A plumbing trap is a curved pipe that prevents odors and objects from entering a building’s plumbing. It works by using a U-shaped design that allows water to flow through but keeps a small amount of water out, forming a barrier against unpleasant fumes. Clogs are often found in the bend of the trap and can be cleared with a plumber’s snake, plunger, or chemical drain opener. Many traps now have a cleanout valve for easier access.
A plumbing trap is a curved pipe that sits under a plumbing fixture. A plumbing trap is an essential part of a building’s plumbing for two main reasons. The first is that a trap prevents odors from entering a building. Second, a trap also catches objects that can cause major clogs or blockages if allowed to travel further into the drainage system. Most municipalities require plumbing traps to be installed on all plumbing fixtures.
The plumbing system in a home or building typically discharges into a municipal sewer or septic tank system. In a sewer or septic system, the products in the wastewater and wastewater generate fumes and gases that most would find unpleasant at best and downright unbearable at worst. Without the siphon, gases and fumes would enter a building through the drainage system.
Hydraulic traps work by using a curved shape in the pipe. Early traps were S-shaped, but most hydraulic traps today are made in a U shape. Hydraulic traps are also often called P-traps since they resemble the shape of a P when facing a certain way.
A hydraulic trap is simple, yet extremely effective. The design allows water to flow through it, but the bend of the pipe always keeps a small amount of water out. The water remaining in the bend of the pipe forms a barrier that prevents the unpleasant fumes produced by a septic or sewage system from entering a building. The curved design is also what allows the trap to catch items that have fallen down a drain, such as jewelry, before they are fully drained.
When there is a clog or obstruction that prevents a sink or bathtub from draining effectively, the clog is often found in the bend of the trap. The plumber’s snake is a recommended tool for clearing a clogged pipe. The plumber’s snake is a wire that is inserted into the drain. The end of the cable has an auger head which allows the snake to dislodge any debris creating a blockage.
Other tips for clearing a blocked drain include using a plunger or chemical drain opener. Many plumbing siphons are now manufactured with a cleanout valve at the bottom of the bend in the pipe, to make it easier to access the siphon for cleaning and drainage.
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