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An unexpected hero lies in the heart of every Aussie home, where pipes whisper tales of water's mysterious journey. Today, we're diving into the intriguing world of plumbing, and our spotlight is on a subtle yet mighty player – the plumbing trap.
Picture it not just as a curve in the pipe but as your home's unsung hero, donning a cape to fend off the forces of sewer gases and troublesome debris. So, kick back, grab your metaphorical tool belt, and unravel why this unassuming bend is the quiet champion in your household plumbing symphony.
What Is a Plumbing Trap?
When you check the inside of your cabinet under the kitchen sink, you will find a piece of PVC pipe featuring a U-shaped bend at its base. This is known as the plumbing trap, and it gets its name because it looks similar to the letter P flipped sideways. The P-trap features threaded fittings on its two sides.
It connects to the piping extending from the drain on one side while the other attaches to the drain, feeding into the main wastewater drainage system. All your showers, bathtubs, and washing machines feature a P-trap under the drain.
When something is dropped down the drain, it gets stuck in the bend at the base of the trap instead of getting washed away down the drain line. You can remove the plumbing trap under the sink by loosening the fittings on both ends. This is necessary in case you drop something important down your drain.
The plumbing trap also makes it easy to access the drain pipe when it blocks. If there is a blockage inside your drain line past this trap, removing it makes it easier to use a piping snake to remove the clog.
How a Plumbing Trap Works
The plumbing trap's main role is to trap sewer gases inside your wastewater system to prevent them from rising back up through the drain's garbage disposal. Its P-shape makes it do this more effectively. When you run your sink, it flushes water through the plumbing trap down your drain line.
However, when you shut off the faucet, some water remains inside the bend and the base of the web. This water acts as the blockage that seals off your pipe to ensure the smelly sewer gases don't escape. The plumbing trap also helps to prevent the drain line from clogging.
All solid particles or foods you wash down the drain line remain inside the plumbing trap. If your sink is blocked, the blockage is inside the trap. This is okay because unblocking the plumbing trap is more manageable than unclogging a blockage inside your drainage system. You can easily remove the blockage inside the P-trap with a sink plunger or a drain cleaner without the need to hire a professional to do it.
To remove the clog inside the plumbing trap, you should unscrew the fittings and remove the trap to clean it with your hands. However, make sure you place a bucket under the plumbing trap before you remove it to catch any water and waste inside the drain line and trap.
Importance of a Plumbing Trap
As mentioned above, a plumbing trap offers a practical and straightforward way to protect against health issues caused by an unhealthy plumbing system. Here are some of the significant roles that P traps play.
Stop sewer gases from entering your property
The plumbing trap uses water to stop the toxic sewer gases from entering your property. This helps in protecting your health and reduces the likelihood of developing breathing issues caused by these poisonous gases.
Minimise the risks of plumbing overflows and backups
A plumbing trap features a U-shaped bend that stops debris or pieces of food from entering the larger pipes and causing clogs. This also reduces the likelihood of your system overflowing or backing up, which can cause severe, costly damages.
Offer aesthetic benefits
Plumbing traps can be installed with decorative trim covers or rings that match the rest of your space. This makes them more appealing and accessible to clean because they don't accumulate dirt or dust like other exposed connections.
Comply with building codes
All plumbing systems in Australia should have plumbing taps as one of the building codes. This ensures that the buildings are safe for the health of the occupants. With correctly installed and functional P traps, you are sure that your system adheres to these codes and thus prevents any legal problems due to non-compliance.
Common Issues with Plumbing Traps
Here are some of the common problems that may affect your plumbing trap:
Clogs
One of the most common problems you may face with your P-trap is clogging, which leads to slow drainage or total drain blockage. The clog is mainly caused by debris build-up or accumulation of foreign objects such as food waste, soap scum, or hair. To remove the clog, you can fix the issue with a plumbing snake or plunger. If this doesn't work, you can disassemble and clean the P-trap.
Leaks
Damaged or worn-out seals, wrong installation, and loose connections can cause leaks in the P-trap. To fix the leak, you can try to secure the connections and replace any damaged or worn-out seals. If the leak persists, you should have the plumbing trap replaced.
Wrong Installation
A wrongly installed plumbing trap can cause clogs, leaks, and other issues. To solve this problem, remove the trap and install it again according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Corrosion
Corrosion in your plumbing system can also damage your P trap, leading to leaks and other system operations issues. To stop decay, you should replace the old pipes with ones made using materials that don't corrode, such as copper or PVC. Copper is an excellent material because of its rust resistance and durability.
Vibrating tap
A water hammer primarily causes a vibrating tap due to high-pressure water lines or excess flow within the drain lines. To avoid this problem, install a pressure-reducing valve in your main water pipe or increase the diameter of your drain lines.
Why Is Your Plumbing Trap Dry?
If you smell an odour coming from your drain, your plumbing trap is likely dry. The trap prevents the odour only when it has some water.
Evaporation
The plumbing trap can get dry for various reasons, but the primary cause is evaporation. If you fail to run water down your drain for an extended period, the water in the plumbing trap evaporates. It can take one month or more before the P-trap dries out.
This issue is more common if your property is in a dry area or during the cold season when you run your furnace continuously. You should run water down the drain weekly to ensure the plumbing trap doesn't dry out. This is also necessary because the water inside the plumbing trap can get smelly or nasty if not flushed regularly.
Plumbing vent stack issues
Your plumbing trap may also dry out because of problems with the plumbing vent stack sticking up through the roof. The vent stack is a crucial part of your sewage system and works by letting air get into your drain lines.
If the air doesn't mix with the water inside the system, it creates a vacuum that traps water and waste inside the plumbing system. The air helps maintain the pressure inside the pipes that hold water inside the bend of the plumbing trap.
When your toilet is flushed, this pressure draws air in through the vent stack. This also occurs when you allow water down the sink at once, like when you unplug the drain after washing dishes. If the vent stack is clogged and no air enters, the pressure that occurs when you flush your toilet can suck water from the plumbing trap, making it dry.
Unveil the Magic of Plumbing Traps with the Pros
In the intricate dance of pipes and drains in your Aussie abode, the unsung hero is undoubtedly the plumbing trap. So, what's the verdict on these curvy wonders? They're not just about trapping water; they're your stalwart defenders against sewer gas invaders, debris build-up in your kitchen sinks, and the notorious backflow brigade.
Speaking of attention, it's okay to call in the cavalry when it comes to plumbing intricacies like tankless water heaters or any trap troubleshooting beyond your DIY realm. Seeking expert plumbing assistance ensures your traps stay tip-top and your plumbing waltz remains smooth and odour-free. After all, a well-maintained plumbing system is the heartbeat of a happy home!
