Know Your Waste Traps
The function of a waste trap is to create a seal of water which stops unpleasant smells coming into the home from the drainage system and pipes through the plug holes of sinks and baths. There are a number of different waste traps designed for specific uses.
The tubular trap comes in either a p-shape or an s-shape; which shape is used will depend on the position of the pipe. This type of trap can be used with all kinds of waste pipes, but is most commonly found on baths. The whole trap needs to be removed for cleaning.
The bottle trap is only used for sinks and washbasins and has been responsible for saving many objects dropped down the plug hole from becoming lodged in the pipes, or lost into the sewer or septic system. Bottle traps can be unscrewed and removed for easy cleaning.
A bath trap is a p-shape tubular waste trap with a bendable pipe linking it to the bath’s overflow outlet. Some bath traps have a cleaning cap which can be removed to get to the trap without having to remove it completely.
A washing machine trap is also p-shape, and has a long pipe into which the washing machine’s waste hose is fed. This trap can be loosened and detached for cleaning.
The anti-siphon bottle trap is designed for use in sinks where a heavy flow of water causes occasional difficulties. This trap allows air to come in and stop the seal from being lost due to a heavy water flow.
Waste traps are rarely thought about by most homeowners until there is a problem with them. Understanding what kind of waste traps you have around the house and cleaning them regularly can help to save you from more complicated maintenance or repair chores that may result from neglect.
