Do you know the most important part of your home plumbing unit that works hard to serve you best? It’s a p trap, and it works like a genius. Do you want to know how?
We all know that sink pipes empty water from our sinks and basins. But, a p trap for a bathroom sink is a unique fitting that forms a strong barrier that prevents sewer gas and odors from entering your home. Just look below your sink and other drains; you will observe this unique fitting in your sanitary pipes.
Besides draining water, their primary purpose is to keep your atmosphere odor-free and pleasant. This blog will discuss the purpose of installing a P trap and its working guidelines.
P Trap and Its Role in Plumbing?
Are you new to P-trap plumbing? Oh, no problem. Every kitchen or bathroom sink has a U-shaped joint below for waste drainage. It’s the p trap drain, which has several benefits in the plumbing system. Besides collecting debris or waste, it inhibits poisonous or smelly gasses from entering your rest or workplace.
PVC P Traps Function
You can choose steel or PVC P-traps according to the construction of your plumbing system. However, sanitary ware manufacturers design more visually appealing PVC traps that suit best indoor plumbing.
PVC traps are also convenient, and you can easily install them by hand without any equipment. Plus, they have a longer lifespan and are free from the danger of corrosion. Furthermore, their whole body consists of white plastic and also nuts.
So, you can screw the nuts or nylon connectors by clockwise rotation of your hand. So, as a newcomer, you will find it easier to fix PVC p-trap parts than steel ones.
Steel P Traps Function
Drainage suppliers and wholesale distributors prefer steel traps for outdoor plumbing due to their extra durable appearance. In the case of steel p traps, always contact expert plumbers with a p trap kit because improper fixation leads to improper functioning and other systematic issues.
How the P-Trap Design Works
P trap gets its name from its unique body shape and peculiar design. You may observe its design is similar to the letter “P.” Two 90-degree angles combine with one horizontal 180-degree overflow pipe in the unit. This 180-degree overflow pipe serves as a barrier to stop the backward flow of water toward the sink.
Indeed, this water seal system allowed one 90-degree pipe to drain water from the sink. In contrast, the other pipe brings water to the overflow pipe for safe drainage. The backflow prevention mechanism protects the residents from poisonous sewerage gasses like ammonia that smell like rotten eggs or nitrogen.
If these gasses do not escape through the p-trap sink, you may hear a bomb explosion in your kitchen or washroom. However, the p trap leaking can make the situation worse. Its P-shaped body creates a water barrier within the P trap to hold water inside.
The clogs can leave the trap out via a slight tap at the bottom of the trap. You can use a p trap cleaner in case of an emergency. This trap also contains a U-shaped bend and a J-bend. With the help of a J-bend on one end, you can attach it to a sink, bathtub, or shower.
Finally, all the bends empty into your drainage system. So, after consulting with professional and expert drainage suppliers and manufacturers, purchase your p trap. Otherwise, you will have to face the p trap leaking.
P Trap Working Principle
P trap has a higher bend that allows water to spill into the wall tube called the weir. The other bends collect water in the curve to create a 1-½-inch to 2-inch water seal at the weir. In conclusion, this p trap 1 ½ seal keeps odors and hazardous gasses out of the house and keeps you healthy.
Additionally, the p-trap keeps particles and debris out of your drainage system. Expert p trap manufacturers design its U bend to capture all sediments and prevent them from entering the drainage pipes. Whenever you flush, fresh wastewater flushes out through this trap and clears the drain through the p-trap vent. Drain pipe suppliers provide p traps with plumbing systems for safe and efficient disposal of wastes.
Safe and Easy P Trap Installation
The P-trap is low-cost and simple to install. You can do it yourself, which we think is its best feature. Be careful while joining the PVC pipe to guarantee tight seals and stop leaks. Under some conditions, you cannot install a P-trap under the sink in your plumbing system, but a qualified plumber can guide you through it. For now, we have two general guidelines to assist you in understanding the appropriate installation of your p trap.
Rule # 1:
You cannot install more than three sanitary connections on a single p trap. If you have more sinks and wash basins, use a separate p trap for more than three appliances. We recommend you adjust a separate p-trap bathtub connection to experience good pleasure while bathing. Similarly, the latest p-trap adapters on toilet showers perform the same function.
Rule # 2:
Sanitary manufacturing companies advise using a trap primer when installing a p trap on your plumbing system. The primer helps to fix the seal and prevent gas and water leakage from the joints, which are rare in use. However, the chances of leaking are meager if you use your washroom or kitchen sinks daily. The same is the case with dry and warm weather.
Does Your P Trap Smell Bad? Why?
Here are several factors that lead to improper functioning of your p trap.
Unused P Trap
The “glug, glug” sound during flushing signals that you did not use your toilet for a long time. Thus, the p trap is non-functional because it cannot be used longer. Mostly, it happens with the drain in older cabins, business buildings, and homes. This gulping noise is due to the trapped gasses. And if you don’t take it seriously, it will result in p-trap leakage.
P Trap Lost Water Seal
It’s the most common cause of odor from a sink p trap. Usually, it happens when p traps dry out due to non-functioning for a longer time or due to evaporation. Ultimately, the waste debris inside the trap solidifies without water, resulting in -trap extension and bursting. At last, it broke the water seal. Your p trap can wait for you for 3 to 5 months. After that, it fails to pull sewerage gasses out of your toilet.
P Trap Fails to Hold Water
Sometimes, because of arid and warm weather, p traps for tub drains or floor drains dry out. The foul smell from your sinks is a potent indicator that your trap needs water for proper functioning. Depending upon the manufacturing material, your p trap may take a week or a month to dry out completely.
Clogged P Trap Vent
A clogged vent does not allow air to come inside your drain pipes. Water and waste drainage require air pressure to move out of the drain. Alone, the water force can do nothing. Moreover, moving air maintains a specific internal pressure inside drain pipes for efficient waste disposal. Drain pipe manufacturers and suppliers mention the pressure-bearing limits on the pipe before selling. Predominantly, p traps on shower drains suffer from this due to clogged hairs inside. All you can do is call a plumber for help and ask him to unblock your vent.
It’s a Wrap
P trap’s primary purpose is
- To hold the waste and keep your drain functional
- To trap poisonous foul-smelling gasses from your kitchen sink or washroom
- To connect two waste lines according to the codes of plumbing
Did you find this blog helpful? You can contact Hofen Sanitary Manufacturers to discuss your further queries.