I was so surprised to learn recently that US toilets do not have a ''half flush/full flush'' button - this is actually an Australian invention.


I have to admit I was quite shocked to find out that you guys in the US waste quite alot of water with a full flush every time !

Anyone building a home/renovating - do look into a toilet with a half flush option.

I have watched some US shows about ''green'' homes, and they all have these toilets - they are all the rage apparently

ooh ooh ooh! we have the full&half flush buttons in both bathrooms in our apartment. And all the bathrooms in the new buildings on campus have this feature.

 

[arjunajane]

good to hear kas baby!

Honestly, it was like a "huh"? moment for me, as you will not find one toilet without that feature "Down Under" (except maybe in homes over 100 years old (federation) such as my folks'').

Of course, we are all about saving the water, so I was not surprised to hear it was an Aussie invention.

Doesn''t it just make more sense to use though, do you agree?

 

[TravelingGal]

AJ, TGuy was horrified when he saw American toilets. In whatever house we buy, we will be getting those half flush/full flush toilets (I apparently have no say in the matter.

)

I was actually unnerved when I first saw an Aussie toilet. I''m thinking...uh, can this toilet HANDLE me?

 

[Gailey]

We got 'em up here on this side of the 49th parallel.

But I have to say I'm with TGal on the whole introduction to North American toilets thing, being used to good old fashioned sturdily built English toilets with high wall hung cisterns and good solid wooden toilet seats. Mr Gailey proceeded to break every NA toilet seat he sat on - I kid you not, every last one! Don't ask me how he did it, must have been something to do with technique, I didn't pry.

We have since upgraded to Nexus Toto toilets with silent toilet seats (they don't bang when you drop them). And they are valiantly standing up to all the abuse Mr Gailey subjects them too. Economic flush too.

Poor old Mr G. He's come along way since the days of the outside privy

 

[Dancing Fire]

anybody own a vacuum toilet?

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Gailey, your DH''s ''technique'' issues made me laugh out loud!

Here''s a bit of nostalgia for you! http://www.thomas-crapper.com/
We bought this stuff for our main bathroom and they sent us loads of extras and gifts, with an interesting balance of nice and just slightly weird. For example, we have some framed detailed drawings and prints of well, toilets through the ages.

DF, DH says if you cross the equator on a train and run water in the washhand basin while you cross, it will stop in mid flow and turn the other way. Says he saw it with his own eyes. 99% sure he''s pulling my leg.

Jen

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/17/2009 1:12:28 AM
Author: TravelingGal
AJ, TGuy was horrified when he saw American toilets. In whatever house we buy, we will be getting those half flush/full flush toilets (I apparently have no say in the matter.

)


I was actually unnerved when I first saw an Aussie toilet. I''m thinking...uh, can this toilet HANDLE me?

Cool Tgal - it''ll def. save you on your water bill !

It''s funny, as I watch this real trendy/flashy US show sometimes about the world''s greenest homes, which are all these amazing gorgeous mansions. And with each home, they do a lil feature on how they are using the Aus-style toilets.
One US couple even had to have a sign on top of the toilet to explain to their guests how to use it!! That had me crackin up, lol..

On the second part...ummm I don''t understand...admittedly, never been over there unfortunately, so I don''t know what yours (toilets) look like..

Do you mean like - ours are smaller?

 

[justginger]

TGal, I thought the same thing! Kinda looked in there like, "Really?..."

AJ, the actual physical toilet is the same size -- it''s just that there''s so little water. In the States the water level is very high and the toilet flushes...gently? It just kinda all swirls down and disappears. If you don''t have enough water, things don''t all go away properly. In Australia, you don''t need as much water because of the force behind it! There''s no gentle swirl, it''s vigorous and means business!

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 10/17/2009 6:24:40 AM
Author: justginger
TGal, I thought the same thing! Kinda looked in there like, ''Really?...''


AJ, the actual physical toilet is the same size -- it''s just that there''s so little water. In the States the water level is very high and the toilet flushes...gently? It just kinda all swirls down and disappears. If you don''t have enough water, things don''t all go away properly. In Australia, you don''t need as much water because of the force behind it! There''s no gentle swirl, it''s vigorous and means business!

gotcha!!
Hrmm...actually, they sound just like the toilets I recall encountering in Balinese hotel rooms - I end up flushing again and again as I''m not sure if they''re working, lol!
TBH, I find it a lil....unnerving(?), when the water is up real high and close to your - well, you know - bits

(have only encountered this style, as mentioned, in foreign hotel rooms though)...

Despite being on the surface a rather unseemly topic, it looks like this toilet talk has for once been educational for many!

Well done DF ! lol

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 10/17/2009 6:24:40 AM
Author: justginger
TGal, I thought the same thing! Kinda looked in there like, ''Really?...''

AJ, the actual physical toilet is the same size -- it''s just that there''s so little water. In the States the water level is very high and the toilet flushes...gently? It just kinda all swirls down and disappears. If you don''t have enough water, things don''t all go away properly. In Australia, you don''t need as much water because of the force behind it! There''s no gentle swirl, it''s vigorous and means business!

Yup AJ, the above is what I meant. I''m used to all the water and everything looking diluted. You may be nervous with all that water near your bits, but I was nervous that without much water, people can create mountains in there!!!