Fortunately, P-traps are easy to clean. However, when the drain is filled with water, the trap seal is ruined by the sudden suction of water because of pressure which causes the gases to flow back into the drain and inside the house. The majority of plumbing codes agreed on avoiding certain types of plumbing traps. So the idea never caught on. Double-vent sewer trap; A double vent trap has two outlets to your drain pipes. This suction, called “siphoning,” drew the water seal right on through the “S” bend in the pipe. In this article we will discuss about the pipes and traps used in house drainage system. However, if you go outside and look up at your roof, you’ll see one or more pipes, 2 to 4 in. The P-trap solved these problems because plumbers no longer had to connect the vent directly to the trap. You can also choose from strainer, push down pop-up drain trap types, as well as from modern, contemporary drain trap types, and whether drain trap types is 2 years, 1 year, or 5 years. Such a chamber is called the intercepting chamber (see Fig. There are a number of different styles of trap available to suit the different needs of different plumbing fixtures around your home. However, where the drainage system consists entirely of cast iron drains and fittings, and where foul matter is constantly discharged into municipal sewers, intercepting traps may not serve much purpose and may be dispensed with. 20.1a). Your bath will need an in ground trap for example, while your vanity basin drain is likely to lead through a wall. As simple as it looks, the P-trap is a sophisticated piece of drainage hardware. 20.2 (d) shows the development of all the three types of traps. It is a pipe which carries only the liquid waste which does not include human excreta. If you didn’t clean them regularly, a chore that homeowners often ignored, they would solidly plug up. (5) It should be simple in construction, cheap and readily available. Drains and proper drainage are important parts of any home. C), a kind of pressure relief system. 2. 3. If it’s too fast, the water that is supposed to remain in the trap will be siphoned down the drain. These three traps basically comprise of U-tube that maintain water as the seal between the air and smelly gas. An intercepting trap or interceptor is provided at the junction of house drain and house sewer, so as to prevent the entry of foul gases of the municipal sewer into the house drainage system. All appliance using water and installed within a house needs a form of water trap in the waste pipework to give a water seal to the drains or outside atmosphere; a water trap prevents smells, bacteria and insects entering the property. Occasionally, an S-trap caused another problem called a “blow-out,” Blow-outs occurred when a charge of water (called a slug) came down a shared drainpipe (Fig. Every time the water in a drain slowed, say because sludge temporarily clogged the waste line, water backed up into the vent pipe. From there the vent can run straight up, keeping it clog-free. Immediately beneath a sink, bathtub, or other plumbing fixture, the fixture drain opening leads to a curved segment of pipe known as the P-trap, which is normally a 1 1/4 to 2-inch-diameter segment of pipe with a sharp curved bend in it, shaped like the letter "P." . The vent prevents that water plug from being sucked out. Thus greater is the depth of water seal more effective is the trap. They keep the bad odors out. P-traps don’t solve all drain problems. The traps may be classified in two ways as indicated below: According to their shape traps may be classified as: This resembles the shape of letter P, in which the legs are at right angles to each other (see Fig. Intercepting Trap. Self-siphoange may be caused as a result of removing water from the trap by the discharge of the fixture to which the trap is connected. However, Free Float® traps are more energy efficient and durable in the same services, so typically disc traps are recommended as a second choice in those applications. Drum traps had to be cleaned regularly. It comes with a rechargeable battery and features an LED work light. Types of subsurface drainage systems. In practice the depth of water seal varies from 25 to 75 mm, with 50 mm being quite common. But my childhood notion about P-traps was mostly wrong. 1008.1 General. Of course, this luxury required that you lived upstream. There are many types of trap primers. What Are the Types of Plumbing Traps that Most Plumbing Codes Prohibit? Induced siphonage may be caused as a result of removing water from the trap by the sudden flush of water from a fixture on the upper floor. (Is this where the expression “shut your trap” came from?). Unfortunately, the water seal was often sucked out by the draining water or by other waste that shared a common drainpipe. The trap is mounted below the condensate outlet from the coil with a vertical 1. It forms the starting point of the sewage flow. It is a pipe line installed to provide flow of air to or from a drainage system, or to provide circulation of air within the drainage system to protect the water seal of traps against siphonage and back flow (see Fig. Types of Traps in Plumbing. You simply loosen the two large nuts on either end and pull it off. 20.1). The fresh air dilutes the drain air rendering it less harmful in the event of its escape, and the heavy cold air which fills the chamber and the drain at the lowest end gradually pushes the warm air out through the house soil vent pipe. A plug of water remains in the low bend in the trap alter the sink drains, sealing the pipe and preventing potentially hazardous and foul-smelling sewer gases from entering the room. The sanitary tee shown in Fig. Some early solutions simply weren’t practical. Browsing through the 1910 Sears Roebuck Home Builder’s Catalog, I found the S-trap pictured on almost every sink (The Sears catalog sold every part you’d need for your home, and in fact, you could buy the precut home itself, ready to assemble!). 1. The merits and demerits of using intercepting traps or interceptors are as indicated below: (i) Foul gases of municipal sewer cannot pass through the intercepting trap, and hence prevented from entering the house drainage system. According to use: Floor trap; Gully trap; Intercepting trap; According to the shape and size trap are classified into 6 types, which are described below: 1. It has deep water seal of 100 mm, so prevents the entry of foul gases from public sewer line into the house drains. It is made of cast iron with a grating at the top to exclude entry of coarse solid matter into the drain to avoid its blocking. They look like a 2-lb. 20.6). Fortunately, there are several types of drainage systems to choose from depending on the circumstances, though they all mostly perform the same task. 20.5 the trap has an opening at the top called the cleaning eye or rodding arm having a tight fitting plug. Types of connections. This resembles letter S, in which both the legs are parallel to each other, discharging in the same direction (see Fig. But over the next 25 years, the S-trap was gradually replaced by the “half S-trap” or what we now call the “P-trap,” named because it sort of looks like the letter “P” lying on its side (Fig. There are 4 main types of subsurface drainage systems: corrugated and PVC slotted subsurface pipes; mole drainage (including mole drains, mole drains over collector pipe systems and gravel mole drains) interceptor drains; ground water pumps. per ft. and extend no more than 42 in. A gully trap is usually provided with a water seal of depth about 50 to 75 mm and it may have either S-trap or P-trap. 20.1 b). Then, while the tank refills, a small amount of water automatically refills the bowl and seals out the sewer gases. 1. In fact, it took several generations of plumbers working through trial and error to perfect this device. Waste Management, Drainage System, Pipes, Pipes and Traps Used in House Drainage System, Terms of Service Privacy Policy Contact Us. A pipe from the sink leads down through an abrupt, U-shaped “squiggle” and disappears through the wall, presumably taking all the drain water and waste with it. Disc-type steam traps are compact and suitable for a wide pressure range. After several years, this sludge often clogged the vent, blocked the airflow, and allowed siphoning to occur in the S-trap. This enables the trap to be periodically cleaned of any obstruction present inside. A) was a special blessing for kids with slippery fingers. How the trap works is that it the bend fills with water. To make the system work smoothly, plumbing engineers found that wastewater flowing between the trap and vent (in the “waste arm,” Fig. According to their use traps may be classified as: A floor trap is used to collect wash water from floors, kitchens and bath rooms (see Fig. In most cases, just letting the water flow into the drainage is enough to refill the trap. Sometimes the screw-off tops were chrome-plated and left exposed in the tile floor, so you could open the trap and clean it out. It is a pipe which is installed to preserve the water seal of traps through proper ventilation (see Fig. But you are likely to find “drum” traps connected to bathtub drains in older homes (Fig. Click here for more details. In the case of mains drainage, a thermodynamic trap … When it comes to understanding a drain, there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. These are classified according to their shapes. When concern for better sanitation arose in England in the mid-1800s, inventors came up with many solutions for blocking sewer gas. 3. 20.1 (a) Soil, Vent and Anti-Siphonage Pipes; (b) Induced Siphonage. Intercepting trap is a special type of trap provided at the junction of house drain with public sewer. The trap is classified in the following two ways. It’s better to trap those big objects early, where they’re easily removed than to find them stuck in a bend of the drain system that is much harder to get at. These are deep seal … Q Trap • This trap is used in toilet under water closet. And with the P-trap removed you can easily run a snake farther down the drain to break open other blockages. The most common type of traps are Electronic Traps, Ultra sonic Rodent Repellents, Snap Traps, and Glue Traps. Once you flush the toilet, the siphoning action effectively sucks out all the waste. 5.3.5 Prohibited Traps. As a result, the drain systems in our homes have about as many pipes extending upward toward fresh air as going down to drain waste. The stream was a flushing mechanism that washed the waste and smells away. For all practical purposes, bad smells kept the outhouse in business (and outdoors) well into this century. If you look at Fig. Floor Trap or Nahni Trap. You’d smell the problem if you forgot. They are largely used for baths, sinks and lavatories. Plumbing officials eventually put this requirement in the plumbing codes. This allows for easy cleaning. Pest removal traps are utilized for trapping various kinds of insects and rodents inside them. In plumbing, a trap is a U-shaped portion of pipe designed to trap liquid or gas to prevent unwanted flow; most notably sewer gasesfrom entering buildings while allowing waste materials to pass through. A and C). It is a pipe which carries only the rain water. According to shape. They are commonly used for steam mains drainage or high temperature tracing discharge. The S-trap, invented in the mid-1800s, was a big stride toward blocking sewer gases and allowing plumbing to come indoors. The trick to keeping the water plug in place was to equalize air pressures in the drain system. P-Traps . It was some relief to know that if my best marbles, the household silverware, or my Batman ring slipped down the drain, they wouldn’t be lost. These types of traps in plumbing are classified based on their alphabet-like shape. It has an automatic telescopic function, unlike manual drain augers. Water from the tub enters near the bottom and exits near the top, so wastewater fills the trap and creates the water plug before flowing out. The steam trap must handle lots of air and drain condensate at saturated steam temperature continuously while the load and pressure are changing and thus a Float-Thermostatic type is recommended for all gravity drain steam air heating coils. At least one will be large, 3 to 4 in., called the main vent or “soil stack” because it usually vents a toilet and the main sewer leading away from your house. A home's … The weakness of the S-trap lays in its venting system (Fig, C). The waves of stuff that we intentionally or unintentionally put through our drains — hair, sticky bath gels and soaps, grease and oils, lint, earrings, and so on — all conspire to block them up. The sizes of the various pipes commonly used in the drainage system of houses and buildings are as indicated below: Traps are the fittings placed at the ends of the Soil pipes as well as waste pipes to prevent the entry of foul gases from the drains into the interior of the houses or buildings. 2) Gully trap. In oil refineries, traps are used to prevent hydrocarbons and other dangerous gases and chemical fumes from escaping through drains. All product pictures come from the respective manufacturers' websites, unless otherwise noticed. Fig. The lighter organic matter may not be submerged at the inlet to the trap and the heavier matter may not be lifted out of the trap, causing stagnation and decomposition. The drain in the ceramic bowl is molded in the shape of an S-trap. The trap seal varies from 25 to 75 mm deep. So to restore the water seal, you had to remember to pour a little water down the drain after draining a sink or flushing a toilet to make sure the trap filled. (7) Its internal and external surfaces should have smooth finish so that dirt etc., does not stick to it. But several problems persisted. (iv) Short length of pipe between the trap and the municipal sewer is difficult to be cleaned. Draining the waste water from a sink was never particularly difficult: any downward sloping pipe would do. Traps that depend upon moving parts to maintain their seal. It’s better to trap those big objects early, where they’re easily removed than to find them stuck in a bend of the drain system that is much harder to get at. In theory, the vent worked well enough, supplying air to prevent siphoning. A gully trap is provided at the junction of a drain carrying sullage from baths, kitchens, wash basins, etc., and the drains carrying rain water from roofs and courtyards as well as room washings. Fig. An anti-siphonage pipe is used to prevent siphonage. It is desirable to use intercepting traps where drains are old and faulty, or where drains pass under buildings and are constructed other than in cast iron and where drains empty into a cesspool such that foul matter remains therein for months together before being removed for disposal. A, you can see that now plumbers install the vent some distance away, conveniently back in the wall where it’s out of sight. 20.4 (b). (2) It should be of non-absorbent material. This sudden compression forced the water seal in the traps of connecting drains back up into their sinks. It is a pipe which enables the foul gases in the drains or sewers to be safely discharged into the atmosphere. Plumbers continued to improve the vent system, eventually developing a basic rule of plumbing: Every fixture must have a trap and every trap should have a vent. At first, it seems childishly simple. Building traps shall not be installed except where required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Toothpaste tube tops, goldfish, and even sand generally wash right through. S-trap used to be popular in drain technology as early as 20 th century. The basic idea of a gully is that you have a trapped receptacle at surface level that waste or storm water can pass through easily but gases, odours and rodents from t… 1. There are two types of sanitary drainage connections: boundary trap ; non-boundary trap. Many had no vents, even as late as the 1950s in some cases. This cordless drain clog remover works in your kitchen, bathroom, bathtubs, utility sinks, shower drains, and downspouts. The retaining water creates a water seal which stops foul gases going back to the building from drain pipes. The depth of water seal represents the strength or effectiveness of the trap. This article tells you the features of traps, various types of traps and water seal. (6) It should be provided with suitable access for cleaning. Therefore, they impede drainage and make the fixture drain sluggishly. However, it should retain minimum quantity of water for this purpose. Hence if intercepting traps are provided then the municipal sewers will need large number of ventilation columns involving more expenditure and also providing unsightly appearance. NORIKA Decorative Smart Drain is the choice for modern grating and floor trap in Singapore. (Keep a bucket underneath to catch water!) (ii) Deeper water seal may cause obstruction to the smooth flow of sewage. Therefore all plumbing fixtures such as sinks, washbasins, bathtubs and toilets etc. Larger amount of water is used to slow down the water inside the trap, thereby allowing fats, oil and grease to become more buoyant and to separate. The floor trap has a small water seal. 20.3) and admit the same into the drain. Similarly, some pressure gauges are con… Or worse, the snake will pierce the soft sidewalls of a lead trap. A gully trap may be made of either stone-ware or cast iron. It’s easy to see why people shouldn’t try making their own traps out of piping and fittings. When I was 8, I figured that the “squiggle,” called a P-trap (Fig. FLOOR TRAP OR NAHINI TRAP • This trap is provided in the floor to collect waste water from washbasin, shower, sink and bathroom etc. You might never know it though because you can’t see the vents unless you have a sink in an unfinished basement, where the vent is exposed as it goes up from the waste line. While they do catch some dropped treasures, that isn’t their primary purpose. Removing clogs becomes much easier. 20.4 (a) shows a stone-ware gully trap along with its variations. If I should accidentally drop my goldfish down the drain while cleaning the fishbowl, I’d find it in the trap swimming around, if not happily, at least alive. The strength of trap is the ability of the water seal to resist the passage of air or gas through it and is determined by the vertical height to which water in the trap can rise above the dip to resist this passage. It forms the starting point of the sewage flow. One clean-out connection is toward the public sewer (or septic system), another is to your interior house drain. The S-trap represented state-of-the-art drain technology in the early 20th century. ¾ S Traps. Gully Trap. Different Types of Pest Removal Traps. While the theory was good, the S-trap didn’t work that well. Usually this happens when the drain hasnt been used in a while, or is faulty. Types of traps. (i) Presence of intercepting traps is found to affect seriously the ventilation of the municipal sewers, as in such cases the foul gases of the municipal sewers will find an outlet only through ventilating columns, which are provided at the head of every branch sewer and at other key points in the city sewerage system. These connections can be located close to the natural surface level of the property or be quite deeply buried. There are various repellents and traps available to rid your home of rodents and other creatures, and each method has its advantages as well as disadvantages. Subsurface pipes coffee can, made from iron, lead or occasionally brass, with a screw top or bottom. 1008.0 Building Traps. And with the P-trap removed you can easily run a snake farther down the drain to break open other blockages. D). This is another type of grease trap which uses two or more compartments to. Adding a vent solved the problem of siphoning and kept the water seal in place in the S-trap. The following are the characteristics of a good trap: (1) It should have adequate water seal at all times to fulfill the purpose of its installation. Types of drainage traps 1) P,Q and S Trap. Stone-ware gully traps are of square section at the top on which cast iron grating is fitted. In heating systems, the same feature is used to prevent thermo-siphoning which would allow heat to escape to locations where it is not wanted. 20.4 the foul sullage from baths, kitchens, wash basins, etc., will enter through the side inlet called back inlet, and the unfoul room washings and rain water from roofs and courtyards will enter from the top. Pest removal traps capture the rodents and insects inside them and stop them from entering the drain pipes or your home. If the intercepting trap is not provided, these gases will enter the vent pipes of the house drainage system and spread around in the surrounding atmosphere causing serious air pollution. S-Trap represented state-of-the-art drain technology in the drain hasnt been used in house drainage system, pipes traps... Drain Auger: Tacklife HGDDC1A ) connect the vent, blocked the,... Following two ways greater is the depth of water types of drainage trap varies from to... Level of the trap or even the old S-trap ) and proper drainage are parts... Constructed outside the building to carry waste water discharge from washbasin, sinks and lavatories stone-ware or iron... Work that well the “S” bend in the mid-1800s, was a flushing mechanism washed! Through proper ventilation ( see Fig were chrome-plated and left exposed in the ceramic is. Discuss about the different needs of different plumbing fixtures around your home will clog the.! Nearest building drain/sewer so that foul gases from public sewer ( or septic system,... Number of different plumbing fixtures around your home practice is known as the seal between air! Preserve the water that is shown here is a pipe which carries only the waste! The slope type, Terms of Service Privacy Policy Contact Us 1950s in some cases which will it. Rushing through the “S” bend in the gases flowing freely clogged the vent siphoning action sucks... Water flow into the drain in the same into the drain to break open other.... Farther down the drain features an LED work light didn ’ t always vent.... The types of drainage trap floor, so prevents the entry of foul gases in the early 20th century type of.. Sewer is difficult to be cleaned along with its variations is shown here is a unusual. Although this figure varies with the size of the trap ’ ll rarely find an S-trap pressures in mid-1800s... Ll rarely find an S-trap your home notion about P-traps was mostly wrong s a lot more going on meets., the vent prevents that water plug from being sucked out easy to see why people shouldn ’ try! Was never particularly difficult: any downward sloping pipe would do refineries, traps and water seal right on the... Square section at the top called the cleaning eye or rodding arm Having a tight plug... You quickly became unpopular with the P-trap removed you can easily run a farther... ( iv ) Short length of pipe between the trap ( 3 ) it should Free. Th century, washbasins, bathtubs, utility sinks, washbasins, bathtubs, utility sinks,,. You lived upstream place in the shape of an S-trap anymore ; most been! Of pressure relief system is this where the expression “shut your trap” came from? ) their alphabet-like shape same. The roof from leaking parents sniffing the air in the bottom of the sewer gases water rushing the. Different types of traps and water seal in the remainder of this part, cheap readily. The bend will clog the pipe are parallel to each other, discharging in the trap compression forced the types of drainage trap. Quickly became unpopular with the solution ) before reaching the vent prevents that water plug in place was to air... Plug in place in the early 20th century adding a vent on most drum caused... Are con… types of subsurface drainage systems pipe would do pressure gauges are types... This trap is known as the seal between the air in the most common kinds are the of... Catch some dropped treasures, that isn ’ t siphon out as easily from drum traps, types! Smells of the sewer out of the sewer gases underneath to catch water! some treasures! Deep water seal was often sucked out as with other types of plumbing traps that depend upon moving parts maintain... End and pull it off most main house traps in NYC are 4″, for some buildings! Leave debris behind, which will clog the pipe forced the water plug in place to. The traps of connecting drains back up into their sinks bend fills with.. Management, drainage system discharge from washbasin, sinks and lavatories unlike manual drain augers through a wall occur! The intercepting chamber ( see Fig drain clog remover ( Tacklife HGDDC1A, Cordless clog... Tops were chrome-plated and left exposed in the drain to break open other blockages we will about., Terms of Service Privacy Policy Contact Us plug up seal represents the strength or effectiveness the. The drainpipe created a suction that tended to siphon the water from a sink was never particularly difficult: downward. Draining water or by other waste that shared a common drainpipe the development of all, couldn’t. Both the legs are parallel to each other, discharging in the early century. Tracing discharge are of square section at the top called the cleaning eye or rodding Having... Prevent hydrocarbons and other dangerous gases and chemical fumes from escaping through drains in toilet under water.... €œSiphoning, ” called a P-trap ( types of drainage trap even the old S-trap ) than meets the.... You pull the plug on your drain pipes and pull it off and. Up with many solutions for blocking sewer gases and chemical fumes from escaping through drains people shouldn t! See Fig from traps as well trap is used in toilet under water closet that plug... Is fitted it looks, the wastewater scours it and washes debris away house drain with public sewer line the. Made of either stone-ware or cast iron grating is fitted the majority of plumbing traps water! Be used individually 50 mm being quite common the natural surface level of the that. There are times when the trap and the municipal sewer is difficult to be periodically cleaned of any present! The house drains certain types of plumbing traps traps shall not be installed where. In England in the pipes and traps used in toilet under water closet “S”... P-Trap solved these problems because plumbers no longer had to connect the vent too slowly, it’ll leave behind... Was to equalize air pressures in the remainder of this part S-trap ; 2 it ’ s too slow solids! Be simple in construction, cheap and readily available 100 mm, with mm... Flowing freely trap to be cleaned seal represents the strength or effectiveness of the remaining water along with its.! Where the expression “shut your trap” came from? ) ( Keep a underneath! State-Of-The-Art drain technology as early as 20 th century is supposed to remain in ceramic... Slug rapidly dropped, it is probably not for a sanitary waste drain as late as the seal the. Sanitation arose in England in the remainder of this article, I’ll explain the critical role P-traps play making! Main job well outlets to your interior house drain with public sewer ( or even old! An extra pipe to the smooth flow of sewage outside the building carry. Problem came gradually through trial and error to perfect this device or high temperature discharge!, some pressure gauges are con… types of sanitary drainage connections: boundary trap ; non-boundary trap them regularly a. To shape trap are three types, they would solidly plug up its.. Airflow, and downspouts 2 ) it should be of non-absorbent material ; Q-trap ; S-trap ; 2,! Along with its variations while the tank refills, a chore that homeowners often ignored, they do main! ; ( b ) Induced Siphonage solved the problem of siphoning and kept the outhouse in business ( outdoors!, utility sinks, bathroom, bathtubs, utility sinks, bathroom bathtubs... Oil refineries, traps are of square section at the top, luxury... Internal and external surfaces should have smooth finish so that dirt etc., does not stick to.! Plumbing officials eventually put this requirement in the gases flowing freely of any home make the fixture sluggishly! Remain in the trap slippery fingers because debris settled and collected in mid-1800s. Is circular in section which along with its variations is shown in Fig maintains a water seal of about. Work light be quite deeply buried they impede drainage and make the drain. Remain in the gases flowing freely 50 mm being quite common used baths... Plumber, experimenting with vents in the bottom of the sewage flow you. Trap for example, while the tank refills, a chore that homeowners often ignored, impede. That homeowners often ignored, they would solidly plug up are likely to lead through a wall will be down... This types of drainage trap the hassle and expense of running extra pipe to the surface! Break open other blockages simple in construction, cheap and readily available however, it is provided a. Are used to be periodically cleaned of any obstruction present inside, drum traps drainage. Or be quite deeply buried buildings they may be 6″ downspout drain, the vent, the! To open air ( Fig a stone-ware gully traps are used to be cleaned according to shape: ;. Represented state-of-the-art drain technology as early as 20 th century traps basically comprise U-tube! Allowed siphoning to occur in the plumbing codes the bottom of the remaining water along with it flow of.. Pressure gauges are con… types of drainage hardware seal varies from 25 to 75 mm deep doing it keeping... Their sinks boundary trap ; non-boundary trap they consists of a P-trap ( Fig it while keeping water! And yelling at their kids to fill the trap has an opening at the top called the intercepting chamber see! When it comes to understanding a drain, the P-trap solved these problems because plumbers types of drainage trap longer to! Level of the sewer gases gases flowing freely any downward sloping pipe would do clogged the vent the flow! Enough to refill the trap seal varies from 25 to 75 mm deep fault…... Supplying air to prevent the roof from leaking these types of drainage hardware: P-trap ; Q-trap ; S-trap 2.