Waste Traps Replacement By iFixxer
Waste traps are vital components of every home's plumbing system. These are designed to sit beneath the appliances such as sink, bathtub and shower. The waste trap functions by creating a water trap which reduces the bad smells or foul odours, harmful gases and debris from rising back up through the drain, thus ensuring a clean and healthy environment at your home.
The plumbing system deals with a lot of waste, which leads to a large build-up of bad smelling gas which you will want to prevent entering your building.
Let’s have a brief introduction about its working
Every sink, wash basin requires a water trap at the connection point into the waste pipework. This water trap provides a water seal between the appliances and the external drains which prevent smells, insects and bacteria from coming back to the waste pipework of your building. Moreover, the trap will only work and prevent smells when it has water inside which provides the water seal.
Moving further, the trap size will depend on the type of appliance you are using and the size of your waste pipework. Generally, the following types of appliances and internal pipe diameters with the standard sizes of waste trap and pipework:
Wash hand basins: 32mm (1 ¼ inch).
Sinks: 38mm (1 ½ inch).
Urinals: 38mm (1 ½ inch), or 50mm (2 inch).
Functioning of the Water Traps
It provides a water seal in the pipework which effectively isolates the appliance from the drainage system. Moreover, it is mandatory that the depth of seal should be a minimum of 75mm that complies with new building regulations where waste water discharges into a single stack waste system.
Over the passage of time, due to wear and tear or clogging, sometimes developing leaks, waste traps can become less effective or even dysfunctional, necessitating its replacement. If these issues are left unrepaired, they can lead to costly damage.
Very often people are not aware about the problem existing with their waste traps until they notice a water pool under their sink or bath. Therefore, it is very important to report this problem as soon as possible to iFixxer - a fast and responsive plumbing service.
Our plumbers will identify the problem and make any necessary repairs to your waste trap if required, otherwise, a complete replacement will be advisable.
In this introduction, we have briefly discussed the waste traps, standard sizes of the drain pipe diameters and the functioning and importance of the traps in our plumbing system. Now, let's delve into some general questions that often forge people's interests.
Some General Questions
Is there a need for a water trap in every plumbing fixture?
Due to the shape of the trap, it retains some water after the fixture's use (fixtures such as sinks, bathtubs and showers) because the water creates an air seal which prevents the passing of the sewer gas (foul odour) from the drain pipes back into the property. Therefore, it is essential for all plumbing fixtures to be equipped with either an internal or external trap.
Is it important that every drain needs a trap?
Traps are installed in every drain because any connection that leads to the drain system can potentially become an outlet for sewer gas. Even your toilet has an internal trap shaped within its porcelain design that fulfils the same and important function.
9 Problems for the Replacement of Waste Traps
As we have already discussed in detail about the waste traps in the introduction, now we will confer about the problems that find the need for its replacement in the home plumbing system. Let’s talk about them one by one.
Blockages
Waste traps get clogged due to the accumulation of debris, grease, hair, and soap scum with the regularly occurring home activities. These blockages restrict the flow of water and certainly lead to slow drainage and backups.
Leaks
Leakage is a common issue with waste water traps. It occurs due to cracks, corrosion or worn-out seals that can result in water or sewage leakage, thus, leading to water damage and presence of unpleasant odours.
Corrosion
As the time passes, metal waste traps get susceptible to corrosion particularly in the regions where the hard water exists or there is a chemical exposure. This corrosion process gradually erodes the trap which enhances the risk of leaks.
Wear and Tear
The daily usage of waste traps can cause them to wear out which reduces their effectiveness over time. For example, seals deteriorate due to wear and tear.
Ageing Components
Older waste traps may not function as efficiently as newer models will be and this is due to the natural ageing of materials. Therefore, replacing them can enhance the system's functionality.
Incorrect Installation
Poorly installed waste traps can result in issues such as improper angles or inadequate sealing, which may necessitate replacement to rectify the problem.
Upgrading for Efficiency
Homeowners often choose to replace waste traps to upgrade to more efficient, water-saving, or environmentally friendly options, which can reduce water consumption and utility costs.
Regulatory Compliance
Changes in plumbing codes and regulations may require homeowners to replace old waste traps with compliant fixtures to meet safety and environmental standards.
Damage
Physical damage, such as impact or freezing, can harm waste traps and require replacement to restore proper function.
In summary, waste traps can experience blockages, leaks, corrosion, wear and tear, ageing, incorrect installation, and physical damage, leading to their replacement. Addressing these issues promptly is essential to maintain a functioning plumbing system and prevent water damage, unpleasant odours, and other related problems in the home.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures can help extend the lifespan of waste pipe traps and minimise the need for replacement. Here are some strategies to be considered:
Regular Maintenance
It is mandatory to implement a routine schedule for the maintenance of waste water traps by:
Inspecting and cleaning waste pipe traps.
Removing the deposition of debris or any buildup that could lead to the blockages.
Therefore, cleaning can be very simple such as disassembling the trap and removing any accumulated material along the sides of the pipes.
Use Drain Screens or Strainers
By installing the drain screens or strainers in showers, sinks and other fixtures to catch the debris before it enters into the waste pipe trap. Doing this will prevent any deposited clogs and also reduces the strain on the trap.
Avoid Disposing of Harmful Materials
It is obligatory to prevent any disposal of grease, oil, paper towels, food scraps, sanitary products or other non-flushable items down the toilets or drains. These materials will ultimately lead to blockages and damage the traps.
Proper Installation
It is very important to ensure that waste pipe traps are installed correctly with the appropriate angles and seals, because proper installation can prevent leaks and other issues in the longer run.
Use Enzymatic Drain Cleaners
Enzymatic drain cleaners are used for maintaining the cleanliness of your waste pipes by breaking down the organic matter for easy flow which will prevent blockages. On that account, it is better to avoid harsh chemical drain cleaners as they can corrode and damage water traps.
Prevent Freezing
In colder climates, insulating pipes will not only protect your waste pipe traps from getting freezed but also ensure the proper drainage to avoid building up of ice.
Upgrade to More Durable Materials
Always consider the replacement of old and deteriorating waste water traps with more durable and sturdy materials such as PVC and ABS, as these are less susceptible to corrosion.
Regular Plumbing Inspections
If you notice any plumbing problem, then schedule periodic plumbing inspections by a professional to identify the early signs of plumbing drawbacks without any delay. Therefore, catching problems beforehand, can not only prevent it from getting worse, but also can fend off the need for extensive replacements.
Educate Household Members
It is paramount to teach the pros and cons to every member of the house about draining flushable and non-flushable items down the drains and toilets to prevent unnecessary stress or blockages in the waste pipe traps.
Monitor Water Pressure
It is required to install a pressure regulator if there is a high water pressure. This is done to maintain the safe pressure levels because it can strain plumbing components including waste pipe traps.
Wherefore, by implementing the above-mentioned preventive measures, every homeowner can prolong the lifespan of your waste pipe traps by reducing the likelihood of the need of the replacements. Moreover, regular maintenance, responsible usage and early detection of plumbing issues can not only save you money in the longer run but also ensure a proper functioning of the plumbing system at your home.
Services by iFixxer
iFixxer - a well-established platform that provides a multitude of advantages to the general public such as convenience, expertise, time savings and cost-efficiency. Looking ahead, the plumbing tradespeople at iFixxer offer specific replacement solutions for waste pipe fittings that includes the following:
Shower Tray Trap Waste Replacement
Shower Drain Gully Trap Waste Replacement
Bath Trap Replacement
Hand Basin Trap Replacement
Kitchen Sink Trap Replacement
Hand Basin Chrome Bottle Trap Replacement
If you believe or have noticed, you’ve got a leaking waste trap, then book an appointment with a iFixxer today. Our skilled plumbers offer a waste trap waste trap replacement service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.