What Is S Trap?
What Is S Trap?
An S-trap is a type of plumbing fixture that prevents the passage of sewer gas through the building’s drains. It does this by using a curved water seal in its design, which creates a “S” shape for the pipes it connects to.
This seal can fill with water from any one of multiple sources, creating a barrier between living spaces and toxic sewer gas.
The S-Trap also helps protect against backflow and flooding; when water pressure changes in plumbing lines, the trap automatically opens or closes to respond accordingly.
Additionally, it serves as an inspection point for plumbers and other maintenance personnel, making it easier to discern potential problems before they become too severe.
Why Is It Called An S-Trap?
An “S” trap is so named because it looks like an “S” lying on its side – it consists of a normal trap and then another trap installed upside down against it, creating the shape of an ‘S’. This plumbing defect has been found in many homes built prior to the 1950s.
The S-trap was originally meant to prevent sewage odors from entering the home through drains, but unfortunately, without proper maintenance and periodic replacement, these traps can become clogged and create severe problems for plumbing systems.
What Is The Difference Between A P-Trap And An S-Trap?
The difference between a P-trap and an S-trap lies in their shape; the former has a curved downward flow from the drain followed by a horizontal pipe that carries away the waste, while the latter flows down and curves up before curving back down again.
Both of these traps function to prevent sewer odors and gases from entering buildings. The P-trap is considered to be more effective as it creates water seal preventing odors from traveling back up through the piping system, while an S-trap does not have this ability.
Where Is An S-Trap Located?
An “S” trap is an unvented plumbing fixture, typically found in bathrooms and kitchens that is not properly vented. This type of drain catches debris, allowing it to be removed easily and preventing clogs from forming.
Commonly found fixtures with S traps include basement bathroom sinks, DIY basement bar sinks, and kitchen sinks without proper venting. Installing these traps can provide a cheap and easy way of improving drainage when the old steel pipes have become blocked or corroded beyond repair.
What Are The Advantages Of An S-Trap?
The S-trap is a plumbing device that has many advantages.
- Firstly, it prevents sewer gasses from coming up through the drain and into your house or office. This helps to keep your home safe and odour free.
- Secondly, it also traps gasses produced inside the drain as well as any odor and gasses released by wastewater to ensure that sewer odors won’t permeate inside your bathroom.
- Additionally, it provides an additional layer of protection in preventing backflow of water from washing machines or bath tubs.
Therefore, an S-trap is an important element for efficient drainage systems and helps to maintain a clean and healthy environment in your home or office.
Why Are S Traps No Longer Used In Plumbing?
S-traps are no longer used in modern plumbing because they are outdated and unsafe. The S-trap design allows the water to be completely drained from the trap, which can create a vacuum that will draw the sewer gas into your home.
Not only is the smell of this gas awful, but it can also be poisonous or explosive. This dangerous situation has made modern plumbers switch away from using the S-trap to other more secure designs such as P-traps which will keep sewer gases blocked out of your home keeping it safe and odor free.
