Choosing and installing a siphon is an important part of repairing a bathroom and kitchen. The mentioned element of plumbing simultaneously performs many important functions. In order not to clog the sewer system, this device must be installed without fail. The rest of the article describes the features of the siphon. What this element is and why it is needed, we will discuss in this material.
Varieties and Features
Siphon (or hydraulic shutter) is a mandatory part of the water supply and sewage system, due to which fetid and toxic odors will not enter the house. The choice of a water seal is an important point, since the reliability and quality of the device depend on the design and the material from which it is made.
Siphons are classified into the following varieties:
- Corrugated.
- Bottle.
- Trumpet.
The first option is a regular washbasin siphon. Its design is a corrugated pipe on a curved frame, on one side of which there is an outlet for the outflow of used water, and on the other a special adapter that connects to the sewer network. You can install such a hydraulic shutter on your own, because you will not need special skills and tools to complete this task. But the disadvantage of this type is laborious cleaning.
If the question arises: what kind of element is the bottle siphon, you can answer it this way: this water seal performs the same function as the corrugated model, but it is more difficult to disassemble and assemble it. It is recommended to connect a device of this type to a double sink, since it is possible to connect auxiliary equipment to it: tees and splitters.
Tubular water lock - a design that is a rigid curved pipe. When installing this element, it will be necessary to precisely combine the outlet of the washbasin with a sewer drain. In the pipe siphon, a water lock and an overflow are provided.
In addition, there is another variety - a hidden hydraulic shutter. This is a siphon, which has a distinctive advantage - part of it can be installed in the wall. This is an expensive device, but with it you can free up some space in a small bathroom.
Siphons are plastic and metal (made of bronze, brass or stainless steel).
Additional items
Auxiliary elements can be installed on the siphon:
The first structural part is needed if plumbing is connected to the water lock (for example, a dishwasher). The side entrance will be located between the siphon and the neck of the washbasin. In addition, you can install several of these parts.
Overflow - an additional pipe for draining water into the sewer. To avoid unpleasant episodes associated with flooding the kitchen or the bathroom, it is better to equip the water seal with this element.
It is recommended to install a siphon with overflow and side entrance, as it is a safe and functional design.
Water lock for the kitchen sink: selection criteria
Before buying this item, you need to choose a model taking into account the following important factors:
- The type of sink to which the siphon will be connected. Choosing equipment for a conventional washbasin is simple, but for sinks made to order, you will have to carefully select a water seal. The best option in this case is a corrugated variety, but sometimes a bottle siphon is also connected. You should know: a rigid tubular type is suitable only for standard plumbing.
- The kitchen siphon should look harmoniously against the background of the design of the room.
- For intensive use of the sink, you will need to install large diameter pipes.
- The presence or absence of overflow in the design.
- The cost of the siphon depends on the material from which it is made. For example, stainless steel equipment has a high price, and plastic water locks are cheap and reliable varieties.
Shower trap
To make the water seal easier to clean, an inspection hole must be made during its installation. But if the siphon has an overflow neck with a diameter of 90 cm, then you can clean it through the drain. In addition, when choosing this equipment, you need to consider several key points:
- The diameter of the siphon should coincide with the same indicator of the drain hole of the shower tray, therefore it is necessary to measure it and select the device according to the data received.
- The capacity of the hydraulic seal is an important parameter on which the rate of water discharge depends. For a low pallet, a siphon with a diameter of 62 mm should be bought, and for a high one - 90 mm.
- The structure will periodically have to be cleaned of hair, so it is better to install water locks with a special mesh.
To install a new siphon, it is enough to unscrew the old drain neck, and then dismantle the device and in the reverse order connect the new element to the sewer system. The main thing is to make tight joints with a fum tape, and if you ignore this requirement, the wastewater will leak to the floor.
Siphon: mounting features
You can install a water lock yourself. To perform these works, you need to carefully read the instructions and have the minimum skills for working with plumbing equipment. In addition, such tools may come in handy:
- screwdriver;
- yardstick;
- fine sandpaper;
- construction scissors for cutting pipes.
If you need to replace the old siphon, first you need to dismantle it. This can be done easily: with a screwdriver, unscrew the drain screw and remove the broken hydraulic lock. But sometimes the connecting parts are stuck, so they must be treated with a special solution (for example, WD-40).
Before starting installation work, you should check whether all connections, pipes, gaskets and other parts are in place. The next step is to connect the equipment. To connect the siphon, you need to perform the following simple operations:
- Slide the flat gasket over the large opening of the water seal.
- Screw the bonnet cap on top.
- Pull cone gasket onto nut.
- On the pipe, which then will need to be attached to the kitchen sink, put on a nut and insert it into the upper hole of the siphon. Threaded connections must be carefully tightened.
- Connect the corrugated pipe and put the union nut on it.
- Tighten cone gasket.
- Screw the pipe to the water seal.
The siphon for the washing machine is installed using the same technology. Sometimes you will have to use special couplings (adapters). In addition, instead of a corrugation, a rigid tap can be connected to the sewer.
Conclusion
It is not necessary to call plumbing to replace the siphon. What kind of device it was was described in detail in the article, so you should not have problems with the installation work with your own hands. The main condition is to carefully study the instructions and the structure of the hydraulic seal, since this way you can understand which variety needs to be installed. Masters recommend connecting plastic siphons to the sewer: they are reliable and inexpensive.