The Brilliance of a P-Trap
The pipe from the base of a sink basin is attached to the main drain, carrying waste away from a house to either a septic system or a city sewer pipe.
A P-trap is a small but innovative plumbing design that has drastically impacted the well-being of all modern homes. Homeowners should be familiar with the function of a P-trap, as this specially designed pipe has various functions to make life easier for those who frequently use it.
How a P-trap works
The pipe from the base of a sink basin is attached to the main drain, carrying waste away from a house to either a septic system or a city sewer pipe. If this were a straight pipe from the sink down, the water would empty quickly but leave an empty pipe, allowing sewer gasses to move from the septic tank or city pipe backward and into the house. This gas would be unpleasant to smell and unhealthy to breathe. Instead, bending the pipe into a 180° curve, resembling the shape of the letter P, allows enough water to collect inside the pipe. The collected water creates an airtight seal that prevents the gasses from re-entering the house. P-traps are an example of simple yet brilliant engineering.
Preventing devastating clogs
Large items should never be thrown down a sink to avoid clogging the plumbing system; however, accidents are bound to happen. The clever design of a P-trap prevents large items from going too far down the plumbing system and makes it easier to open the pipe under the sink and reach the material causing the blockage. Reaching a P-trap is more accessible and less expensive than addressing a clog further down the plumbing system, though it’s often impossible to locate a clog once it’s moved too far down.
Saving small items
Another benefit of the P-trap is that it saves jewelry mistakenly dropped down the drain. Anyone who wears jewelry should remember to keep it away from the edge of the sink, but accidents happen. Luckily, the design of a P-trap means that jewelry rests at the bottom of the pipe, where it can easily be retrieved as long as the water is not run through the pipe.
Plumbing systems require innovative design and engineering. Pipes are built to use gravity to move material without extra energy. Fascination aside, homeowners should understand the basics of their plumbing systems, especially for common pipes like the bathroom sink, to avoid problems like sink clogs and lost family heirlooms.
Simba Plumbing offers residential and commercial plumbing services to Phoenix and surrounding areas. We are family-owned, meticulous and provide affordable, transparent pricing. Call us at 602-962-3537.
